Pre-game - Finals Day

Crunch time.  Tomorrow the Wheelers play in the Semi Final versus the Shufflers at 2:10 pm.  The winner of that game returns at 6:30 pm to play the rested Rockers in the Grand Final.  Tall order and tough ask.  Not, however, impossible.  I've had a win and a draw against the Shufflers, and a win and two losses against the Rockers.

We will have to play hard to beat the Shufflers because they are a team that really wants to win and they have a number of shooters.  We are a better skating team, however, and as long as we keep our heads amidst the blows of the puck gods, and communicate, we should be able to prevail.

Assuming we do, our next task will be a huge ask, taking on the fresh Rockers in the Grand Final while we're still hurting from the earlier game.  Knowing they've beaten us two of the last three games.  Knowing we played poorly against them in the Preliminary Final.  At this point, we just have to build on what we did the game before, and be prepared to 'leave it all on the rink' by game end.  The rest will be up to the puck gods.

For our team,  we need to be very careful that don't get blown (or, until the end of the Grand Final at least).  But we will also have to skate hard.  The answer?  Shift discipline!  We also need to not let them 'get under our skin.'  No chat back, don't feed the trolls, respect the referee's position.

For me, to comply with this I will need to ask about basic approach to shift/line changes, changing on the fly, etc.  Requires definition of 'lines strategy' as a consequence, clarification of roles.  Urge communication.

More specifically for me, I need to start thinking positionally in terms of a 3 on 3 game.  Afterall, even though there is no icing or offside, that isn't a license to continually get caught pinching or playing forward as defence!  I need to look for the pass or for open rink when I have the puck in D or Centre.  I need to look for the shot when in the slot.When I don't have the puck, I need to create the pass on the offence, take out options when on the D.  When playing D, I need to stay between the puck and the goal.  I need to position myself so as to be able to keep an eye on the opponent as well as the play.  I need to talk with my team mates.

Passing, look for options, chip, dump, pass, boards?
Carrying, centralise, puck protection,  deke for control only while look for the pass or shot.
Shooting, shoot from the slot, snaps only unless have lots of time.  Chase rebounds.
Checking, stick on stick, body on body, watch the body not the puck, avoid leaning forward to pinch.  Hard initial acceleration to match their initial change of direction when faking.
Transition, particularly from offence to back check mode as soon as team lose possession, and to crash the net on the breakout for screen or rebound if not carrying the puck.
Backhand, shot, puck pick up, puck protection, carry, pass, etc.  Don't forget the option, especially for speed.  Don't forget the follow-through with stick.
Loose pucks, skate hard, puck support if not fighting for the puck.
Look think communicate.

A big day.