The Albany River Rats played four games in five days last week, took Monday off, then skated through a short practice Tuesday to prepare for another 4-in-5.
This time, it starts with Worcester on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Hershey will host Albany Friday, before the River Rats swing a home-and-home Saturday and Sunday with Binghamton.
It will be the River Rats' last games against each opponent.
Atlantic Division-leading Worcester may have the second-best record in the AHL behind Hershey, but the Sharks downed the Bears 6-2 Sunday.
"They spanked Hershey pretty good at home," Albany coach Jeff Daniels said. "It's a team we don't see a whole lot, but if you look at their lineup, they've got a good mix of skill players, but also some guys who are hard to play against. They're getting great goaltending. They're on top of the standings for a reason and it'll be a good test for us to see where we're at."
Working through this late-season grind, he said keeping the team healthy is a priority.
"We had the day off yesterday and had a good skate today," Daniels said after Tuesday's practice. "I wasn't too taxing on them. We've got to keep them fresh for the games. That's our main focus right now. But they had a lot of jump out there today, so we'll hope that carries over to tomorrow night."
It has been a little harder to keep a pair of goalies healthy. Justin Peters is up with Carolina, rookie Mike Murphy, Justin Pogge and professional-tryout-signee Ryan Mior all are injured. Mike Morrison has won in his last four appearances, including all three games this past weekend.
"He did his job — three wins, some big saves, in Saturday night's shootout, he made some good saves in the shootout," Daniels said. "When he was dressing on Sunday, he was up for it. There was a five-on-three late in the second period and he made a couple saves. He's an older guy, he's experienced, he's played at all the levels, he's played in the National Hockey League, so nothing's going to phase him."
Daniels must look for another goalie to sign to a tryout contract to back-up Morrison and possibly get a start during this 4-in-5.
Morrison said he didn't tire and felt fine during the third game of the weekend, Sunday's 3-1 win over Syracuse, in which he stopped 27 of 28 shots.
"It's definitely a challenge, but I think the way I felt in those three games, having not played for a while, I didn't feel tired once," Morrison said. "We played that Syracuse game at 3 o'clock and I told some of the guys I wished we could have played again at 10 that night. I was ready to go. I wish we could play today [Tuesday]."
Morrison started the season with the ECHL's Florida Everblades. He said when he came up to Albany as a backup and now as he is starting games for the River Rats, his teammates have given him a lot of support.
"I think they're happy to see that I finally get a chance, because they know I can do it," Morrison said. "They see I mean well and work hard, and I want to be a leader and contribute. I don't just want to sit around and watch. This is a great team, but I'm sorry, I don't really want to watch hockey. I've watched enough of it. However many years I have left or games I have left, I want to make the most of it and play."
