{allcanada} RNH ON AHL: "I REALLY HAVE TO BEAR DOWN THERE."

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The Edmonton Journal indicates both Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are simply embracing the fact that they are playing hockey during the National Hockey League lockout — a lockout which grew even longer on Thursday with the cancellation of regular season games through Oct. 24.

"That's the biggest thing, just getting back into the routine," said Eberle after Thursday's training camp scrimmage. "I'm just getting anxious to play."

The Barons play the Houston Aeros on Friday and Saturday in their only two pre-season tests, then open the regular season against the Lake Erie Monsters on Oct. 12.

The Barons will fly to Cleveland for that game against the Monsters on a commercial flight — not a charter jet, which is the norm in the NHL. At times, they'll have to schlep equipment bags, something else NHL players never do, but as far as AHL facilities go, the locker-room at the Cox Convention Centre is at the top of the heap.

It may lack the finishing touches that went into the $3-million digs at Rexall Place, but it's a comfortable alternative.

"It really was an easy transition," said Nugent-Hopkins. "There are little differences, but for the most part, it's pretty similar.

"Everything is well-run, the staff's great, the room is great … so it really doesn't feel like much of a difference. Maybe once the season goes on, we'll start to notice a few things, but so far it's been great.

"It's just good being with guys who are young. It should be fun joining a team like this," Nugent-Hopkins continued. "This is a good chance to work on some things we might not usually get to work on. I know I have to keep working on my defensive game and also my faceoffs. I really have to bear down there."

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