How SJHL teams prepare for three games in three days

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“Protein, for sure. Through the course of a hockey season, teams are feeding their guys pizza. We avoid that. We try to make sure our guys are having protein after every game and encourage protein shakes. We usually supply those as well,” he said.

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How SJHL teams prepare for three games in three days

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“Making sure that they’re just putting the building blocks back into their bodies through amino acids to try to replenish and recover the muscles as much as possible. Then you’re looking at carbohydrates, both short and long. For example, rice is fast-acting and gets into the muscles quicker. We look at all of that kind of stuff. Protein and carbs are your number one thing.”

What happens on the ice in the days before the games matters, too. Logan said the coaching staff wants practices to remain intense without leaving players worn out before the weekend begins.

“You certainly look at duration, overall volume and tonnage there. We took Monday off this week, came in, had a good meeting and extended the weekend a little bit, but got them in and moving a little bit off the ice,” he said.

“Three meaningful practices where we were trying not to surpass the hour, hour-five, hour-10 range. Hoping that pays off and that we have guys who are fresh enough to go out there and perform.”

Logan said the effects of the schedule become more apparent as the weekend goes on.

“Games one and two are kind of like any normal weekend of hockey. You don’t realize the adjustments you have to make until Game 3. We’ll do our best to manage the first two games in a way that gets everybody involved and manages minutes.”

The coaches have a plan for the weekend, but Logan said they will also have to respond to what happens in each game.

“The games themselves will determine if that plan persists. Certain things might transpire that change that. But, for the most part, you have a rough idea of what we’re looking at for game one, game two and game three, how we’re going to use guys and where we’re going to spot guys.”

Logan doesn’t want the demanding schedule to become an excuse.

“People make it seem like it’s sort of a daunting thing. Every team in the league is going to go through two or three three-in-threes. I don’t find there’s any excuse if you’re taking care of yourselves and making sure you’re on point. Just go play the game. You’re going to have fatigue, but play through it if you’re a top guy,” he said.

“You should be able to perform. If we’re doing the things we need to do as coaches to put our guys in the best spots and keep them as fresh as possible, they should be able to perform three games in three nights.”

The North Stars begin their three-game stretch Sept. 25 in Humboldt against the Broncos. They host Humboldt the following night and the Warman Wolverines on Sept. 27.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com