BY IAN MENDES
sportsnet.ca

NEW YORK -- Nobody would have been surprised if Senators coach Cory Clouston had put his team through an intense practice, followed by a lengthy video session on Wednesday.

After all, his team has lost five consecutive games and have been outscored 22-5 in the process.

But instead, Clouston did the unexpected and allowed his players to have a fun, leisurely skate in Manhattan's Central Park. No sticks, no pucks and no coaches to bark at them about a struggling power play.

"We had fun with it. It was something we needed right now," defenceman Chris Phillips said. "That was the biggest thing, to come out and put some smiles on the guys' faces. Hopefully it well help turn this thing around."

"We have to get away from the game a little bit and have some fun," Mike Fisher said, adding with a smile, "It was good. It was the best ice we've skated on all year."

The players only found out about the event after Tuesday night's 6-1 loss in Atlanta. Organized by strength and conditioning coach Chris Schwartz, they spent about an hour playing dodgeball, handball and doing a fun shootout-type drill where the trainers served as the goalies. And even though it was all in the name of fun, the players were taking the competitions seriously.

"It's surprising. You think you're out here just for fun, but once the competitive juices flowing everybody gets into it and everyone is diving for balls," winger Jonathan Cheechoo said.

The player who may have benefited most from the day of stress-relieving activities was netminder Pascal Leclaire, who was pulled from Tuesday's game after allowing three goals in the first period. At one point during the session, Leclaire and teammate Chris Neil had a mock fight, with the Senators tough guy pulling the sweater over the netminder's head.

And to end the day at Central Park, Leclaire performed what he calls his signature dance move - The Flower - at the urging of his teammates.

"It's a dance move that looks a lot better in the bar than at Central Park," Leclaire said with a laugh. "I think it was a lot of fun. We forgot a lot of our problems right now. I think everyone had a lot of fun and it was good to change the routine."

The Senators, who have not won since Jan. 3, play the Rangers Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.