Reply To: Diary of a Season 2014-15

[Tom Molloy]

Another crazy game on Saturday night. We were awful in the second period and fell behind 5-2 and then dominated the third with 22 shots. Tied it 5-5 with three minutes left then they scored with one minute left and we tied it with 3" left. We are scoring a lot but are giving up way too many goals. The problems range from giveaway's on high risk decisions, weak goals, not taking sticks in the slot. Our specialty teams are really good. So 3-0-1 in our last four games but we can't bank on scoring 5+ goals a game. We don't take very many penalties.

Players take turns being good on defense. In the 13-7 game it was one set of D were on for 6 GA. In the last game one line was on for 5 GA and that set of D played ok. The key is for them to get the good habits that take the highs and lows away, especially the lows. We are just rolling lines, so benching isn't an option right now. One player who was our weakest forward the first 8 games is now playing well and that is the key. To get everyone to the point that they can make a positive contribution and they can't get better sitting on the bench. The last five minutes is the only time we bench manage and only if they game is on the line.

This practice works on defenseman footwork, cycling in the offensive zone, good habits with the puck and covering away from the puck, angling and tight gaps. We go to a tournament on the weekend where we will play 4-6 games depending on if we are winning or not.

We have another practice tonight, off-ice on Wednesday, practice again Thursday evening and leave early Friday morning for the weekend tournament.

The player who got the spinal injury at the start of September sees the doctor today and we are expecting that he will get clearance to play.

I get the shots and the +/- charted for each period and then put together a summary for the coaches. I have attached the last game as an example. We chart where and who took each shot for each team and circle the goal scorer and put the +/- on the same sheet. I get a sheet after each period.

Attachments

• Blue Practice 09-11-14.pdf (378 KB)
• Blue 6 vs Bronks 6 – Nov 8.pdf (1 MB)

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'