Calling All Defense!

D-FENSE!! D-FENSE!!

True, most “hard core” hockey fans laugh off the Mighty Ducks movies and think of them as merely another Disney scheme to make money; after all Joshua Jackson is no Paul Newman, but there are still valuable lessons to be learned from these films.

“What’s the one thing all great teams have in common?…Defense. See, unlike scoring, defense never quits.” Coach Orion – Mighty Ducks D3 “How long does it take it to score a goal? Less than a second, that means no lead is safe if you can’t play defense.” Coach Orion – Mighty Ducks D3.

If you haven’t picked-up on the theme of this post, it’s DEFENSE! A successful defense is the key to a successful hockey team. I figure there are a few types of “successful” defense options out there.

Physical, Smash and Bash type of Defense:

While now a day there seems to be fewer well known “goons” as they are so lovingly referred to by hockey fans everywhere, a successful defense could be one that has aggressive, hard hitting, and forceful checks. They could be a group of guys who aren’t afraid to go after an opponent in open ice, not afraid to incur those two minutes for a charge, boarding or roughing penalty. These types of defense bring a whole new meaning to the phrase… “if you can’t beat ‘em, beat ‘em!” And this type of defense works! There is something to be said about a team who can be down by a goal or two, who can find fire and inspiration in an unexpected hit or a meaningless fight; something that for some reason strikes passion in the eyes and hearts of the forwards to fly down the ice and find a way to score and bring their team back into the game.

Offensive Defense:

Another type of successful defense is one that can contribute to the goal count in each game. Whether this team’s defense can check and fight may be irrelevant if the men on the point can find a way to shoot and score. Typically this type of defense will shine on a penalty kill or power play. They are the type of defense who appreciates and understands the importance of just getting the puck to the net and things will happen, whether the puck finds a hole and makes it in or crowding around the net causes the puck to be deflected and get past the goalie. The idea behind this successful defensive approach is… you can’t score if you don’t shoot, so everyone’s gotta shoot.

The last line of Defense:

The last line of defense and probably the MOST important … an amazing goalie! No matter if a center wins the face-off deep in a zone, or if a player loses his edge around center ice, a goalie MUST be superb between the pipes if a team hopes to win. A team can score 6 goals but if their goalie can’t stop7 they will lose. There is much debate these days about whether the NHL is experiencing a lull in outstanding goalie play or if shooters and play makers are just better than ever before. But if you stop and think about, your goalie often times is the life and death of your team; the pressure typically rests solely on the goalie’s shoulders. With the “newer” shootout rule the goalie is the focal point far more than he was back in the 90’s and prior. A goalie today not only has the potential pressure of a shutout weighing on their mind, or the occasional penalty shot, but with the looming siren of the end of each third period where a score is tied, overtime and what may await beyond is pressure beyond belief. Imagine after 65 minutes of non-stop action on the ice, having to be on your game, stopping 20-40 pucks being shot at your body (some close to 100 mph, especially if playing against the Bruins and their giant, Zdeno Chara), you now have to go head to head with a skilled skater/shooter, not once but several times, as thousands of eyes are glued on you… will you make the save?!?!?!?! – talk about pressure! Talk about the ultimate in defense! If your goalie can do it, if your last line of defense can do it, your team wins! The goalie is the last line of defense; the goalie is the Ultimate Defense.

So whether the team you support has an aggressive defense, an offensive defense, or relies on one of the league’s premier goaltenders, a team can ONLY be successful if their defense is successful. A team won’t get far if their defensive players skate around trying to look big and bad, but all they really are is a bunch of guys with lack luster passing skills, who have mediocre aim both when shooting the puck and trying to check someone along the boards. And a team absolutely cannot win if they don’t have a man between the pipes who will step up, accept the challenge, and carry the weight of his team on his shoulders, without blinking an eye or breaking a sweat. (ok ok so maybe he’ll break a little bit of a sweat, after all he is playing a sport and hopefully playing it to his fullest potential)

So what kind of defense does your team play? Do they play a mix of the three types? Mine relies on their last line of defense, way too much – You Rock Vokoun and Clemmensen!