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*CLICK HERE FOR A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES AT PRACTICE!*
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2008
Large crowd at practice today.
There were at least 60 people in attendance which was a surprise as
many of us thought the schools were back in session today. There
were many new fans at practice today who I did not recognize from
previous practices.
Kari was sporting some new pads today. I asked him about them when
he was signing autographs and he said he's just breaking them in
which takes a long time.
Here's a video of him warming up in the new
pads.
The team started out the practice over on the other sheet of ice at
the Ice Forum. Brad told the crew that the team was going to
practice on the other sheet for 20-25 minutes or so and then switch
back to the regular sheet. Apparently they try to split the practice
time between the two sheets when they plan on a more intense set of
drills which could generate ruts in the ice which, if not addressed,
could injure a player if they got caught in a rut when skating. That
was the reason I was given about why they switch from one sheet to
another on some of the practices.
Once the team took the ice they skated around the sheet clockwise
and then counter clockwise. Then they met in the middle of the ice
and stretched.
First real drill was a simple one where a player took the puck into
the offensive zone and shot on net.
Here's a video.
Next up was a variation of the first drill but the player taking the
shot had to receive a pass from the defensive zone. He would take
the pass and then enter the zone and shoot.
Here's a video.
This drill morphed into a 3 on 0 drill where 3 players would take
the puck into the zone and shoot.
Here's a video.
Next was a drill where the team was split into 2 halves on each end
of the ice. The drill was a steady flow of one on one battles. Once
a 2 player battle was over the whistle would blow and the next 2
players would get into it. This went on for quite awhile.
Here's a video.
Fifth drill started with team split into groups on the sides of the
ice. The line would pass around the zone and then would end on a 2
on 1 situation.
Here is a video.
Sixth drill was a 2 on 2 drill where the group practiced passing in
and out of the zone. Once the zone was maintained the offensive
players would shoot.
Here's a video.
Last drill took at least 5 minutes to set up. Brad talked to the
team for a very long time about the next drill before he blew the
whistle for them to start. It was a
power play drill where 3
forwards would gain the zone and shoot on net. Then 2 D men would
join the effort and shoot from the point while the forwards would
get in front of the net for a deflection and/or rebound shot.
I asked Popovic what happened to him at the end of the game vs. the
Islanders when he was thrown out of the game. He said that he and
Boults were basically chirping at the refs and the ref told them to
get off the ice. He did not even think a penalty was called on him.
Hoss stayed on the ice for quite awhile talking to McCrimmon after
every other player had left the ice. He signed autographs for
everyone who waited for him. Someone asked him if he'd been traded
to Montreal (a fan had said that he had just been told that Hoss had
been traded) and he said that was not true. (I searched the net from
my phone while Hoss was signing autographs and could not find
confirmation that he'd been traded). He and Kovy were 2 of the last
players to leave the facility too.
Observations:
1. Given how poorly the team played on Saturday it was surprising
what a good mood everyone was in today. I was expecting a mood more
like I saw from the guys after the lost 10-1 in Buffalo. I suspect
that the coaches told the team that they have a good record in
February and not to get down on themselves about the game on
Saturday. This is not the time for the team to be wound too tight
before such an important remainder of the road trip and time of the
season.
2. The drills were not carried out with the type of intensity that I
thought I'd see today. Hate to be a downer although I was not the
only one at practice today who thought the same thing.
3. Popovic was practicing at forward again today. Apparently he's
not going to be playing defense on Thursday in Raleigh or I assume
he'd be practicing at D. |
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