Reply To: The Unofficial ABC’s Off TopicTopic

[hockeygod]

The Russians Are Coming!

Actually, they were here and now they have left…

I watched the third period of the Russians (Severstal) play Tisdale Trojans (Saskatchewan) at the Mac's Tournament.

http://www.macstournament.ab.ca/tournament_11.html

This was the only game the Russians won out of four round robin games (score was 8-4.) The other three games, the opposition teams apparently really laid the body on them to minimize their time and space. Those games were played in the Max Bell arena – it is at least NHL size (maybe slightly bigger). The game I watched was on true International size at Father David Bauer (200' L x 100' w). So maybe this helped lead to their only victory (plus their opponent ended up winless in their pool.)

Pool 2 GP W L T GF GA PTS
Leduc Chrysler Oil Kings 5 3 2 0 6 19 13
Calgary Royals 4 3 1 0 6 8 8
Greater Vancouver Canadians 5 3 2 0 6 18 21
Russia HC Severstal 4 1 3 0 2 20 21
Tisdale Trojans 4 0 4 0 0 10 19

(The teams that played more than four games had moved onto the playoff rounds.)

What I saw of the Russians:

(1) Still most players shoot left-handed. I only saw four kids who shot right.

(2) They weren't all excellent skaters – which surprised me. Most were above average.

(3) Couldn't really judge their size as I was up top. Last time they were almost all over 6' tall. They didn't look any bigger / smaller than their opponents.

(4) Their stick skills (with and without the puck – offense and defense) were excellent! Great passers (direct / to space / indirect / redirect) and receivers (stick / feet) and deflectors (when in front of the net.) Their eye-hand coordination was excellent.

(5) Excellent puck possession skills (toe drags, quick hands, puck protection, turn backs, open men supporting puck carrier multiple times and always ready to receive – lots of give and go's, use of space (width and depth)).

(6) Above average shooting ability – deceptive, heavy, accurate shots with minimal telegraphing. They were usually in the "triple threat" position (pass / shoot / deke) with the puck when they entered the offensive zone… and often whenever they had the puck.

(7) They shied away from a lot of checks (when they had the puck) and they got caught in the cross hairs several times. It's not that they seemed to have their heads down – they just didn't seem used to the amount of hits / style of physical play. They did try to make bodychecks on their opponents, but not often. Looks like they are used to more of a flowing, freewheeling type game, which makes sense based on where they are from.

(8) Both teams took liberties(stick infractions). Lots of penalties. I am guessing the Russians were frustrated by all the body checking and Tisdale was frustrated they they hadn't won a game. Even short-handed, the Russians scored and made Tisdale look disorganized on the PP. The Russians played keep away, spread out all over the ice, and only dumped it when they had no other option / got tired and needed a change. The Russian PP really moves the puck around well.

Regretfully, I couldn't shoot any video as the safety netting (to protect us dumb fans from the puck when we are knitting / talking instead of watching the play!) causes the camera to focus on it in the foreground – the action is blurred in the background.

Based on my memory of a few years ago, this Russian team was not as tall / big / heavy; not as good of skaters; not quite as skilled – as their predecessors. And the team from a few years ago coped with the physicality of play much better – giving and receiving. Their team speed was better too. (I saw them play on the International ice last time too.)

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."