Sens hit the ground running in Sweden
No rest for the wicked: Ottawa hits the ice after flight to Stockholm
STOCKHOLM — The Ottawa Senators didn’t waste any time going to work after landing in Stockholm Tuesday morning.
There was no rest for the weary and that was always the plan.
After taking a seven-hour flight to Stockholm Monday night that arrived in the wee hours of the morning back home, the Senators took a one-hour skate at the Ericsson Globe Tuesday afternoon to try to get accustomed to the sixhour time difference as quickly as possible during this short trip overseas.
Preparing to face the Colorado Avalanche in back-to-back series that gets under way Friday night, the Senators went through the paces under the watchful eye of coach Guy Boucher and he’s opted to give the players Wednesday off so they can get down to business when they return to the ice Thursday morning.
Yes, the Senators appreciate the opportunity to play in Stockholm, but they know the time change is going to be difficult to overcome which is why they skated. A lot of the players got some rest on the flight over but they were still battling to stay awake because the plane landed at 6 a.m. EST.
Boucher along with assistants Marc Crawford, Rob Cookson, Martin Raymond and Pierre Groulx felt this approach was paramount.
“I’ve done this quite a bit plus I’ve coached and lived in Europe,” said Boucher, who has been on a Hockey Canada staff nine times in his career. “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 make sure centre Matt Duchene is accustomed to the style the club plays by the time he makes his debut against his former Colorado teammates Friday.
“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 appreciate the opportunity to come over here to play two meaningful games at this time of year. This is the first time the league has tried going this route and this is a way for the league to grow the game.
“It’s great opportunity for us as players and for the NHL,” said alternate captain Dion Phaneuf. “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.
“Putting NHL regular season games (here) is a big step forward. 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 idea 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 and Friday and try to win a game.”
The Senators tried to get as much rest as they could on the flight over because they know they’ve got a lot of work ahead of them.
“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,” said winger Mike Hoffman. “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 the players was to try to stay awake as long as they could Tuesday night to try to adjust to the time difference. They were invited to a reception at the Canadian Embassy after their skate and then most of the players had plans to go for dinner.
“Try to stay up as long as you can for the good reasons, not the bad reason,” Boucher said with a smile.
Phaneuf said the players are focused on the task at hand.
“It’s a great experience, it’s a fun experience, but we know it’s work. We’re here to win a hockey game on Friday and then we’ll worry about Saturday,” Phaneuf said.