SENATORS TAKE STOCK ON THE ICE AFTER LONG FLIGHT TO STOCKHOLM
The Ottawa Senators didn’t waste any time getting back to work after landing in Sweden on Tuesday.
After a seven-hour flight to Stockholm that arrived in the wee hours of the morning back home, players took a one-hour skate at the Ericsson Globe arena to try to get better accustomed to the six-hour time difference as quickly as possible.
Preparing to face the Colorado Avalanche in National Hockey League games on Friday and Saturday, the Senators went through their paces under the watchful eye of head coach Guy Boucher, who opted to give players Wednesday off, getting back to business for practice on Thursday.
A lot of Senators players got some rest on the flight overseas, but were still battling to stay awake after the plane landed at what would be 6 a.m. Ottawa time. Boucher and assistant coaches Marc Crawford, Rob Cookson, Martin Raymond and Pierre Groulx felt this approach was necessary.
“I’ve done this quite a bit, plus I’ve coached and lived in Europe,” said Boucher, who has been on a Hockey Canada team staff nine times. “I’ve done these travels quite a bit in this type of setting, where you’ve got to come in and take care of the jet lag.
“It’s always good to come right off the plane and get going, and that’s what we did. We’ve had two really good practice days.”
The task is a little more difficult because the Senators are trying to ensure newly acquired centre Matt Duchene is accustomed to their style by the time he debuts against his former Colorado teammates.
“We’ve had some disruption because of the trade and I think that’s been dealt with very well,” Boucher added.
“What we’re trying to do is make Duchene figure out our systems and how we do things as fast as we can. At the same time, we’re trying to make him feel comfortable.
“Hopefully, come Friday, his head’s not too filled with things he needs to think about and he just goes out and there plays.”
The players expressed appreciation for the opportunity to come to Stockholm for meaningful games at this time of the season.
“It’s great opportunity for us as players and for the NHL,” alternate captain Dion Phaneuf said. “We’re here for a reason. We’re here to showcase the game and we’re here to build the brand of the NHL, and it just shows the commitment from the league trying to do that …
“Pre-season games is one thing. When you play for real, meaningful points at mid-season, it shows a commitment from the league and a commitment from the players. We’re trying to grow our game. I think it’s very fitting to be here in Stockholm.
“Sweden has got some very good hockey talent, it’s a hockey country and we’re here to showcase the game. It’s not ideal with the travel in mid-season, but it’s what it is. Both teams are in the same boat. We’ll try to get changed over on the time and then we’ll go out (on) Friday and try to win a game.”
The Senators know they have a lot of work ahead of them on this trip.
“I wouldn’t say people felt the best out there on the ice, but I think it’s just part of the process that’s going to make us feel the best coming into the next two games,” winger Mike Hoffman said. “We know today and tomorrow are probably going to be pretty tough on the bodies, getting used to the time change over here.”
Boucher’s last piece of advice to Senators players was to try to stay awake as long as they could Tuesday, again with the goal of adjusting to the time difference. They were invited to a post-practice reception at the Canadian Embassy, after which most of the players had dinner plans.
“Try to stay up as long as you can for the good reasons, not the bad reason,” he said with a smile.
Phaneuf said Senators players were focused on the task at hand.
“It’s a great experience, it’s a fun experience, but we know it’s work,” he said. “We’re here to win a hockey game on Friday and then we’ll worry about Saturday.”
I’ve done these travels quite a bit in this type of setting, where you’ve got to come in and take care of the jet lag.