BLOG 10: Conditioning always a focal point early in the preseason

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State senior Brendan Connolly (9) skates up the ice with the puck during an exhibition contest on Sunday afternoon in Big Rapids at Ewigleben Ice Arena against the University of Windsor (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – In recent years, one of the Ferris State hockey team’s points of preseason emphasis has been on improved conditioning, particularly early in the campaign.

This year is no different as the Bulldogs want to be strong right from the start as they look toward the official season opener Friday (Oct. 10) night at 7:05 p.m. as Canisius comes to Big Rapids to face the Bulldogs inside the newly-renovated Ewigleben Ice Arena to start a two-game series. Ferris would love nothing more than to start fast. Sometimes, during the early portion of the season, the fittest team is generally the one to survive and thrive.

Ferris head coach Bob Daniels is hopeful that proves the case for his squad after getting an early glimpse of his squad in the Sunday afternoon 4-1 home exhibition win against the University of Windsor Lancers before a crowd of 937.

“Cardiovascular-wise, I think we can definitely get better from where we are right now,” said Daniels, whose team carried the play much of the game – as it outshot the Lancers 53-14. “I think we’re probably about two weeks from being where we need to be and where we’re going to be. I think we had a pretty good pace early in the game, but near the end our pace slowed a bit.”

Daniels, whose Bulldogs finished 18-16-5 last season overall and 12-12-4 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, did not see a ton of reasons to feel concerned, but he also knows the Bulldogs are not where they are going to need to be as their competition level increases.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com