In the heart of New Jersey, an unexpected sports legend emerged on March 11, 2025, at the Prudential Center during a Devils home game. The unlikely hero wasn’t a hockey player but an anthropomorphic Mrs. Fields cookie mascot who finally claimed victory in the arena’s popular dessert race after an astonishing 29 consecutive losses. This animated jumbotron race, featuring competitors representing different arena sections, has become a beloved tradition during game stoppages at Devils games. Mrs. Fields’ underdog triumph sparked a celebration that rivaled the reaction to actual gameplay, proving that sometimes the sweetest victories happen off the ice.
The Dessert Race Phenomenon
The New Jersey Devils dessert race has become a cherished game-day tradition for fans attending home games at the Prudential Center. This animated competition features three anthropomorphic cartoon characters racing across the jumbotron during game breaks: a swirled ice cream cone named Twist, an Auntie Anne’s pretzel, and the determined Mrs. Fields cookie. Each character represents a different section of the arena, giving fans something to cheer for beyond the hockey action.
The race isn’t just background entertainment – it’s evolved into a passionate fan experience. Spectators track the standings throughout the season, with some even placing friendly wagers on the outcomes. Before the fateful March race, Twist dominated the standings with 16 victories, while Auntie Anne’s had racked up 13 wins. Mrs. Fields, however, had become famous for an entirely different reason: her remarkable losing streak.
What started as simple intermission entertainment has transformed into a cultural phenomenon within the Devils fanbase. I’ve noticed that these mascot races create instant community among spectators, with strangers high-fiving and commiserating based on their section’s performance. The simple animations have spawned merchandise, social media discussions, and have become part of the hockey experience in New Jersey.
The Historic Cookie Comeback
The fateful evening of March 11, 2025, began like any other game night as the Devils faced off against the Columbus Blue Jackets. With the Devils leading 3-2 during the second period, the jumbotron lit up for the nightly dessert derby. What happened next would go down in Prudential Center lore. Against all odds and historical precedent, the perpetually losing Mrs. Fields cookie mascot pulled ahead in the final stretch, securing her first-ever victory in dramatic fashion.
The significance of this win cannot be overstated – it came after a staggering 29 consecutive losses. The arena announcer’s voice cracked with excitement as he declared, “You love to see good things happen to good cookies!” This perfectly captured the sentiment of thousands of fans who had witnessed this historic upset. Many longtime attendees later admitted they had never expected to see Mrs. Fields win in their lifetime.
What made this victory even more special was the context. The Devils were having a solid night on the ice, eventually defeating the Blue Jackets