The end of the first half of the season for the Portage Terriers will see most of the team leave the city for home. Will McKay and Adam Belzil will each travel significant distances by air to get home, with McKay hailing from Terrace, British Columbia, and Belzil from Lévis, Quebec.
Belzil says that travelling home by car is not feasible for getting a real break, with the trip being about 28 hours of driving.
"It's too far from home. And it will take me three days, and I won't have time to rest up. Christmas is for rest, and if you don't rest up, it's going to be a hard second half. So, I think the best thing is to fly home."
He adds that he's planning to keep his events fairly low-key while at home.
"Just see family, enjoy the time that we get close with my family. And maybe go out on the ODR if they're ready, just get back into shape to be ready for the second half."
McKay adds that his trip will require a layover on in Vancouver.
"I take two flights to get home, Winnipeg to Vancouver, and then Vancouver to Terrace, because it would be about a 30-hour drive."
McKay also doesn't have big plans for the holidays, but hopes to get out on the water while he's there.
"It's a lot warmer there than it is here, so the river shouldn't be frozen, so I'll a lot of fishing," McKay continues. "Nothing crazy, spend time with [my family], Christmas, enjoy the break, but be ready to get back at it."