The Bruins train on a unique rink at the Utah Olympic Oval

“I think when I first came in (after the franchise moved from Arizona) we didn't have that rink so it was safe for you to check it out and I didn't know any better so I was nice of like : “Oh my God, okay, there’s still a lot of work to do,” the Utah coach said Andre “The Bear” Tourigny he said Friday afternoon after his team's practice and just before the Bruins took the ice. “And when I came back in September and came in, I said, 'Okay, this is really good for a setup that's only going to last for a year.' I find that impressive.” “

Against a backdrop of Olympic rings and plaques celebrating the numerous speed skating records set at the facility, the Bruins practiced while the dueling Zambonis cleaned the track that surrounded them.

“I’d like to go for a spin, but I don’t think we’re allowed to,” he said Trent Frederickwho made a miniEric Heathen Impersonation for a few steps. “It's cool. I've been to a similar one in Milwaukee, but this is really cool. I think there should be more of it. It's kind of smart, I think.”

Tourigny said he would sometimes use the oval surface when no one was practicing.

“We do it for rehab skating and also for some skill drills,” he said. “Last year we had two teams, so we’re trying to use some of the fast track and the short track to work on some skills and other things.”

The renovation of the facility included the construction of a new locker room for the home team as well as the necessary training and therapy rooms.

“The facility is great. I was surprised, I thought my voice wouldn't be convincing just because there is so much openness, but that wasn't a problem, the players could hear me. So practice went smoothly and the ice was good,” Bruins coach said Jim Montgomerywho noted that he had no experience in speed skating. “I asked (Brad Marchand) if he wanted to lengthen his stride and do a few laps.”

The only downside is that the temporary visitors' locker room is in the basement, forcing the Bruins to climb a few flights of stairs in full gear.

“It is a very unique facility. Setting up a practice track is a little strange, but it's always cool to see something different and have the different athletes you can train and interact with. It’s pretty impressive to see,” Marchand said, noting he hasn’t climbed stairs to practice since a youth hockey tournament in Prince Edward Island.

Sergachev ready to attack

Mikhail Sergachevwho came to Utah in a trade from Tampa Bay in the offseason, is looking forward to renewing his acquaintance with the Bruins on Saturday night at the Delta Center.

The defenseman pointed out a number of challenges that come with playing in Boston.

“Well, they are front runners (of Pavel Zacha, Elias LindholmAnd David Pastrnak), obviously, and now they have some good Ds and are just a good all-around team. They have a good goalkeeper,” Sergachev said. “It was always fun playing against them and going into this game you know you're going to take a hit.

“You have to play fast and get rid of the puck quickly because they check beforehand. Honestly, it’ll be fun.”

Similar approach

Montgomery sees many similarities in the way Utah and Colorado play and said speed is of the utmost importance. The Bruins opened their three-game trip, which ends Tuesday in Nashville, with a 5-3 win over the Avalanche on Wednesday.

“Their speed in transition is very noticeable. They have three lines that can score,” Montgomery said. “So, I mean, we just have to check really well. We have to be really good at getting to the pucks so they can get through us. Very similar to Colorado.

“Colorado is a speed team that caught us with some strange rushes. We allowed too many odd-man rushes last game, but we were very good at checking for most of the game.”

Marchand updates

Marchand, who missed some time early in the third period against the Avalanche, said he was “good.” … The reason the Bruins practiced at the Utah Olympic Oval was because Iron Maiden booked the Delta Center. The English heavy metal band has been rocking since 1975 and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” remains their best work (just an opinion).

Jim McBride can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @globejimmcbride.