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Darcy Tucker had an unusual complaint after the Maple Leafs practised Monday.
"It was too bright out there," said the rambunctious right-winger. The NHL team's annual outdoor practice was held amid difficult conditions with gusting winds driving the chill factor into the -20s, a brief snow squall and a glaring sun. Head coach Paul Maurice ordered his men off the ice after 45 minutes.
The 250 children who got an hour out of school to bundle up against the cold loved every minute of it, and the players did, too. It was a refreshing break from routine for the Leafs before they resume their pursuit of the eighth and final NHL playoff berth with a home game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
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Toronto Maple Leafs' Mats Sundin is bundled up during practice at a newly refurbished outdoor hockey rink in Toronto, Monday, March 5, 2007. A glaring sun, wind gusts and a chill factor in the minus 20s cut short the Toronto Maple Leafs’ outdoor practice to 45 minutes Monday.(AP PHOTO/CP, Aaron Harris)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Bryan McCabe, left, looks on as Mats Sundin adjusts his balaclava during practice at a newly refurbished outdoor hockey rink in Toronto, Monday, March 5, 2007. A glaring sun, wind gusts and a chill factor in the minus 20s cut short the Leafs’ outdoor practice to 45 minutes Monday.(AP PHOTO/CP, Aaron Harris)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Yanic Perreault hands out pucks to kids during practice at a newly refurbished outdoor hockey rink in Toronto, Monday, March 5, 2007. A glaring sun, wind gusts and a chill factor in the minus 20s cut short the Leafs’ outdoor practice to 45 minutes Monday.(AP PHOTO/CP, Aaron Harris)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Nik Antropov skates during practice at a newly refurbished outdoor hockey rink in Toronto, Monday, March 5, 2007. A glaring sun, wind gusts and a chill factor in the minus 20s cut short the Leafs’ outdoor practice to 45 minutes Monday.(AP PHOTO/CP, Aaron Harris)