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"Off The Ice" With Craig Adams: "It's Time To Get Back To Work"

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) -- Penguins forward Craig Adams joined the Cook and Poni Show Tuesday in his regular weekly spot.

Adams says it was nice to get a week off to recharge the batteries, but it's time to get back to work. They will be on the ice Wednesday and will get a full week of practice in before resuming play on Feb. 27.

He said Team USA is getting the chance to see what Dan Bylsma is all about.

"We think really highly of Dan and all of the players in the league who have been around him are impressed, and Team USA is getting a chance to experience it now." Adams said.

He said Bylsma has Team USA playing a lot like he does with the Penguins, adding that the players like they've gelled and are more comfortable than other teams, like Canada or Russia who look like they're still trying to find their way.

But that doesn't mean he is ready to give up on Sidney Crosby and Team Canada to win Gold.

"Sid has been playing well. The goals just haven't been there," Adams said. "He has always been able to perform on the big stage and all of Canada hopes that will continue"

He says he selfishly wished they would have kept Crosby and Kunitz together longer. He doesn't agree with those that say it's hard to play on a line with Sidney Crosby.

"Whenever I have had the chance I relished the opportunity," Adams said. "Nobody out there would ever not want to play with him. The only difficult part is getting up to his level."

Adams said he can understand what type of pressure Malkin is in, playing at home in Russia and having the weight of the entire country on him.

"Russia is still finding their way. The longer the tournament lasts for them the better they will look," Adams said. "It's not an easy tournament"

Adams said he had a nice vacation but he is getting that itch to get back out there tomorrow and get back to practice.

He tells the guys that team really was playing well heading into the break, but that momentum won't carry over. He hopes the adjustment to getting back won't take long. He expects it will be the hardest for the Olympians returning and the rest of the guys will need to step up and carry them for the early games.

Listen to the full interview here:

Off the Ice

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