Given the great success NMU has had in shutting down Angelo Ricci and
Greg Johnson when playing DU and UND in Marquette, I'm wondering why
     "shadowing"--assigning a man-to-man kind of defense to a star
offensive player--isn't more common.  Obviously, the more other talent
there is on a team/line, the less successful this tactic will be, but
still. . .
 
I note the success the Wildcats had against Ricci and Johnson in
Marquette, because Rick Comley has commented that it's an easier tactic
to use at home since home teams get the last line change.
 
I'm certain that Scott Beattie's senior year (91-92) resulted in far
less scoring than his earlier ones because he WAS shadowed (not to
mention undressed!) by nearly everyone NMU played, both home and away.
It also probably accounts for the extraordinary year Dallas Drake had,
and in part for Jim Hiller's scoring resurgence last year.  Most years,
though, most teams don't have three players with the offensive power of
Beattie, Drake and Hiller, so I am surprised we don't hear very much
about using what seems to be a rather obvious defensive tactic.
 
 **********************************************************************
 *  Steve Christopher, NMU  [log in to unmask]             * * * *    *
 *  NCAA Division I Hockey National Champions  1990-91   *   GO   *   *
 *  NCAA Division I Hockey Final Eight 1991-92           *        *
 *  WCHA League Champions 1990-91                        * 'CATS! *   *
 *  WCHA Playoff Champions 1989-90/1990-91/1991-92 . . .   * * * *    *
 **********************************************************************