Week 12 - Defensive Skating in Arcs + Stronger Sticks

We had 2 solid games this weekend. While we did not get a win, we were playing a very tough team. That team was comparably, maybe even better than, the Coquitlam team we played in Victoria. Subtracting the 2 minute span in the first game, it was a 2-2 tie. The second game was similar in that we lost the game late in the 3rd period. While we didn’t have as many chances, our goaltending was sensational! We can still compete with high-level teams like that.

Some things we need to work on to get above the threshold of winning those games include better puck possession, willingness to keep our speed up for 100% of the game, and stronger sticks in the defensive zone. We should also all be thinking about defending in arcs. Attacking a puck carrier straight on is often ineffective. We’ve talked several times about “surfing” or more generally skating in arcs. The benefit of this approach is that you put yourself in a much better position should you miss the check.

We will also keep mentioning these points:

• Scan
• Communicate
• No gliding
• Physical, but clean!

We have a couple weeks off from games. If you have extra time around the Thanksgiving holiday, consider watching some NHL games or highlights. Focus on what players are doing away from the puck, how defenders cover offensive threats, and how teams structurally defend their own zone. You can see how even breakdowns at that level happen and result in scoring chances.

See everyone on the ice!

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• Practice Week 12

Extra reading:

• Puck Acquisition: Strategies for More & Better Puck Touches

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