“I think when I walked in the first time [after the franchise relocated from Arizona] we didn’t have that rink, so it was for sure you’re looking at it and I didn’t know any better, so I was kind of like, ‘Oh my God, OK, there’s a lot of work to do,’ ” Utah coach Andre “The Bear” Tourigny said Friday afternoon following his team’s practice and just before the Bruins took the ice. “And when I came back in September and walk in, I say, ‘OK, that’s really good for a setup that will be there for only one year. I think that’s impressive.’ “
With a backdrop of Olympic rings and plaques noting the numerous speed skating records set at the facility, the Bruins practiced as dueling Zambonis cleaned the track that encircled them.
“I would love to do a lap, but I don’t think we’re allowed to,” said Trent Frederic, who did a mini-Eric Heiden impersonation for a few strides. “It’s cool. I’ve been to a similar one in Milwaukee, but this is really cool. I think there should be more like this. It’s kind of smart, I think.”
Tourigny said he will sometimes use the oval surface when nobody is training.
“We do for rehab skating and for some skill work as well,” he said. “Last year we used to have two sheets, so we try to use a little bit of the fast track and the short track to work on some skills and stuff.”
The overhaul of the facility included building a new locker room for the home team along with the requisite training and therapy rooms.
“The facility is awesome. I was surprised, I thought my voice wouldn’t carry just because there’s so much openness, but it was no problem, the players could hear me. So, practice ran smoothly, and the ice was good,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery, who noted he has no speed skating experience. “I asked [Brad Marchand] if wanted to lengthen his stride and do a couple of laps.”
About the only drawback is the makeshift visiting locker room is located in the basement, forcing the Bruins to navigate a couple flights of stairs in full gear.
“It’s a very unique facility, A bit of a weird setup to have a practice rink, but it’s always cool to see something different and have the different sports people to train and kind of interact with. It’s pretty impressive to see,” said Marchand, noting he hasn’t walked up stairs to practice since a youth hockey tournament in Prince Edward Island.
Sergachev ready to strike
Mikhail Sergachev, who came to Utah in a trade from Tampa Bay in the offseason, is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with the Bruins on Saturday night at the Delta Center.
The defenseman pointed to a number of challenges playing Boston presents.
“Well, they’re top line [of Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, and David Pastrnak], obviously, and now they got some good Ds and they’re just a good all-around team. They got a good goalie,” Sergachev said. “It’s always been fun playing against them and you go into that game, you know you’re going to get hit.
“You’re going to have to play fast, get rid of the puck fast because they forecheck. So honestly, it’s going to be fun.”
Similar approach
Montgomery sees a lot of similarities in how Utah and Colorado play, and said speed is of paramount concern. The Bruins opened their three-game trip that concludes Tuesday at Nashville with a 5-3 win over the Avalanche on Wednesday.
“Their speed in transition is very noticeable. They’ve got three lines that can score,” Montgomery said. “So, I mean we’re just going to have to be really good checking. We’re going to have to be really good at getting to pucks so that they’ve got to come through us. Very similar to Colorado.
“Colorado’s a speed team that caught us with some odd-man rushes. We gave up too many odd-man rushes last game, but for the majority of the game we’re very good in sound in our checking.”
Marchand updates
Marchand, who missed some time at the beginning of the third period against the Avalanche, said he was “good.” … The reason the Bruins practiced at the Utah Olympic Oval was that Iron Maiden had the Delta Center booked. The English heavy metal band has been rocking out since 1975 and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” remains their best effort (just an opinion).
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him @globejimmcbride.
