EPTOn November 10 2011 16:44 iCanada wrote:
I think what the Flyers did out there tonight is stupid. The 1-3-1 is an effective way of clogging up the neutral zone and slowing the pace of the game, but it is hardly impenetrable. In fact there are several ways to get through a 1-3-1 defensive setup effectively.
All you really need is good puck possession, actually... and you can get through in any number of ways. Hell, it isn't even like the Bolts employ a good 1-3-1. They are always a touch tentative and they lack consistent speed throughout the lineup to cash in on counter attacks. Not only that but they have mediocre goaltending and panic once they hit their own zone. Despite how hard they trap they have the 5th highest goals against average in the league, and their best two defensman are injured. We aren't talking about an impenetrable defensive stalwart here, we are talking about a defensively lacking team play a system to correct it.
That is actually one of the reasons why I like the smaller rinks; makes the game faster because the dump and chase is always a viable tactic. In a euro rink you can't dump and chase and therefor are forced to skate through such a trap. Turns the game into a soccer match... boooring. Also makes it look easier to take the puck to the outside on offense leading to less quality scoring chances in prime positions, and more shots from weak far angles.
Imo, I think the second/third times the refs blew down the play they should have given out some delay of game penalties. That isn't Hockey is embarrassing.
I think what the Flyers did out there tonight is stupid. The 1-3-1 is an effective way of clogging up the neutral zone and slowing the pace of the game, but it is hardly impenetrable. In fact there are several ways to get through a 1-3-1 defensive setup effectively.
All you really need is good puck possession, actually... and you can get through in any number of ways. Hell, it isn't even like the Bolts employ a good 1-3-1. They are always a touch tentative and they lack consistent speed throughout the lineup to cash in on counter attacks. Not only that but they have mediocre goaltending and panic once they hit their own zone. Despite how hard they trap they have the 5th highest goals against average in the league, and their best two defensman are injured. We aren't talking about an impenetrable defensive stalwart here, we are talking about a defensively lacking team play a system to correct it.
That is actually one of the reasons why I like the smaller rinks; makes the game faster because the dump and chase is always a viable tactic. In a euro rink you can't dump and chase and therefor are forced to skate through such a trap. Turns the game into a soccer match... boooring. Also makes it look easier to take the puck to the outside on offense leading to less quality scoring chances in prime positions, and more shots from weak far angles.
Imo, I think the second/third times the refs blew down the play they should have given out some delay of game penalties. That isn't Hockey is embarrassing.
Refs couldn't do anything. They shoulda just called the play dead quicker. First time they took almost 40 seconds. It was obvious what was happening after 5seconds. I also expect the NHL to just ignore this as to not draw any more attention to it.
Easiest way to beat 1-3-1 is dump and chase with speed. They cannt touch you without getting a penalty until your behind their net with the puck.
