BACK TO BUSINESS

Four days off at Christmas when you have four little kids isn't exactly the definition of rest and relaxation.
And as for sleeping in, well, that's wishful thinking.
"It is busy with four young kids," agreed Flames netminder
Mike Smith
with a grin. "My oldest, my six-year-old, was up at 3:30 on Christmas morning. He said Santa came so he wanted to open his presents. We said Santa is going to come back if you don't go back to bed!"

Smith and his teammates returned to the ice for practice Wednesday following their holiday break before heading to the airport after to jet off to California for a two-game, back-to-back swing.
They play the San Jose Sharks Thursday night (8:30 p.m., TV: Sportsnet West, Radio: Sportsnet960 The FAN) before taking on the Anaheim Ducks Friday (8 p.m., TV: Sportsnet West, Radio: Sportsnet960 The FAN).
As one of the busiest goaltenders in the league, you'd expect the time off - a day longer than most seasons - was welcomed by Smith.
Having logged 1797:23 of action this season, he trails only Toronto's Frederik Anderson (1806:18) and Columbus's Sergei Bobrovsky in that department.
Smith, though, found the festive furlough to be a catch-22: short-term pain of sorts for long-term gain.
"I don't really, honestly, like that many days off," said Smith. "I think (anything) over two days, coming back is harder. It's probably the same for everyone else. It's always that first day back is a little physically demanding because you've had time off and lose that physical edge a bit.
"(But) I think anytime you can get rest during the season, it sets up well for down the road. As the season dwindles down, you hope to be playing a lot of games and it's valuable."
And even though 3:30 wake-up calls aren't ideal, getting some down time with family goes a long ways to recharging the batteries.
The Smiths stayed around town for the break, but did get away to Lake Louise for a night in the mountains with skating and a sleigh ride for the kids and their cousins.
"I think mentally it's an important break," said Smith. "Through the course of the season you can get mentally tired, especially the position I play. So I think that part of it is nice. You get to kind of not think about hockey for a little bit, just kind of get your mind away from the game and spend time with family, which is crucial."
Smith can count on a little more rest before the week is over, with coach Glen Gulutzan saying yesterday that Smith will play one of the back-to-back tilts with
David Rittich
getting the start in the other.
He said the decision on who will play which game is in the hands of goaltending coach Jordan Sigalet.
Gulutzan, who spent some of the four days off back in Saskatchewan at Fishing Lake, said the break was welcome for everyone, including his No.-1 goalie.
"I think Smitty is going to be refreshed and we're going to try and manage the second half a little better," said Gulutzan.

ONE TIMERS

Jaromir Jagr, who has sat out the last two games with a lingering lower-body injury, took part in the team's practice Wednesday and will make the trip to California. Gulutzan said the decision on whether he'll play against the Sharks will be made tomorrow … Travis Hamonic was also back on the ice after missing the last game with a lower-body injury of his own and should be a go in San Jose: "Ya, we think so. Talking to him today looks like he's going to be good," said Gulutzan.