Playing Devils' Advocate

I have to credit Dad with the title of this post, otherwise it would have been something boring.

IT'S LIGHT OUT!

For the next venue in the New York area, we journeyed to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.  Unlike the last two arenas, this one was build within the last decade, so it features all the nice amenities that a stadium should have.  In the amount of amenities it is much higher up than Madison Square Garden, and above Nassau, especially because transit from downtown Manhattan is easier than it is to Long Island, for some reason.

This is another venue built for the hockey team, so you get some interesting Devils-related bits.  Like Champion’s Park outside the arena, with this gigantic statue.

It's Humangous big!

The walking area was lush and open (admittedly it was a rare day game, so the outer windows were letting in sunlight), there were ample facilities, so lines didn’t really form except during intermissions.  Wide, multi-story concourses allowed the sellout crowd ample room to get to and from their seats.

Our seats were simply spectacular, right behind the goalie in row 1 of the balcony.  We saw everything in the game, especially Ilya Kovalchuk’s penalty shot goal.

 

Everything about the game was great.  The Devils were hosting divisional rivals Pittsburgh (still without Sidney Crosby (there, I mentioned Sidney Crosby, so my hits will go up 100000000000000%, BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA) who has no real timetable for his return).  The game wasn’t really that close, due mainly to the excellent play of Martin Brodeur, one of the best to ever play between the pipes.

We debated if his number will be retired on Opening Night the year after he retires or not.

Yeah, it was pretty awesome.  The Devils won by a score of 3-1.  There were some tense moments in the 3rd when Pittsburgh scored to cut the lead to 1, but the Devils outplayed them for most of the game.

Now, of course, I can finally post the updated Board! No shocks this time around, just new pins in the NYC area.