From Ann Arbor Newsby Antoine Pitts
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(left) Michigan coach Red Bereson pulled out all the stops this week by chartering an old DC-9 and taking the boys hiking in the Colorado foothills to build character. Old School coaching moves...
DENVER - Taking advantage of being the first to arrive for the NCAA West Regional, the University of Michigan hockey team used its practice session to slowly go over several points.
With the Pepsi Center not available to the teams until today, the Wolverines skated late Thursday morning at the Colorado Avalanche's suburban training facility.
They practiced longer than what is usually a one-hour session this time of year, stopping several times to talk specifically about what they want to do when they face North Dakota on 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Video coordinator L.J. Scarpace even did a short presentation on a projection screen from the bench.
"It was a good practice,'' Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "The goal of coming out here early was to get used to the time change and the altitude. By Saturday, we should be fine.''
None of the players appeared to be dragging through their first practice in the thinner air.
"To be honest, I don't feel a difference,'' sophomore Jack Johnson said.
Michigan arrived in Denver on Wednesday night via a charter flight. Weighed down with 25 hockey bags and other equipment, the DC-9 made a refueling stop in Kansas City as the players enjoyed each other's company all alone on the trip.
"It's a fun time just being with your teammates on the plane and not have to worry about being on your best behavior if there's someone sitting next to you that you don't know,'' Johnson said.
To kill some time the rest of Thursday, the Wolverines went to the Red Rocks geological formation before going back to their hotel for dinner and meetings.
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They were scheduled to tour the Coors Field ballpark this morning and then practice late in the afternoon at the Pepsi Center.
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