The Ottawa Senators hit the Canadian Tire Centre ice Tuesday for the first time since edging the Flyers 2-1 in Philadelphia February 5. After 11 days off, 14 players, two goalies participated in a relaxed practice designed by head coach Travis Green to get their legs moving and gradually ramp up his club into game shape.
“Obviously, when you’re off that long, you’re not expecting the group to be real crisp, but it’s important to get out. Did a lot of just puck moving down, back, get their legs going again and slowly move into more intense practices as well,” said Green.
The practice on this day was conducted minus several key players. Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson (United States), Tim Stützle (Germany), Nik Mantinpalo (Finland) each have Quarter-Final matchups scheduled Wednesday. Centre Lars Eller (Denmark) was eliminated in Olympic Playoff Qualifying Round action and will return to Ottawa likely this weekend. Stephen Halliday who was loaned to Belleville, remains with the Senators’ American League affiliate for the time-being.
Another Senators’ regular absent from their main skate was forward David Perron. Currently rehabbing from sports hernia surgery, Perron joked with assembled media who told him he was late for practice when walking by, responding he had already been at the rink for four hours.
The Senators head coach noted Perron was “skating on his own,” and was told the 37-year-old “may be available” for the club’s western road trip which actually starts in Toronto, February 28, their second game back. The sojourn also includes Edmonton, Calgary, Seattle, Vancouver.
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Thomas Chabot was one player ready to get back and focus on the playoff race which sees the Senators trailing the final Wildcard berth by six points with 25 games remaining.
“Nice to get some sunshine and just to relax and rest a little bit. So fun to be back, though, at this time of the year, it’s kind of, I always say it’s nice to get it for a couple days, but then after a couple days and you kind of just start thinking about hockey and just want to be on the ice,” explained the defenseman.
“A couple days in, you’re enjoying the sun and doing a little bit of nothing, but you’re still past halfway in this season. You’re talking about hockey. You’re excited to just get back and obviously with the Olympics and watching games, it makes you crave that even more and wanting to be back. So no, it’s fun. It’s always fun to come back and be with boys again.”
Chabot and his wife, Marion spent part of the Olympic break in St. Bart’s and met up with teammates Shane Pinto and Fabian Zetterlund who were also vacationing on the island. And even beat Pinto in a round of golf, which was somewhat surprising as the Long Island native is known to be a scratch golfer.
Pinto took his loss in stride, “Yeah, he got me. He never usually beats me, but didn’t have my best that day, windy. He had his kind of flex in the shafts, and I didn’t. And it was a tough day, but I’ll get it back for sure.”
While Canada-Czechia takes place during Senators practice Wednesday, Senators players will be cheering on their remaining Olympic teammates from afar.
invited to USA’s Olympic Orientation Camp last summer, Pinto will be front and centre when viewing his home country taking on Sweden at 3:00 pm.
“I mean, you’re so happy. I mean, you know what they did to prepare for that. You know the hard work they put in these last few years, so to see it come to fruition for them, just so happy for them. And you know, some guys are not finished, and it’s gonna be fun to watch.”
Chabot echoed Pinto’s thoughts on the Senators’ Olympians, especially the play of Stützle. The German star has exploded on the World’s stage, notching four goals, two assists in four games and has an opportunity to reach the Semi-Finals when Germany meets Slovakia early Wednesday morning.
“To be honest, it’s too surprising to me. I know how good he is, knew he was gonna go out there and play lots of minutes and take charge and take control of that team, (and) I know he was very excited about it and looking forward to it, and he’s not disappointing.
I mean, the guys are unbelievable, and it’s been fun. They’re pretty fun to watch.”
