EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Stanley Cup will spend a day or two with the Niedermayers this summer.
The only question is whether New Jersey defenseman Scott Niedermayer or Anaheim center Rob Niedermayer will be the one taking the big trophy back to British Columbia.
The Niedermayers will become the first brothers to play against each other in the Cup finals since 1946 when the Devils and Mighty Ducks begin play Tuesday night.
The last brothers to play each other for the Cup were Boston's Terry Reardon and Montreal's Kenny Reardon.
"As kids growing up, being competitive, we were always playing against each other, so I guess it's only fitting that we're doing it in the Stanley Cup finals," said Rob Niedermayer, who came to Anaheim in a deal with Calgary this season.
The Niedermayers have had very different careers.
An All-Star defenseman with the Devils, Scott has won two Cups and was a member of Canada's gold-medal winning Olympic team. Rob is finally starting to play his best hockey after stops in Florida and Calgary.
"I just wouldn't like to be the parents," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said. "Brothers are brothers, but when you get to the parents, that's a little different. It's just weird."
The family feud on ice isn't all that rare. Scott and Rob have faced off at least once or twice a season since joining the NHL in the 1990s. They even went head-to-head in the playoffs in 2000, when the Devils swept Rob and the Panthers in the first round en route to winning their second title.
This time it's different. It's brothers competing for the biggest prize after battling through three rounds of the playoffs.
At this point, anything goes. But there will be no insults directed at the opposing player's mother.
The brothers talked briefly Saturday by telephone, a day after the Devils beat Ottawa in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Anaheim swept Minnesota in the Western Conference, and has been waiting for more than a week to find out its opponent.
"I am sure everyone is excited about it," Scott said. "My mom (Carol), it might not be an easy situation for her. I guess she probably wishes we both could end up winning, but that's not the case."
Scott, who at 29 is a year older than Rob, did his best to keep his emotions hidden, calling the experience fun.
Neither Niedermayer intends to ease up at this point, especially when the other is on the ice.
"You see who it is and you play it the same way you would," Scott said.
Rob agreed.
"We both know each of us has a job to do out there," he said. "It's something that, for two weeks, we both understand that. Afterward, we can look back and talk about it. It should be pretty special."
Rob is hoping to get a little advantage this round. Because Scott already has won two championships, he's looking for a little extra support at home.
"I haven't asked them who they're going to cheer for. I hope they're siding with me," he said.
The brothers are close. They used to spend summers camping, fishing and hiking. They cut back after Scott got married and started a family. Rob is still a bachelor.
"We were like any brothers, but he was great," Rob said. "He's always been very supportive. He kind of went through everything first, like with hockey, and he's always helped me out, given me advice, because he experienced it before I went through it."
One of Scott's favorite moments in hockey involves Rob.
The two were playing for their hometown of Cranbrook for a provincial title against undefeated Prince George. Rob was 12 and Scott was 13.
"We managed to win that game and my brother had four goals and was the star of that game," Scott said. "It was pretty neat. The littlest guy, the youngest guy won the game for us."
Scott is hoping the not-so-little and still youngest brother doesn't come up big again.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/5946051.htm
The only question is whether New Jersey defenseman Scott Niedermayer or Anaheim center Rob Niedermayer will be the one taking the big trophy back to British Columbia.
The Niedermayers will become the first brothers to play against each other in the Cup finals since 1946 when the Devils and Mighty Ducks begin play Tuesday night.
The last brothers to play each other for the Cup were Boston's Terry Reardon and Montreal's Kenny Reardon.
"As kids growing up, being competitive, we were always playing against each other, so I guess it's only fitting that we're doing it in the Stanley Cup finals," said Rob Niedermayer, who came to Anaheim in a deal with Calgary this season.
The Niedermayers have had very different careers.
An All-Star defenseman with the Devils, Scott has won two Cups and was a member of Canada's gold-medal winning Olympic team. Rob is finally starting to play his best hockey after stops in Florida and Calgary.
"I just wouldn't like to be the parents," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur said. "Brothers are brothers, but when you get to the parents, that's a little different. It's just weird."
The family feud on ice isn't all that rare. Scott and Rob have faced off at least once or twice a season since joining the NHL in the 1990s. They even went head-to-head in the playoffs in 2000, when the Devils swept Rob and the Panthers in the first round en route to winning their second title.
This time it's different. It's brothers competing for the biggest prize after battling through three rounds of the playoffs.
At this point, anything goes. But there will be no insults directed at the opposing player's mother.
The brothers talked briefly Saturday by telephone, a day after the Devils beat Ottawa in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Anaheim swept Minnesota in the Western Conference, and has been waiting for more than a week to find out its opponent.
"I am sure everyone is excited about it," Scott said. "My mom (Carol), it might not be an easy situation for her. I guess she probably wishes we both could end up winning, but that's not the case."
Scott, who at 29 is a year older than Rob, did his best to keep his emotions hidden, calling the experience fun.
Neither Niedermayer intends to ease up at this point, especially when the other is on the ice.
"You see who it is and you play it the same way you would," Scott said.
Rob agreed.
"We both know each of us has a job to do out there," he said. "It's something that, for two weeks, we both understand that. Afterward, we can look back and talk about it. It should be pretty special."
Rob is hoping to get a little advantage this round. Because Scott already has won two championships, he's looking for a little extra support at home.
"I haven't asked them who they're going to cheer for. I hope they're siding with me," he said.
The brothers are close. They used to spend summers camping, fishing and hiking. They cut back after Scott got married and started a family. Rob is still a bachelor.
"We were like any brothers, but he was great," Rob said. "He's always been very supportive. He kind of went through everything first, like with hockey, and he's always helped me out, given me advice, because he experienced it before I went through it."
One of Scott's favorite moments in hockey involves Rob.
The two were playing for their hometown of Cranbrook for a provincial title against undefeated Prince George. Rob was 12 and Scott was 13.
"We managed to win that game and my brother had four goals and was the star of that game," Scott said. "It was pretty neat. The littlest guy, the youngest guy won the game for us."
Scott is hoping the not-so-little and still youngest brother doesn't come up big again.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/5946051.htm
