Boston Bruins’ preparations ahead of the Conference Finals
Boston Bruins has always faced the problem of coming across little time to rest. However, things have changed this time out as it had ample amount of time to rest.
The case is certainly true for Boston Bruins’ forward, Mark Recchi, getting all set to get on ice after a long time off.
Recchi said that Bruins should have had competitive time on ice to be well prepared ahead of its Conference clash with Tampa Bay Lightning.
"(Tuesday) kind of (stunk)", Recchi said. "Yesterday was a long day. No hockey on and I love to watch it, too. There were no games on and I was like a lost soul, looking around the TV (channels)".
In fact, this day came after a very long time that there was no game in the National Hockey League. The eight days of rest would finally end when Bruins get back on ice to face Lightning in the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The players met with each other and had meetings but they were by no means of the same intensity as the usual team meetings are. The reason for this might be the fact that they might have prepared the strategies and plans already ahead of the series.
Bruins successfully dealt with this as its coach, Claude Julien, called for a hard training session. The session extended for about an hour during which there were a lot drills and the team worked really hard to keep the muscles in playing conditions.
This all was done as Bruins will be in action in about 48 times and it is not possible that it gets out of the beds and wins against a Lightning side that has been superb so far.
"As you know, it's been a grind in the playoffs and there's a lot at stake", Julien said after the practice session. "This time of year, I don't think it's so much about teaching; it's a lot about staying sharp and a lot about getting some rest. So we've
had some opportunities here to give guys some time off, but the minute you show up at the rink, it's got to be about business”.
The practice involved several drills including rounds of five on five plays that saw players getting hit as they gave all they had. The session was definitely one of those most physically demanding sessions during the recent few times in which Bruins put
in a lot of hard work.
Dennis Seidenberg agreed to the fact that players like him who play in defence definitely need regular training but also said that it is beneficial for others who take part in these types of practices as well.
This helps them a great deal in improving their skills and increasing time on ice.
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