Calgary Flames Conditioning:Whats does that really mean??

[curves2000]

Hi all,

I have heard for the past 2 seasons how well "conditioned" the Flames are and this year was another level. Read several articles saying how well Ryan Van Asten got the boys into pristine shape.

What I want to know is, what exactly do people mean by "conditioning"?? Seems like a word that's being thrown around a lot these days in hockey.

Does this refer to cardiovascular capacity, muscle endurance, strength or what?

Obviously NHL players train hard and are in good shape, some are more dedicated than others. What I would like to know is what separates an excellent shape player from another? What are the Flames or elite players doing differently?

Sorry about the long post, just hearing this word so much from Hartley, Treleving even in the Gio contract thread. Everybody talking about it.

Thanks a million

[Envitro]

For hockey the most important things are speed, endurance, and explosive power (i.e. acceleration and direction change).

Endurance helps with preventing injuries as well, so that's a bonus.

[GoJetsGo]

I think it's no secret a big part of it has been the intensity and durations of Bob Hartley's practices.

I heard Treliving on the radio talk about how his first impression of Bob was from his Phoenix days where he came down and watched the Flames practice when they visited Arizona before a game.

Teams that practice vigorously are better conditioned for the games.

[Righteous1]

PED's

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Run your fingers through Johnny Hockey's hair.. World class conditioning baby

[Northendzone]

air

[Bandwagon In Flames]

It was pretty evident that the Flames were the best conditioned team in the NHL this season. To a certain extent this can be quantified in 3rd period performances. When 29 other teams slow down in the third period, the Flames still have the stamina to compete at their top gear and expose other teams.

[Vinny01]

The hard working identity and hard to play against reputation are 2 benefits from being one of the best conditioned teams in the league.

You hear about the Flames morning skates or practices and media/new teammates will always comment on the intensity and how it seems a notch above the norm. I think this has helped the Flames play the same consistent style for 2 years and certainly helped them find the extra gear in the 3rd period.

Haters will say the 3rd period performance was a fluke but watching this team play in the third they always were able to push and I think their superior conditioning is a factor.

The credit to this goes to the coaching staff and the leadership for buying in 100%

[GioforPM]

You can tell the Flames are very well conditioned when guys from other systems (Shore comes to mind, and maybe Schlemko) take quite a while to be able to play sizeable minutes with the Flames.

Also, look at Glencross' comments on the Caps practices.

[Righteous1]

Soo Ryan Van Asten >>>>>Rick Hesketh

[mrkajz44]

To me, the word conditioning was used as a replacement for endurance. The team could simply maintain a high tempo all game due to great endurance work.