When the Devils moved to the Prudential Center, one of their new commodities was a state-of the-art playing surface. However, they are still having problems with the ice. In fact, the "soft" ice issues, which have plagued New Jersey since competing in the Continental Airlines Arena for many years, have apparently traveled to Newark. According to Tom Gulitti, the below par refrigeration system may have assisted the Devils in their 3-2 overtime win over Ottawa last night.

"The lousy ice at Prudential Center actually might have helped Brian Gionta score his winning goal 2:14 into the overtime. The puck bounced around so many times on Jamie Langenbrunner that he had to spin around just to get a soft backhand on net. That gave Gionta plenty of time to get to the front of the net and be in position to put the rebound between Martin Gerber’s pads."

From my perspective, I did not notice any severe problems with the ice on Gionta's game winner. I realized some odd bounces in regulation but Gionta's finishing touch seemed to be a moment of good timing and some luck.

After Langenbrunner backhanded the puck towards Senators goaltender Martin Gerber, Gionta found the loose rebound and deposited his first goal in a 13-game period. Elias added the other assist, finishing the night with two helpers for the second consecutive game.

Elias has actually been the Devils best forward this month. He has two goals, six assists and a plus 8, leading New Jersey to a 4-2-1 record thus far.

This is not the first time I am hearing about the $375 million arena's soft ice. In early December, Gulitti had raised the issue with Devils GM and President Lou Lamoriello.

To quote myself,

"I am confident that team owner Jeff (Vanderbeek) and Lou have hired the professionals to fix the refrigeration system and that the Prudential Center's ice will be the premier in the league.  For the time being, the Devils will continue to skate and hopefully maintain their balance."

 

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