With the hockey world at a standstill amid the coronavirus outbreak, Claude Giroux is back home in Ottawa.
"Just spending time here with the family, haven't left the house in a few days," Giroux said Thursday on a conference call through the NHL communications department. "Just trying to stay busy."
So Giroux, a fierce competitor who loves to win at any challenge thrown his way, decided to take on one of his teammates in the electronic sports world.
Scott Laughton was not kind to the Flyers' captain.
“I bought an Xbox a couple days ago," Giroux said. "I played Scott Laughton at FIFA and I lost twice, so I haven’t really picked it up again. My confidence is hurting right now.”
If Giroux and Laughton were playing in the same room, one can only imagine the trash talk. Laughton probably gave Giroux plenty of virtual chirps. Or maybe he just let the scoreboard do the talking.
Anyway, Giroux will continue with his exercise and stay sharp for the next time he sees his buddy Laughton.
“I have a bike in my basement, that’s pretty much it," Giroux said of his routine right now during the NHL hiatus. "I’m kind of doing the old-school workouts — push-ups and sprints."
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