BLOG: Bear's eye view beneficial

After playing 14 straight games - the first 14 of his NHL career - Ethan Bear got a different perspective last night in Vancouver as he was a healthy scratch against the Canucks.
The Oilers defenceman and one of the club's top young prospects has scored a goal and three assists in those 14 games. Head Coach Todd McLellan said following the 2-1 defeat in Vancouver that he wanted Bear to observe one game from the press box before returning to action.
"We thought he needed a little breather and needed to watch a game at this level," McLellan said. "He's been very good offensively, he's struggled a little bit defensively lately and it never hurts for a player to go back up top and watch it when it's moving a little slower. There's a lot of coaching done with him over the last couple days to try to help him, let him absorb that and throw him back in on Saturday."
The 20-year-old from Ochapowace First Nation said the viewing experience was beneficial and he's looking forward to getting back in the lineup for tomorrow's final Battle of Alberta this season.
"It's been a long 14 games and the schedule is pretty hectic on your body, so to get that time off you want to really embrace that, take care of yourself and just watch the game," Bear said following Friday's practice at the Saddledome.
"You get that bird's eye view and you get to see plays from a different perspective… When you watch up top, it gives you a different look at the game, things that can help you, little details like time and space. You get to recognize what you've got. I want to play again and hopefully I can get back in."