WILMINGTON, Mass. — I got to Ristuccia Arena half an hour before practice and Zdeno Chara going through a pre-practice workout on the ice with assistant coach Doug Houda. There are two traffic cones and a wooden board between the blue line and the goal and Chara is trying to shoot between and over them, while also working on one-timers and passes off the wall.
There’s no complacency in the captain this morning. Oh, and Mark Stuart joined Chara with about 15 minutes until practice. UPDATE: It is now 30 minutes after practice ended (12:25 p.m.) and Chara is still on the ice, this time working with Matt Hunwick. So Chara has been on the ice at least 2 1/2 hours (he was on when I got here). He has shown no signs of leaving the ice.
Published By mattk Mon. October 26, 2009 10:11 am EDT
Glad to hear he’s working with No. 48 — he needs it before No. 55 takes over his spot.
Never take Chara for granted; his history speaks for itself; he worked just as hard in Ottawa and probably harder now that he’s the Captain.
I don’t think “complacency” and “Zdeno Chara” should be used in the same sentence, but that’s just MHO.
Fred Lynn often used to be criticized for “coasting” in the outfield. What people didn’t realize is that he was actually running like Secretariat, but he didn’t LOOK it. Now Randy Moss gets the same “coasting” rap, until you see three defensive backs furiously trying to catch him.
Went to my first B’s game of the season last week, and realized anew that HOLY CRAP Zdeno Chara is a beast. It’s a funny commentary on human nature that we can take him for granted so easily.