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While Belleville coach Troy Mann knew Brown took the news of his demotion to the AHL hard at first, the two talked about coming up with a three-point plan to help him return to Ottawa, and that’s been the focus since he got back for his second pro campaign. The areas they’re working on have helped to give Brown focus when he gets to the rink.

First, Mann talked to Brown about winning one-on-one battles for the puck down low. Secondly, the Senators want to see improvement from him in the faceoff circle. The biggest one is working on Brown’s foot speed “so when he gets the puck at the defensive blueline it gives him the ability to create separation” with the opposition players tracking him.

The approach has paid dividends.

“Those are three things we’ve asked him to focus on,” Mann said. “We’ve got a plan in place on the ice and off to try to get better in those three (areas).

“I thought he looked fast Saturday night, and I know there’s a difference with the NHL, but he was winning battles and he was almost 72 per cent in the (faceoff) dot, and he had (four) points. I don’t know if you can ask much more from him in one game so we’ll how he progresses.”

Mann and Brown both know the organization isn’t sending him here permanently as long as he makes improvements.

That’s why Brown has arrived here with the right attitude to get back to the NHL. If he keeps playing the right way and doing the job, then the Senators won’t hesitate to bring him back.

“I feel like I’m ready, but understand I have to come down here and keep proving it,” said Brown. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

bgarrioch@postmedia.com

Twitter: @sungarrioch

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