MORNING SKATE NOTES
- Utah faces a veteran Vegas team tonight and it’s an opportunity for players to show what they can bring to this team.
- Players have an opportunity to show what they can bring on the power play.
Getting Ready for the Real Thing
In addition to evaluating talent, Utah is using its four preseason games to get ready for the regular season. Taking the pause out of their game will help everyone play to the Mammoth’s pace, and has been a focus in each game.
“I think the faster we can get into our systems and feel organic out there, I think the better it’ll be come the start of the season,” veteran forward Liam O’Brien said.
O’Brien has seen the team progress in this area, especially from the start of camp.
“I think for sure,” O’Brien said on improving in that area. “I think game by game it just gets better. Obviously don’t have as many preseason games, so you want to speed the process up.”
Pushing Each Other
With the amount of talent at this year’s camp, everyone has to show up strong for every single drill in every single practice. However, with a limited number of roster spots and everyone fighting to make it, this internal competition raises everyone’s level of play.
“We've got a lot of good hockey players here. I think it's been like that for a little while, too,” O’Brien shared. “You’re always pushing to get better. You always just want to do whatever you can to help the team win and push forward as a group.”
Utah also has established a winning culture in their locker room which also pushes players to bring a high level of intensity to every practice.
“The culture here is getting really good,” Ben McCartney said. “They have a great group of guys in the room. The winning culture, they want to win games every single time, whether it's even a battle in practice, everyone wants to win.”
Facing the Golden Knights
Vegas is playing a stacked veteran roster; however, this is an opportunity for every player to show how they show up against adversity.
“I want to see how our guys will react, how much they will compete,” Tourigny said on facing a full Vegas lineup. “There’s no excuse, you need to find a way. The pace we will play defensively and everywhere offensively … we’re continuing to work on our team identity and make sure we’re getting back at who we are and how we have to play to be successful. I think the guys are doing a great job, and tonight it’s no different.”
Special Teams Practice
Throughout training camp and the first two preseason games, Utah has worked on special teams. The top power play unit played in one preseason game while the second power play unit played in the other. Tonight, there will be an opportunity for different units and different players to get their shot.
“Tonight we’ll have other guys who have an opportunity on the power play,” Tourigny said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they can contribute.”
