We put together two nice wins in a row. We can build on what we accomplished in both games.
The key to our success is playing with grit and intensity every shift and winning every battle. In a few of our earlier games, we had trouble with this basic concept. When on the ice every play, every small situation, every opportunity to get the puck, to lose the puck, to get in position for a pass, to cover an opponent, is a battle that we must try to win. It’s simple to say; but hard to carry out with consistency.
The other post-game points worth emphasizing concerned (i) play in front of our own net, and (ii) positioning on the forecheck. When defending in front of our own net, it is critical that the focus be on the opponent. Too often, we have an opponent covered and then leave him/her because the puck happens to be sitting in front of the crease. Stay with the player. Always stay with the player. The puck cannot score itself. Our goaltender can cover the puck – he can’t cover the player.
With respect to the forecheck, one player deep. If we find ourselves deep in the offensive zone with 3 players in a straight line, that’s a problem. We need to always remember that our forwards need to be in a triangle on the forecheck. 3 players deep will lead to an on-man rush against us.
Again, we played 2 nice gritty games this weekend, despite a couple of our players sidelined with either illness or the dreaded family obligations.
We have a practice on Wednesday night.
We play a game on Saturday, and then practice on Sunday.
The Troy Tournament is less than 2 weeks away.
See you all at the rink. And a final Happy Birthday to Alex Hoover.
The key to our success is playing with grit and intensity every shift and winning every battle. In a few of our earlier games, we had trouble with this basic concept. When on the ice every play, every small situation, every opportunity to get the puck, to lose the puck, to get in position for a pass, to cover an opponent, is a battle that we must try to win. It’s simple to say; but hard to carry out with consistency.
The other post-game points worth emphasizing concerned (i) play in front of our own net, and (ii) positioning on the forecheck. When defending in front of our own net, it is critical that the focus be on the opponent. Too often, we have an opponent covered and then leave him/her because the puck happens to be sitting in front of the crease. Stay with the player. Always stay with the player. The puck cannot score itself. Our goaltender can cover the puck – he can’t cover the player.
With respect to the forecheck, one player deep. If we find ourselves deep in the offensive zone with 3 players in a straight line, that’s a problem. We need to always remember that our forwards need to be in a triangle on the forecheck. 3 players deep will lead to an on-man rush against us.
Again, we played 2 nice gritty games this weekend, despite a couple of our players sidelined with either illness or the dreaded family obligations.
We have a practice on Wednesday night.
We play a game on Saturday, and then practice on Sunday.
The Troy Tournament is less than 2 weeks away.
See you all at the rink. And a final Happy Birthday to Alex Hoover.
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