Stanley Cup Finals 2013: Players Controlling Fatigue Factor
By Josh Sanchez
Over the course of the first two games of the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, we have been treated to some incredible action on the ice from the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. The two teams are as evenly matched as you can get and the finals results have shown just that. The series is tied at one game a piece heading in to Game 3 and each game has gone into overtime. In essence, the two teams have already played three entire games worth of hockey.
While it is entertaining for the fans, players need to worry about fatigue.
With both teams having team travel from Chicago to Boston, the injury concerns are even more prominent.
Heading in to the pivotal third game of the series, both netminders took the time to address the fatigue situation and they do not seem to think it will be too major of a factor… for now.
“Yeah, I’m sure you get used to it. It’s not going to get any easier the longer you go,” said Bruins’ goalie Tuukka Rask, according to Pro Hockey Talk. “But we’re definitely used to playing every other night. It’s something you learn to control the fatigue factor and save your energy a bit. I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”
What makes the games more grueling for Rask is that he’s forced to stand for the entire duration of the game lugging those extra pounds of pads.
“It’s definitely different, but you’re standing there, you’re standing for five hours,” said Rask,
“You’re obviously not making saves all the time, but you’re still standing and being focused. It’s a lot of mental stress and your legs get tired at some point, too, when you’re standing up for hours.”
Let’s hope that fatigue does not become a factor and that we can continue to be entertained with this back and forth series. After two incredible first games, it would be unfortunate to see the teams turn to sloppy play because they got tired giving it their all right out of the gate.