Thunderbirds practice report

I’ve just returned from the Kent Valley Ice Center which certainly lives up to its name since it couldn’t be more than 50 degrees or so inside the arena. The Thunderbirds practice there when some kind of event occupies the ShoWare Center. It was the usual casual practice the day before a game but there were some things worth noting.

Forward Tyler Alos was skating (wearing a red jersey for a player that is “on the mend” ) and looked really good. I’m sure Tyler just could not wait to get back on the ice and he was flying everywhere, looking like the aggressive, hard working player that the Thunderbirds need back. Listed as day to day on the injury report I’m sure he will be a game time decision but he looked steady and ready to go in my eyes.

Forward Justin Hickman who is supposed to be out until sometime in November was also doing some light skating. It was encouraging to see him on the ice already and I have to interpret that as good news. At 16 sometimes these fractures (hand) heal a little bit quicker than expected.

Defensman Scott Ramsay did not skate. He is still listed as day to day.

As far as the actual practice is concerned the Birds worked on the usual things. They do odd man drills (two on one, three on one) and they spend time on special teams. Both goalies work hard as is normally the case. Surprisingly Assistant Coach Turner Stevenson was in full gear and going through the drills with the guys. I understand he’s been doing this for a while now. Maybe a comeback is in the making? Actually he probably just wants to get some workouts in.

When you take in practice you really begin to understand how hard these guys work. People look at the schedule as see three to five “off days” in between games but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of work to do. It’s usually the time put in at practice that leads to the kind of play you see during actual games. It all goes hand in hand. It’s a time to work on things that the team or an individual player is having issues with and it’s also a time to repeat important drills so that it all becomes second nature as the season progresses. So, when the Birds don’t score on the power play and you say to yourself, “Don’t they practice this stuff?” The answer is yes..daily. I look forward to attending as many as possible.

Also keep in mind that the 16 and 17 year old players also have to attend school before practice. No one said it was an easy life this game of hockey.

We will see all of this hard work put into action this weekend, beginning Friday night when the Thunderbirds take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes at the ShoWare Center. Game time is 7:30 pm. It’s a big game because it’s the Hurricanes U.S. Division swing so they are coming off a very long bus ride and the Birds need to take advantage of that. It’s also important to get two points before ending the weekend in Portland on Saturday. It’s very early but the U.S. Division is already looking very tough.

If you can’t get to the game be sure to listen to Thom Beuning and Bruce McDonald call the game which is streamed right here on MyNorthwest.com.

My game recap will follow as will be the case after every game this season.