Outlaws Top Line Visit Spa

[MapFreak 120]

Vincenzo Valentini, Travis Boychuk, and Azmet Ali took a weekend off recently in hopes of boosting their chemistry in the face of a stretch that sees their team go 9-9. The top trio has had their playing time cut lately in favor of the second unit (featuring Dexter Morgan and Kristoffer Ruud around Mikael Svensson) which is currently outpacing line one in point production.

 

The Finland-based Outlaws are a short flight away from the Swedish capital of Stockholm, where Valentini, Boychuk, and Ali spent a night at a spa – presumably being oiled up and massaged by world-class, blonde masseuses.

 

“When Travvie [boychuck] asked if I had ever been to Stockholm,” said right winger ‘Azi’ Ali, “the first thing that popped into my head was a eucalyptus sauna and deep tissue massage.”

 

The three linemates come from different ends of the world and their struggles to gel early in the season are being well-documented. Boychuk, who played in Ukraine before being drafted into the ‘M’, serves as assistant captain on top of being the first line pivot. As a leader and teammate, he’s been influential on his wingers Valentini (who played hockey between Italy and Canada before the minors) and Ali (a University of Vermont product).

 

“[boychuk]’s always looking to find ways for us to improve as a unit, you know?” Ali had to say on the subject, “He’s trying to pull us up. He’s earned a little hands-on relaxation from some Swedes.”

[STZ 5,387]

Svobo and Wylde did DDP Yoga