Devils LW Pandolfo returns to ice

Feb 5, 2008 - 5:15 AM NEWARK, New Jersey (Ticker) - After missing 28 games with an abdominal injury, New Jersey Devils left wing Jay Pandolfo returned to the ice in Monday's 4-3 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pandolfo, who had not played since crashing hard into the end boards on November 28 against the Dallas Stars, was back in his familiar spot on the Devils' checking line with center John Madden and right wing David Clarkson.

The 33-year-old Massachusetts native did not record a point in 13 minutes, 20 seconds of ice time and found himself benched for the third period.

"Oh, yeah, I deserved it," he said. "On their third goal, I didn't get the puck out (of our zone). Then I made a mistake in coverage. I made a couple of mistakes and it cost us. I felt pretty good physically. Mentally, maybe I wasn't there enough."

A Selke Trophy finalist last season, Pandolfo has eight goals and five assists in 26 games this season. He has spent his entire 10-year career with New Jersey, totaling 86 goals and 107 assists in 677 games.