I tried so hard not to write anything but all this talk got me going.
 
Being an ex-goalie, I believe that Defense will win you most hockey games. The
ironic twist to this style is that during the regular season most teams are
free-wheeling and trying to score. Those teams that concentrate on defense tend
to not finish at the top (ie. Florida Panthers last year). When playoffs come,
and we all know the style of play changes, those offensive teams seem to
struggle scoring because they are now concentrating on defense. The defensive
minded teams always seem to be the teams who get the lucky bounces, right?
Wrong. The defensive minded team has played that way all year, and are in the
proper positions and can anticipate the play better than the
offensive-turned-defensive team. Thus defence usually wins.
 
Now, what makes a good defensive team?
1. A solid, consistent goaltender. A guy who can steal one for you every now and
then but doesn't LOSE any for you.
2. Solid, smart defensemen. They don't all have to be 6'5" 220 lbs. Heads-up and
can anticipate.
3. Quick and agile centermen. Most teams play three men low in their own zone.
The centermen must react very quickly to the guy "floating" around the net. The
great centermen can then transition into offense immediately.
 
Defensive hockey when simplified goes like this.
 
3 men down low (2 defensemen, plus centerman)
Wingers stay on points
Goalie stop all perimeter shots. (Not Grade A scoring chances)
 
Perform all of the above, and the victories in the PLAYOFFS will start piling
up.
 
My two cents (or in Canadian currency 4 cents).
 
Craig Lisko
Ferris State Bulldogs 1990-1994
 
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