(Note: Occasionally, I'll report on news coming out about our beloved arena, the Prudential Center in downtown Newark.  Sometimes it'll be news about big events coming to the arena, and other times it'll be photo expeditions to new features in and around the continually-developing complex.  I call it 'The Rock Files') 

via media.nj.com

Perhaps the reason all of us love the Prudential Center so much is that not only is it our home, it's part of a battle against the evil folks who run our old home.  Ever since The Rock opened in 2007, they've been fighting a war of words and bookings with the Izod Center at the Meadowlands Complex (Formerly known as Continental Airlines Arena) where our boys played for their first 25 years of existence.

Since then, it's been fairly knock-down drag out, with fans, politicians, and even Governor Corzine weighing in on the issue.  But frankly, none of that matters if one arena takes major events/teams away from the other.  Well, the good folks in Newark struck a big victory today when, according to the Star-Ledger, they beat out a directly competing Izod Center (as well as Madison Square Garden) to win the host spot for the 2011 NCAA East Regional Finals.  Meaning Newark will showcase games from the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.  Fellow tenants Seton Hall University will host. 

There's also a chance The Rock could be selected to host the event in 2013 as well.  All of this strikes us as good news for the Devils, Seton Hall, Prudential Center and the entire city of Newark.