DENVER – Scott Mayfield has adapted the Mile High City as his hometown after playing for the University of Denver from 2011-13 and his parents have moved from St. Louis as well. So the Islanders defenseman knows all too well some of the difficulties of playing at a high altitude.
“It affects everyone differently and it’s more of a mental grind but you’ve got to make sure you get your recovery time on the bench,” Mayfield said as the Islanders faced the Avalanche on Monday night at Pepsi Center.
“You don’t notice it when you’re out there [on the ice] as much but as soon as you’re on the bench and you’re trying to relax and they ask you to go right back out there, you’re like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m not recovered yet,’” Mayfield added.