Reply To: DZC

[Tom Molloy]

hockeytexcan,
I think there have been some big changes in the D zone coverage since they started calling the rules. When I coached men's university hockey we would stop the cycle by pinning the puck carrier to the boards with the lasso around the body and knee between the legs, push the elbow with the free hand and holding him for about 3 seconds. Lots of players relied on the can opener because once you got the stick between a players legs he was useless. In the 90's the kid's coming from major junior added smashing the players head into the glass with the fore arm just for good measure. (I remember asking a recent graduate from the WHL what the hell this driving the head into the glass was all about. Lyle responded "Everyone does that in the DUB."

D zone coverage now requires a lot more contain skating with the stick on the puck and then body on body. Always remaining on the defensive side. Shortcuts result in penalties, especially when you can't reel the puck carrier in like a big tuna when he beats you.

The Scotty Bowman style of the strong side winger being able to touch the Dman with his stick has changed to players collapsing into a tight box in the slot. It is still man on and a box behind but the D in front is more likely to move below the goal line to cut off the pass to a player behind than to stand in front and react later. So it is a lot more man to man with the 2 D and F! low. When the neither D is in front the weak side forward, F2 has low slot coverage in front but still must be able to move out to the point if the puck goes there or pick the middle D up if he back doors.

So great skating is critical. Being able to transition skate front to back, back to front with the stick on the puck and be agile on the skates is critical.

Also overloading the corner is becoming more popular where if the other team dumps the puck in one D is on the puck, one D is below the goal line taking the pass behind or low cycle away and one F on the boards taking the cycle up the boards away. F1 will be near the faceoff dot for an outlet. Watch teams like Detroit do this, especially when one short.

Teams now will give you the pass to the point and F2 or F3 are responsable to block it. The pants and shin pads get better all the time with the shin protection wrapping around the leg. This takes a lot of the pain out of blocking shots (fear).

I am sure I have missed some things and invite other coaches to contribute. Pops, thanks for the kind words.

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