Boston, MA
Patriots training camp Day 9: Jacoby Brissett throws last-second TD, Drake Maye’s 2-minute drill stalls
FOXBORO — It’s hard to square how a quarterback with two interceptions and a sack in one practice could strengthen his grip on a starting job.
Here’s how Jacoby Brissett did so Saturday.
Brissett went 9-of-14 with a pick during competitive 11-on-11 periods, including another two-minute drill he capped by firing a touchdown pass in the final 10 seconds. Following Friday’s late, dramatic strike to DeMario Douglas, Brissett snapped the ball outside the 5-yard line with a second left on a running clock Saturday, backed away from pressure and lobbed a prayer over the middle for Hunter Henry.
Touchdown.
Brissett also hit Henry on two deep strikes during a previous hurry-up drive, when he uncorked a potential deep touchdown to Jalen Reagor. But Reaglor lost a battle at the catch point to Azizi Hearn whose deflection inside the end zone triggered a tip-drill interception for roaming safety Jaylinn Hawkins. That interception was the only blemish for Brissett during the Patriots’ most telling, pressure-packed series, during which he finished 6-of-7 with a pick.
Meanwhile, Drake Maye’s final two-minute drill went nowhere. Literally, thanks to some bad luck, bad help and missed chances.
On his final drive, Maye fired a throwaway, overshot Javon Baker on deep incompletion, then watched his third-down pass sail by a slipping JuJu Smith-Schuster and his final pass get batted down at the line. Earlier in practice, Maye went 2-of-4 – hitting a tight end in the flat and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk on a comeback route that nearly sailed wide – to set up a 50-plus yard field goal.
Overall in full-team periods, Maye went 3-of-9 with four sacks and one pass drop. All day, he played behind third-string tackles, while most of his receivers synced up to have some of their worst and/or quietest practices of the summer. But Maye, around a productive 7-on-7 period in the red zone with two sweet touchdowns, looked sometimes hesitant and other times harried.
He double-pumped, whipped a checkdown out of reach, got lucky on his longest completion and had a presence about him that was absent virtually all of spring and last week. Not that Maye is facing any pressure behind him on the depth chart (fellow rookie Joe Milton finished 2-of-8 with a sack), or wouldn’t benefit from a healthy supporting cast. But Brissett entered Saturday’s practice – a humid, padded session lasting more than two hours – with a sizable lead.
That lead grew by the time Brissett left the field.
Elsewhere at practice, Matthew Judon fully participated again, an unknown defensive tackle dominated, the running game continued to stall, a speedy receiver was missing and the kicking competition continued.
Here are the Herald’s complete practice observations:
Attendance
Absent: OT Calvin Anderson, S Joshuah Bledsoe, TE Jaheim Bell
Non-participant: S Marte Mapu, DB Marcus Jones, WR Tyquan Thornton
Limited: OT Chukwuma Okorafor
Non-contact jersey: CB Shaun Wade
PUP: WR Kendrick Bourne, LB Sione Takitaki, OL Cole Strange, C/G Jake Andrews
Notes: Thornton was the only surprise absence from this group, but the former second-round pick is not expected to be out long-term, per a source. Thornton has a rough injury history, losing several games to broken bones each of the last two summers; something the team has been mindful of during camp.
Anderson missed his first practice after suffering a lower-leg injury Friday, when he returned to action. Jones and Bledsoe missed their second straight practices, respectively, while Mapu and Bell haven’t suited up in more than a week. Okorafor participated in initial stretching, but sat out all team periods for reasons unknown.
Play of the Day
Hunter Henry’s one-handed sideline snag
Jerod Mayo waved the play off, calling it a sack after the whistle had blown. But when a catch is this good, it can’t go overlooked.
Aligned in the left slot, Henry immediately gained a step on Kyle Dugger early in Brissett’s initial hurry-up drill. He angled left on a fade route, with Dugger now attached to his right hip. Realizing he had just enough separation, Henry looked back for the ball, flipped around 180 degrees toward the sideline and shot out his right arm as Brissett’s pass fell, snatching it for a one-handed grab.
The best catch of camp.
Player of the Day
TE Hunter Henry
What a practice.
Henry scored the Patriots’ final touchdown to punctuate a successful two-minute drill, made a highlight-reel grab, added another catch on a deep crossing route and finished with four receptions on the day. He’s still got it.
QB Corner
Note: The passing stats below were tallied during competitive 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods only. The stats in parentheses represent the quarterbacks’ camp-long performance.
Jacoby Brissett: 11-of-18, 2 INTs, sack (75-of-111, 3 INTs, 12 sacks)
Drake Maye: 6-of-14, 4 sacks (67-of-110, 2 INTs, 11 sacks)
Notes: Let’s start with the good for Maye.
After getting swarmed for three sacks on his initial three dropbacks, he steered the offense toward a long field goal attempt over a two-minute drill. That possession featured a missed flat throw to Kevin Harris, flat completion to tight end Mitchell Wilcox, connection with Polk on a comeback route that Polk saved with a full-extension grab as he fell to the turf and a throwaway after firing a spike.
Later, in red-zone 7-on-7s, Maye would have scored three touchdowns on four dropbacks had Wilcox managed to maintain possession on an inside throw that split two safeties. He also rifled a score to Polk on an in-breaking route during the same period and flashed anticipation when he found Javon Baker in the back left corner on a corner route.
Good stuff.
Then, trouble found Maye again in red-zone 11-on-11s. He dumped an easy shallow-cross pass to Osborn after several seconds in the pocket, took a “sack” courtesy of Keion White and a hand-off, which led to his 0-of-4 two-minute drill at the end.
Unlike prior practices, Maye dared to strike downfield Saturday, including his overthrow of Baker at the end. That’s encouraging, even if Brissett remains far ahead in this department thanks to his Henry completions, go-ball to Osborn and an opening deep cross to Wilcox. Downfield aggression, accuracy in the intermediate area and processing speed are the widest gaps between the two passers right now.
How Patriots’ defense responded to Jerod Mayo’s latest challenge
Studs
DL Trysten Hill
Two run stuffs, a sack and a fourth-down batted pass in team periods is one heck of a day for any interior D-lineman, let alone one pushing for a roster spot. Hill was at the center of another excellent day of run defense, and one of the best practices by any defender to date.
WR K.J. Osborn
Osboron’s best practice as a Patriot featured a team-high five catches — three from Brissett and two from Maye — around a drop. The last of those catches was a 35-yard gain on a go route down the right sideline that carried the offense downfield during Brissett’s last hurry-up drive that started with just 56 seconds. Osborn beat rising second-year cornerback Alex Austin on the play.
S Jaylinn Hawkins
Hawkins followed his tip-drill interception by ranging over for a clean pass breakup during 11-on-11 red-zone work late in practice. The veteran has come on strong the last few days, especially with Marte Mapu still sidelined.
Duds
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Based on his nine practices to date, and physical struggles last season, I don’t see any path for Smith-Schuster to make this team. He dropped a touchdown pass from Milton and slipped on the only target Maye gave him. He can’t separate anymore or reliably catch the ball, the two biggest demands of any receiver.
TE Austin Hooper
During 7-on-7s, Hooper stopped running an in-breaking route when he felt Austin grab him from behind. That allowed Austin to jump the pass for Brissett’s second interception of the day, and the easiest pick of camp. Hooper went without a catch in team periods.
Offensive notes
- Top targets in team drills: WR K.J. Osborn 5/6, TE Hunter Henry 4/5, WR Kayshon Boutte 3/4, WR Ja’Lynn Polk 2/3, TE Mitchell Wilcox 2/3
- Drops: Boutte, Osborn, Smith-Schuster
- Top offensive line: LT Vederian Lowe, LG Sidy Sow, C Dvaid Andrews, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Caedan Wallace
Quarterbacks
- After getting shut out of team drills Friday, Bailey Zappe went 3-of-5 with a drop over a couple 11-on-11 sessions.
- Rookie Joe Milton fared worse, completed just two of eight passes, including one drop, and took a would-be sack. Milton has performed far better in 7-on-7 settings than 11-on-11s, as has Maye.
- Between them, Milton delivered the best completion, ripping a “touchdown” to Kayshon Boutte on an in-breaking route during red-zone 11-on-11s.
Running backs
- A rough practice for this group, through little fault of their own.
- Zero targets for Rhamondre Stevenson or Antonio Gibson in team drills. Both veterans got stuffed on inside hand-offs and struggled to find room outside.
- Third-year bowling ball Kevin Harris caught one pass and was overshot on a checkdown throw.
- Before practice, Jerod Mayo noted JaMycal Hasty’s skill set separates him from the rest of the group, as a smaller, shifty, pass-catching back.
Wide receivers
- With Tyquan Thornton out, the Patriots started Jalen Reagor in his place opposite Osborn for the opening team period. Reagor failed to seize on that opportunity, securing one of three passes he saw.
- Osborn outshone all the wideouts, winning at multiple levels and again playing inside and out. The ex-Viking looks like a lock for the 53-man roster.
- DeMario Douglas followed up his breakout Friday practice (five catches and a touchdown) with just two grabs: a score in one red-zone period, and a catch in the flat from Brissett just before Henry’s dramatic touchdown.
- Ja’Lynn Polk continued to build on his connection with Maye, nabbing a tough throw on a comeback route and a touchdown on a post; both during 11-on-11s. He went 2-of-3 on targets, including a Brissett overthrow.
- Fourth-round rookie Javon Baker still looks dangerous downfield, but hasn’t produced quite like he did earlier in camp. He had one “touchdown” in a 7-on-7 drill and was overthrown during Maye’s two-minute drill.
Patriots’ DeMario Douglas playing it smart with training camp injury
Tight ends
- Hunter Henry is developing into one of, if not the most, trusted targets for Brissett and Maye. The quarterbacks look for him early in practice and clutch situations, as Brissett did on his final drive.
- After leading the Patriots in catches through six practices, Hooper has cooled with three receptions over the last three days.
- Mitchell Wilcox earned significant attention in team periods, but it’s his run-blocking that ultimately may give him an edge for the No. 3 job over La’Michael Pettway, who also didn’t earn a single target.
Offensive line
- With Chukwuma Okorafor and Calvin Anderson out for team periods, the Patriots started Vederian Lowe at left tackle for a third straight day and promoted third-round rookie Caedan Wallace back to the first team at right tackle.
- Behind them, Kellen Diesch, who signed two days ago, started at left tackle with Maye’s unit, and undrafted rookie Zuri Henry was at right tackle.
- Overall, a tough day for the O-line. Allowing run stuffs on 33% of hand-offs and yielding six sacks kept every offensive unit from gaining a rhythm unless Brissett hit deep throws (as he did on both hurry-up drives).
- Center David Andrews remains limited, but went deeper into 11-on-11 periods than recent days after he missed two practices.
- Nick Leverett and Atonio Mafi remain the Patriots’ second- and third-string centers, respectively, but undrafted rookie Charles Turner got some run with the third-team offense.
- Fourth-round rookie Layden Robinson took snaps at left guard after spending most of camp at right guard, his college position.
- Backup guard Liam Fornadel took a penalty lap for false-starting early in practice.
Defensive notes
- Starting and second-string personnel during team periods: defensive linemen Davon Godchaux, Deatrich Wise, Keion White, Armon Watts, Daniel Ekuale, Trysten Hill, Sam Roberts and Jeremiah Pharms Jr.; linebackers Matt Judon, Jahlani Tavai, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Raekwon McMillan, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Christian Elliss, Joe Giles-Harris, William Bradley-King and Oshane Ximines; defensive backs Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Alex Austin, Jaylinn Hawkins, Isaiah Bolden, Azizi Hearn, Marco Wilson, Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler.
- Interceptions: Austin, Hawkins
- Pass breakups: Gonzalez, Hawkins, Hearn, Pettus
- Would-be sacks: Team 3, Judon, Wise, White,
Defensive linemen
- It bears repeating: Trysten Hill had a day. Should he make the team, the ex-Cowboys draft pick profiles as a backup nose tackle, but he practiced like an All-Pro force of nature Saturday.
- Hill didn’t even start team periods, with Davon Godchaux and Daniel Ekuale again lining up in the middle with the first team. He combined with fellow defensive tackle Armon Watts on one run stuff.
- Again, the Patriots’ defensive front built a wall against the run. Combined, all three defensive units stuffed 33% of all hand-offs.
- Keion White was the only other D-lineman, aside from Hill, to record a sack and contribute on a run stuff.
Linebackers
- Another padded practice, another full day from Matt Judon. Last year, Judon abstained from these practices, but has since returned after making a mini mess at Monday’s session.
- It took two snaps for Judon to make an impact during 11-on-11s, setting a strong edge to force a run stuff early in practice. He later added a sack.
- Outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings also notched a run stuff, a nice break from what has been a quiet camp for him.
- Ja’Whaun Bentley and Jahlani Tavai continue to start most 11-on-11 periods, with Bentley manning the middle and Tavai flexing between inside and outside linebacker.
Defensive backs
- The carousel continues in the defensive backfield. Several corners — Jonathan Jones, Marco Wilson, Isaiah Bolden and Azizi Hearn — rotated opposite Christian Gonzalez in team periods.
- Hearn had the roughest go, allowing three catches on five targets, plus his pass breakup. Wilson didn’t allow a catch, while Bolden and Jones each yielded one, and Jones took snaps at free safety for a third straight practice.
- The good news: Gonzalez looked more like himself, breaking up the only target in isolation he saw all afternoon; a pass intended for Jalen Reagor.
- Brenden Schooler, a third-year special teamer, appeared to be at fault on a coverage bust that allowed Joe Milton to hit a touchdown pass in 7-on-7s.
Special teams
- Joey Slye isn’t bowing out. The veteran journeyman drilled a field goal longer than 50 yards to cap Maye’s initial two-minute drill and went 5-for-5 overall, while Chad Ryland finished 3-of-4 with a missed 39-yarder.
- So far in camp, Ryland remains ahead at 20-of-22 on field goal attempts, while Slye stands at 19-of-23.
- Kick returners: Jalen Reagor, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, K.J. Osborn, Isaiah Bolden
- Kickoff team: Ryland/Slye, Brenden Schooler, Kyle Dugger, Anfernee Jennings, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jaylinn Hawkins, Kevin Harris, Raekwon McMillan, Marco Wilson, Javon Baker
- Punt returners: Reagor, Douglas, Polk, Osboron, Bolden
- Punt team: punter Bryce Baringer, long snapper Joe Cardona, Schooler, Tavai, Hawkins, McMillan, Harris, Bolden, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Oshane Ximines, Mikey Victor
- Bolden’s addition to the returners group is notable because he led college football (FBS and FCS) with a 36.9 yards per return average in 2021.
Extra points
- The Patriots are off Sunday and will return to practice Monday at 11 a.m.
- DeMario Douglas, Kyle Dugger, Daniel Ekuale, Hunter Henry, Layden Robinson and Oshane Ximines met with reporters after practice.
Originally Published:
Boston, MA
A crowd scientist is helping the Boston Marathon manage a growing field of 30,000-plus runners
BOSTON (AP) — Running the Boston Marathon is tough enough without having to jostle your way from Hopkinton to Copley Square.
So race organizers this year turned to an expert in crowd science to help them manage the field of more than 32,000 as it travels the 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers) through eight Massachusetts cities and towns — some of it on narrow streets laid out during Colonial times.
“There are certain things that we can’t change — that we don’t want to change — because they make the Boston Marathon,” said Marcel Altenburg, a senior lecturer of crowd science at Manchester Metropolitan University in Britain. “Like, I’m a scientist, but I can’t be too science-y about the race. It should stay what it is because that’s what I love. That’s what the runners love.”
The world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon, the Boston race was inspired by the endurance test that made its debut at the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896 — itself a tribute to the route covered by the messenger Pheidippides, who ran to Athens with news of the Greek victory over the Persians in Marathon.
After sharing the news — “Rejoice, we conquer!” — Pheidippides dropped dead.
Organizers of the Boston race would prefer a more pleasant experience for their runners, even as the field has ballooned from 15 in 1897 to as many as 38,000 to meet demand for the 100th edition in 1996. It has settled at around 30,000 since 2015.
As the race grew, it tested the limits of the narrow New England roads and the host cities and towns, which are eager to reopen their streets for regular commutes and commerce as quickly as possible.
“It would be kind of great someday to be able to grow the race a little bit more,” race director Dave McGillivray said. “The problem with this race is that it’s about two things: time and space. We don’t have either. … So, we’re trying to be innovative.”
That’s where Altenburg comes in.
A former German army captain who runs ultra marathons himself, Altenburg has worked with all of the major races, other large sporting events, and airports and exhibitions that tend to attract large crowds on ways to keep things safe and flowing smoothly.
For the Boston Marathon, which draws hundreds of thousands of spectators in addition to the runners, his models allow him to run simulations that help him see how the race might play out under different conditions.
“We have simulated the Boston Marathon more than 100 times to run it once for real. That is the one that counts,” Altenburg said in a telephone interview. “They gave me, pretty much, all creative freedom to simulate more waves, simulate more runners and — within the existing time window — they allowed me to change pretty much anything for the betterment of the running experience.
“And then we checked every aid station, every mile, the finish, every important point, (asking): Is the result better for the runner? Is that something that we should explore further?”
The most noticeable difference on Monday will be that the runners are starting in six waves — groups organized by qualifying time — instead of three. The waves, which were first used in Boston in 2011, help spread things out so that runners don’t have to walk after the start, when Main Street in Hopkinton squeezes to just 39 feet wide.
Other, less obvious changes involve the unloading of the buses at the start, the placement of the water and aid stations, and the finish line chutes, where runners get their medals, perhaps a mylar blanket or a banana, and any medical treatment they might need.
“For an event that’s as old as ours, 130 years, it allowed us to be a startup all over again,” said Lauren Proshan, the chief of race operations and production for the Boston Athletic Association.
“The change isn’t meant to be earth-shattering. It’s to be a smooth experience from start to finish,” she said. “It’s one of those things that you work really, really hard behind the scenes and hope that no one notices — a behind-the-curtain change that makes you feel as if you’re just floating and having a great day.”
Shorter porta potty lines would also be nice.
“What I loved about working with the BAA was how aware they are of what the Boston Marathon is. And they won’t change anything lightly,” Altenburg said. “So it was very detailed work from literally the moment the race last year ended to now. That we check every single option. That we really make sure that if we change something about this historic race, then we know what we’re doing.”
The BAA will look at the feedback over the next three years before deciding about expansion or other changes.
“Fingers crossed, hope for the best, but we’ll get feedback from the participants,” McGillivray said. “And they’ll let us know whether or not it worked or not.”
But keeping the course open longer isn’t an option. And the route isn’t going to change. So there’s only so much that crowd science can help with at one of the toughest tests in sports.
“I can talk. I’m a scientist. I just press a button and it’s going to be,” Altenburg said. “But the runners still have to do it.”
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
Boston, MA
From across Boston they flock to play for Latin Academy boys’ tennis, a co-op of 29 schools – The Boston Globe
“I’ve done a lot of different things in my life, but there’s no question in my mind that the youth development aspect of what I’ve done with kids and tennis in Boston is the most important work I’ve ever done,” said Crane, who has dedicated the last 30 years of his life to youth tennis.
Once upon a time, Crane served as a sports journalist for the New York Post, the defender general of Vermont, and the executive director of the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.
He has been the head boys’ tennis coach at Latin Academy since 2009, and last season led the Dragons to their first Division 3 semifinal appearance in program history.
This season, the Dragons are trying to repeat that success, and are doing so with players from five Boston high schools (Latin Academy, O’Bryant, Josiah Quincy Upper, East Boston, and New Mission).
Sophomore Mayfre Moreta, a New Mission student, has never crossed paths in the school hallways with his doubles partner, Gio Waterman, who attends Latin Academy, but the pair still managed to rally from a set down to clinch the deciding No. 2 doubles point in last year’s D3 quarterfinals.
“I think [that win] speaks to our identity as a program,” said Waterman. “It’s so nice to play with all these new guys from other city schools. We share that bond of representing the city of Boston.”
Along with the unique co-op structure, Crane runs a no-cut program that carries roughly 35 kids ranging from seventh to 12th grade every year who vary from beginners to experienced tournament players.
“We don’t cut because we want to teach kids from all over the city how to play the game,” said Crane. “We want to give them a sport that they’ll play for the rest of their lives.”
Mateus Washington, a Latin Academy senior, is in his sixth, and final, year with the program. Although Washington has dueled the state’s top players at No. 1 singles this season, he is just as proud that he gets to lead his teammates every day.
Matthew J Lee/Globe staff
“It’s really cool to see how the seventh-graders of this generation look so much like I did in seventh grade,” said Washington, who has posted a 3-3 record this year. “It’s super eye-opening and enriching to be a part of their development.”
Crane recognizes that the team’s makeup is unique and oftentimes difficult to manage.
“Logistically, it’s difficult. The kids are coming from all over the city, and they can’t all show up at the same time because their schools get out at different times,” said Crane.
But above all, Crane is thankful he can give his kids — many of whom come from low-income situations — the chance to play tennis, as well as offer them summer jobs at Sportsmen’s, Franklin Park Tennis Association, and other tennis facilities around the city.
“What motivates me the most is getting to know these kids, building relationships with them, and figuring out how I can be of help to them. I want to help them grow, help them succeed on and off the court, and help them get ready for the rest of their lives.”
▪ Emily Cilley has yet to lose a match as the head coach of the Swampscott girls.
In Cilley’s first year with the program, the Big Blue (4-0) have put last season’s second-round loss to Dover-Sherborn in the rearview mirror.
Key to their success have been sophomore stars Nikki Carr and Ginger Gregoire. Carr has been dominant at first singles, posting a 4-0 record without dropping a set, and Gregoire has been a great option at second singles, logging a 3-1 record and securing the deciding 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory in the season opener against Bishop Fenwick.
“They are both very disciplined players who understand the balance between being cautious and being patient,” said Cilley. “Their technical skills are on point, and they aren’t intimidated by the person across from them.”
The Big Blue’s strong start has catapulted them to the top of the Northeastern Conference. They’ll look to continue their unbeaten streak against St. Mary’s next Saturday.
▪ The girls of Central Catholic are off to their best start in program history.
The Raiders boast a 6-0 record after taking down Lowell 5-0 on Saturday morning. The win was their fifth sweep of the season, with the only non-sweep coming in a 4-1 victory over Notre Dame (Tyngsborough).
Morgan Bateman has looked unstoppable at second singles, as she is yet to drop a set, and Ella Asmar has been just as impressive at third singles, posting an undefeated record.
Although Haley Wolters was responsible for the only loss by a Raiders player this season, she has logged impressive victories at first singles, such as a 6-2, 6-3 win against Chelmsford and a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Lowell.
The Raiders have a chance to extend their winning streak to nine with matches against North Andover, Lowell, and Haverhill on the horizon, before they clash with undefeated Andover on April 30.
Webb Constable can be reached at webb.constable@globe.com. Follow him on X @webbconstable.
Boston, MA
Practice Report: Bruins Have Last Skate in Boston Before Leaving for Buffalo | Boston Bruins
“It is a division team, we’ve played them enough to know kind of what they’re about. They’ve had a great season. They’re a high rush team, a lot of speed and a lot of skill. It is going to be a fun matchup,” Lindholm said. “It is a fun challenge for us, coming in a little bit as an underdog and prove people wrong.”
Lindholm has also been quarterbacking the second power-play unit, which is primed to feature James Hagens. The 19-year-old forward signed his entry-level contract on April 8 and played in the final two games of the regular season. The B’s, however, did not get on the man advantage in either game, so Sturm has yet to see Hagens on the power play outside of practice. The coach thinks it is one of Hagens’ best assets, though.
“He doesn’t have to play or make special plays. He has some really good players on that unit. As long as he’s going to play fast and keep it simple – I think that is something that might be different from college and NHL,” Sturm said. “I think it will be fine because Buffalo, they will come, they pressure hard. So you don’t want to be surprised. You want to be quick, you want to be fast. That’s something that has to be in his mind.”
Hagens has been skating on the third line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, and that stayed the same in Saturday’s practice. The three youngsters will all be playing in their first NHL postseason.
“Every night you have to give it your all. You have to give everything you possibly have. This is playoff hockey – you want to win every single game like always. Nothing changes, but there are a lot higher stakes,” Hagens said. “This is something you dream of. Something you grow up watching and praying that you could be in the moment one day and be playing in. Now that it’s reality, it’s something that is really surreal.”
After having a whirlwind start to his pro career, it has been helpful for Hagens to get full practices in with the group.
“It’s been great to be able to be out there, practice with these guys. Not only to learn the systems but to be able to talk to teammates, get feedback from coaches,” Hagens said. “Just the repetition, being able to do reps, try to learn day by day.”
The energy is palpable for Boston, but the team knows the work has just begun.
“Everyone is equal in this room. We’re a tight-knit group here, we’re all good buddies…Just go out there and play with that joy that we have in the locker room,” Lindholm said. “It is a really serious time of year, but I think within this room here, just go out there and enjoy, too. Play for each other – I think that’s how you win this time of year.”
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