Skidding Bruins Practice at Belmont Hill School on Wednesday

The Bruins, stuck in an eight-game losing skid, held and interesting practice on Wednesday as they skated at Keller Rink at Belmont Hill School rather than their usual practice spot of Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington.

“It was actually nice ice,” B's coach Claude Julien told CSNNE.com. “We’re hoping it can [help]; a change of scenery and something different. Peter [Chiarelli] suggested it so we went with it.”

The trip was intended to shake things up for the B's who have a chance to end the franchise's longest losing streak in 54 seasons when they host the Canadiens Thursday night.

“It’s fun, it’s a nice facility,” veteran forward Mark Recchi told WEEI.com. "We’re just trying to work our way out of this, trying stay positive and to stick together. Wherever we practice it doesn’t really matter. We still have to stay positive.”

Missing from the B's field trip were defenseman Matt Hunwick and forward Steve Begin. Hunwick was spotted icing his knee after Tuesday's loss to the Capitals, but Julien wouldn't elaborate on the extent of their absence, referring to their day off as "maintenance days."