Working with the wingers

Going into Tuesday night’s practice I was more concerned with working on our positioning and coverage of the points than I was about working on our speed. Some of the younger players needed to work through knowing where to go, how to get there and what to do when they did achieve good positioning. This was not only from a defensive point of view, but how to capitalize on offensive positioning. Leaving the points open by playing too deep on the wing in our own zone created two problems. First, the other team’s defense had a direct shot into the goal area, and second – no one was able to break out. This left us without the ability to move the puck with any speed through the neutral zone. We also did not create too many turnovers at the blue line that would work to our advantage. We spent a lot of time going over this with the whole team. Things did seem to improve as we continued to run through a controlled face off. I like to break out very fast with good passing rather than trying to skate through the other team in our own end. This is where it is critical to move into the open ice to receive a break out pass and start rushing through the neutral zone into the other team’s prime scoring area. In our zone we need to let the defense and sometimes center work the puck out. Wingers should not drift either deep into our own zone, or overload one side of the ice leaving big areas open for the other team to move or shoot through onto our goal. Everyone needs to look around and cover for each other if one position is not supported. On the other end we want our wingers to work deep into the corners and go to the goal. This is not only for shots, but also for the rebounds created by shots from the point or in the slot. You need to be on your toes and move fast to play deep. Hanging out shallow on the blue line with the defense doesn’t do us much good – especially if no one is ready at the goal for a pass, rebound, or shot. The practice went well, and I saw some good things from some of he younger players who are starting to see what we are looking for during the game. Covering a strong defense is not easy if you can’t keep one eye on them and one on the puck. If the point you are covering moves away to take a pass – you have to be able to intercept the puck. You need to be ready if you do get your stick on the puck. To do this you often - if not always need two hands on your stick to battle for the puck or lift the opponents stick and take the puck. Be ready, be alert and make things happen. Look for the loose pucks in front of the net, and go to the net ready to act quickly when your opportunity for a goal presents itself. It will, you can bet on that. Working together as a team makes all this possible, and each time you face these situations you will get a little faster, a little more confident, and most likely a lot more successful. It’s spitting snow outside my window tonight, and it feels more and more like hockey season finally.