Sports: A small sacrifice for fitness

A small sacrifice for fitness

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

BRANDON -- After two days of fitness drills, two days of aching legs and shortness of breath, coach John Tortorella knows what will make his players feel a whole lot better.

"I think," he said, "they want to see some pucks."

Players will get that chance at 10 a.m. today as the Lighting holds its first practice of training camp at the Ice Sports Forum.

But Tortorella warned the emphasis on fitness will not be overlooked. The coach said that after the 40-minute scrimmage that will start practice, most of the work on and off the ice will continue to focus on conditioning.

"We're not doing this in a punishment type of way," Tortorella said Wednesday. "Conditioning is an important part of of getting out of the gates and it is something we can control."

Wednesday's workouts looked particularly tough. Each player skated 15 laps three times, with only a short rest in between.

But Nikita Alexeev said that was nothing compared to Tuesday's breathtaking (literally) drill that had each player skate three laps six times.

Alexeev said when it was over he had "a headache, pressure in my head. The blood goes everywhere. It's pretty much the toughest drill I ever did."

"I think it's fun for them," Tortorella said. "It's like a battle. "You're not going to break me.' I think they enjoy the challenge of it."

Whether he enjoys it or not, defenseman Jassen Cullimore called the drills a necessary evil.

"It's going to get you better," he said. "It will get you to the peak of the season. There's a time during the year you can say you're feeling really good. Hopefully, this will get us there quicker."

GAMES STILL ON: The preseason opener Saturday against the Hurricanes at TECO Arena in Estero, and Sunday's game against Carolina at the Ice Palace still are scheduled to be played.

Because of the FAA's ban on air travel, 33 of Carolina's 53 players are stuck in Raleigh, N.C. The teams also are waiting to hear from the NHL.

"We expect to be given direction by the league in the next day or two," Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett said.

INJURY REPORT: Two minor-league players reported to camp with injuries that will keep them sidelined for a significant time.

Defenseman Mike Jones will miss camp with hairline fractures in both heels. Wickett said they were sustained through offseason workouts. Goaltender Dieter Kochan will be out about a week with an irritation in his left eye.

ODDS AND ENDS: Practices are free and open to the public. ... Defenseman Andreas Holmqvist, the 61st overall pick in the June draft, has been given permission to come late to camp while he plays in a tournament in Sweden. ... Forwards Matthew Barnaby, Fredrik Modin, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis will sign autographs from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday at Dillards as part of the opening of the International Plaza mall in Tampa.