More bad ice at The Rock

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.

“I had no idea,” Langenbrunner said. “By then, I had lost the puck so many times, I was just trying to throw it to the net.”

John Madden also had trouble with a bouncing puck on his mini breakaway with 1:14 left in regulation. He eventually just tried flipping the puck at Gerber and it hit him in the chest for an easy save.

“I was waiting for it to settle down and it just never did,” Madden said. “The ice is horrible, especially late in games. I got the puck at the blue line and I was skating with it and it never sat down once. I threw it on net, hoping he would guess wrong, and he made a good save again.”

Madden was able to make a much better move on his shorthanded breakaway in the last minute of the first period, faking a backhand before pulling the puck back to his forehand, but Gerber stuck out his right pad to make the save.

“I actually made a great move, I thought,’ Madden said. “He just made a better save. He laid the pads down and made a nice stop on it.”

Other items from tonight’s win:

**Gionta’s game-winner was his first goal since Jan. 10 in Carolina, but Devils coach Brent Sutter said he’s been happy with the way he’s been playing lately. “Brian has been playing very well in the last few games,” Sutter said. “Tonight, he battled. He was in tough areas. He’s been doing that of late and getting scoring opportunities.”

It was an odd coincidence that Gionta, who wears No. 14, scored his first goal in 14 games and scored it at 2:14 of overtime on the day before Valentines Day (2/14). Gionta also took a hooking penalty at 14:14 of the third period.

**The announced crowd of 12,339 was the smallest of the season at Prudential Center.

            

**It was a bit surprising that the Senators broke up their powerful first line of Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson. Alfredsson was moved down to the second line with center Mike Fisher and left wing Cory Stillman, who was acquired from Carolina on Monday in a trade that also brought defenseman Mike Commodore to Ottawa for Patrick Eaves and Joe Corvo.

Dean McAmmond moved up to take Alfredsson’s spot with Heatley and Spezza. Spezza picked up an assist on Luke Richardson’s first period goal, but that line was mostly quiet.

“I didn’t really think much of it,” said Madden, who still played head-to-head against the Spezza line. “I don’t know. Maybe they’re trying to get Cory Stillman into the mix and see how he’s fitting into the puzzle. There’s many reasons why you do it.

Replacing Corvo at the point on the power play appeared to be a problem for Senators tonight. Stillman struggled at the point tonight. He gave the puck away to Madden for his shorthanded breakaway and backed off and gave Langenbrunner room to shoot on his shorthanded goal in the second period.

Comments

[Brian]

I haven't heard much about the ice like earlier in the year. Has the ice been bad for awhile now and I haven't been noticing, or is this related to that computer problem that they blamed for bad ice on earlier in the year?

[jules]

What happened to having the best ice in the league?

Knew attendance wouldn't be the greatest. Ottawa, midweek game, terrible weather, and of course, terrible prices. I did think it looked like more, though.

[Xander Crews]

TG

You forgot to mention it was also Giontas 14th goal of the season.

[aarrghhh]

So, THAT'S why everyone looked like they were skating with 10 pound weights in their skates.

The second period was pretty good (but alot of it was half-court because of the calls), but that was not the best game to ever be played. Good win, though.

As for the ice, whoever asked, the ice has almost been consistantly horrible. Really horrible. Like the players say, the puck never sits.

But, if they can't figure out people don't like $100 upper deck seats, what makes you think they know how to properly operate an ice system? :)

[TG]

That's a good one on goal No. 14 for Gionta. I can't believe I missed that.

[Brodeur30]

Finally Gio gets a much needed goal! Just a bonus that it was a game winner. That's his first goal since Jan 10th I believe......take note Gio of where you scored that goal from! Get out front more often!

[Mark Krulish - NYS]

Obviously the Senators wanted to get Alfredsson away from Jay Pandolfo (why him and not Dany Heatley?) If they were smart, they would've moved Spezza off the top line and replaced him with Fisher. Fisher produced wonderfully with Spezza out of the lineup and Spezza should easily be able to play with Cory Stillman and form another potent scoring line.

But, hell, what do I know? I'm a lowly sports magazine intern, I'm not in the NHL.

[Mike M]

TG-

Was the ice bad because it was overtime, or do the problems from earlier in the season persist?

One think I have noticed is its unusually hot in there for hockey game.

[Sal from Garfield]

Tg mentioned how the computer for controlling the ice malfunctions when it's on autopilot, but the ice surface is better when it's done manually. My guess is that they still haven't worked out the kinks just yet.

Mike M- I noticed the same thing. I'm not freezing in PRU like I was in CAA. It's actually quite comfortable, but if it comes at the expense of the ice, I'll bundle up.

[MoonDragn]

Hmmm, its odd that last time Gionta scored was on my birthday LOL.

I wonder what the heck I wished for.

[Mike]

So I guess we should expect Gio to score #15 on March 15th, or 15 games from now ?

[Mike]

So I guess we should expect Gio to score #15 on March 15th, or 15 games from now ?

[JJ]

If I'm not mistaken, wasn't the ice system in Pru supposed to be "state of the art"??? I am frankly appalled that we have bad ice, it's just disgraceful. New building built specifically FOR hockey!!!! Geez you'd think that by the 21st century the engineers would be able to figure this stuff out, it's not like refrigeration was just invented. Not only does bad ice affect the play but the team invests millions of dollars in it's players, and for someone to get injured because the ice sucks would just be a shame. System on auto-pilot or not, they'd better figure something before the playoffs because a 2 OT game on an 80 degree day in May will be too late.

[Brodie30]

The ice could also be accounted for that 3 foot bounce on the Sens first goal. The ice seems to have been better from what I can see, last night being an exception. It still has never been 'the best ice in the NHL' like they were hoping. It's a shame because against most teams fast ice benefits NJ.

[95Crash]

Someone mentioned that the building in general is hot. I noticed it, too, at a couple of games early on in the season. I was walking around the corridors sweating bullets. I had to stuff my jacket under my seat, take my jersey off, and watch the game in a T-shirt and jeans! I am afraid what it's going to be like inside the Rock during the playoffs, when the outside temperature starts heating up again.

[TG]

The puck bounced on Richardson's goal because it deflected off David Clarkson.

[Brodie30]

I just looked at the scheduled events at Prudential and last nights game followed 2 concerts, a basketball game, and the two preceding Devils games. One of it's busiest weeks to date. Being a busy arena is why MSG's ice is the worst in history and it's something that arenas in real metropolitan areas have to deal with. I feel a little better now.

[Jason]

Still no excuse. All we heard going into this new building was how it was going to have state of the art ice. They spared no expense...etc...etc. So who is being held accountable?