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The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins spend their practice weeks developing chemistry, working on specific aspects of their game and getting ready for the next opponent.
When the next game on the schedule is a trip to Binghamton, however, practice time is also spent preparing to play in the Senators’ rink.
The Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena was built in 1973 and is one of the few rinks in the AHL that features a smaller ice surface. That’s where the Penguins will play on Friday as they look to extend their winning streak to 12 games, and one of their focuses this week is how to handle the nuances of a smaller ice surface.
“It’s always tough going into their building,” said captain Tom Kostopoulos. “The big thing is you have to make plays a little quicker.”
That lack of space puts opponents on the puck at a much quicker pace, and preparing for that pressure is a key for the Penguins, according to head coach Mike Sullivan.
While Sullivan said the smaller ice won’t necessarily change the game plan or tactics for his team, there will be different challenges presented.
“We’ve got to be aware that things are going to happen fast because of the confines of the rink,” he said. “We’re going to put them in situations in practice this week where things happen quick. Confined space.”
Preparing for that quick pressure means players knowing what to do with the puck before they get it, using the glass a little bit more and engage in foot races to gain possession in the offensive zone.
Sullivan said when a rink is on the smaller side, like Binghamton’s, that usually means a difference from the goal line to behind the net and, more noticeably, in the neutral zone.
For a team that prefers to make a single quick pass and get through the neutral zone in a flash, Sullivan’s players need to be aware of Binghamton’s defensive posture.
“We can’t get stubborn trying to carry through five people and give them an opportunity to counter-attack us,” he said. “We have to recognize where the opportunity to generate offense is. Sometimes it’s behind the forecheck. Sometimes if we can quick-strike before they get into a posture the opportunity is in front of them. It’s important that we recognize both.”
Sullivan likened a trip to Binghamton to a baseball team traveling to Fenway Park and dealing with the Green Monster.
“It’s a little bit different as far as the spatial aspect is concerned,” he said. “It’s neat to go into the different buildings and Binghamton will be one of those unique circumstances. It will be a big challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it.”