As fans struggle to stay awake in the middle of the night to watch their exploits, hockey players ready to practice marathon games like Thursday’s between the Panthers and the Hurricanes must find every conceivable way to keep the machine going . Pleasure can become torture.
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The Panthers’ reaction to the winning goal at the very end of the fourth half of overtime, just before 2 a.m., spoke volumes. Matthew Tkachuk was quick to indicate the outcome by inviting his people to come and celebrate his achievement in the cozy dressing room. No one wanted to let the sauce sit another minute.
The match had been in motion for 5 hours and 48 minutes, long enough that the engine nearly exploded.
“Once the dangers are there, they become numerous. There is a risk of a stroke or heart attack. When you are tired, you no longer have the same reflexes and protective potential you are used to.
“It needs a winner, but it has to end. “The further you go, the more you become a vehicle in the desert that overheats,” imagines physiotherapist Jacques Lavergne, who has been practicing his profession with the Nordics for a long time and is still in the care of the athletes today.
Jean-Claude Tremblay / Journal de Quebec
Jacques Lavergne comes to the aid of Marian Statsny in this vintage photo.
fewer books
Of course, no diet guru will whip up a more explosive weight loss cocktail than a never-ending hockey game.
For some, like Panthers defender Brandon Montour, simply standing up after spending a staggering 57 minutes and 58 seconds on the ice is a real feat.
“A player can easily lose 10 to 12 pounds in such a long game. It also depends on the type of gear that players like to wear. With synthetic and well-ventilated equipment, things are much better today. We no longer live in the age of leather gloves and cotton slippers that get very heavy when wet, but still! explained Lavergne.
The famous cramps
The most common problems players struggle with are dehydration and cramps, not to mention the risk of injury.
“No matter how much water or other high-electrolyte beverages you consume, you cannot make up for the loss. Guys end up eating sugary stuff like energy bars. Too much liquid on an empty stomach can lead to discomfort and even vomiting,” the experienced physiotherapist recalls.
“Some players will have cramps. Joint pain occurs because you overstrain your body. The back is also overtaxed. There are exercises where you take positions to stretch the muscles without overstretching them so as not to provoke an adverse reaction such as a cramp. It is important to do small massages or pressure points for relief.
ice baths and yoga
In the locker room between overtime, everyone finds their own way of preparing to return to the ice as fresh and fit as possible.
“Some guys prefer to change completely and put on dry suits. There are even some who quickly take a lukewarm shower. They will change stockings or gloves to give the body every opportunity to ventilate as much as possible to cool off,” says Lavergne.
And what about the harsh consequences when the body is injured and the mind is just waiting to be lost?
“Many find themselves in the frozen baths. The next day, some players will still hop on the ice or hit the gym, but only to burn off some lactic acid and reactivate sore muscles. You just have to keep the body’s will to move. More and more players are also doing yoga sessions to become aware of their posture,” says the former Nordiques.
The sixth longest game in NHL history
1. Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Maroons
March 24, 1936 (2:56:30)
Mud Bruneteau gave the Red Wings a 1-0 win by scoring in the 17th minute of the night’s sixth overtime at 2:25.
2. Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
April 3, 1933 (2:44:46)
Ken Doraty made the breakthrough for the Leafs by scoring the only goal of the game in sixth overtime.
3. Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Apr 5, 2000 (2:32:01)
Keith Primeau defeated Ron Tugnutt to give the Flyers a 2-1 win at 2:30 of fifth overtime.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Aug 11, 2020 (2:30:27)
During the pandemic, Seth Jones played without fans for 65 minutes in a losing streak as Brayden Point gave the Lightning a 3-2 win in fifth overtime.
5. Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars
Apr 24, 2003 (2:20:48)
Petr Sykora scored in the first minute of fifth overtime for the Ducks in a 4-3 win that saw Jean-Sébastien Giguère make 60 saves.
6. Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes
May 18, 2023 (02:29:47)
Matthew Tkachuk gave the Panthers a 3-2 win late in the fourth overtime while Sergei Bobrovsky saved 63 pucks.
LONG MARATHONS IN OTHER SPORTS
tennis
John Isner versus Nicolas Mahut
Wimbledon 2010 (11 hrs 05 mins – over 3 days)
baseball
Pawtucket Red Sox vs. Rochester Red Wings
1981 (33 innings)
Duration of more than 8 hours and completion 2 months after the initial appointment
basketball
Indianapolis Olympians vs. Rochester Royals
1951 (6 expansions)