Shantz My Pants
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You’ve probably heard this phrase uttered a million times in the last week or so when people are talking about the Hawks and their current 8 game losing skid. Hell, I’ve heard current players talk about this “We need to keep things simple”. Yet, if you have been watching any of the games on this current losing streak, you will realize that the Hawks are not doing anything that is considered “simple”.
In case you are not aware (which from the presence of new fans over the last 4-5 years) the phrase “Keeping it simple” in hockey means the same thing in pretty much any other scenario it is used in. Make good outlet passes, gain entry to the zone, if you are pressured with no options get the puck deep etc. The Hawks are not doing the simple but instead are essentially making mistakes that are basic no-no’s in hockey. Last game against Phoenix for example I watched Andrew Shaw try and bank the puck off the boards so he could clear it out of the Hawks zone. Instead of just firing it out down the boards, he put the puck on an angle were it popped right into the middle of the Hawks zone. I’ve seen Huet play better angles then this. Luckily we didn’t get scored on (there was a shot though, and a scoring chance) but that was such a simple play it shouldn’t of gotten to the point of a scoring opportunity. It’s the little things like that type of play that will build up and cause these losses because eventually teams take advantage of those chances.
The simple things… like knowing who your man is in the defensive zone and STICKING with him. I’ve heard plenty of people complain about our goaltending and while it’s not the greatest tandem in the league, they are not the worst either. The problem is they get left out to dry way too many times because the shooters are getting off uncontested quality shots. I don’t care who your goaltender is; if they are seeing 10-15 (some nights more) QUALITY shots a night, eventually they are going to slip through the cracks. Lessing the gap (the distance between the defenseman and the shooter) is one way to shore up these quality shots against. Another simple idea is for our forwards to play as they are SUPPOSED to in the zone i.e. their position. Take for instance the first Phoenix goal against where the shot went off of Lepisto. That play should never of happened had the Hawks kept it simple. Stalberg turns the puck over at his own blue line instead of going off the boards or batting it out. Next, where is Jamal Mayers? Oh wait, he’s at center ice because he blew the zone WAY too early as a center (typically you are the last forward out of your zone). This results in all the forwards being out of their defensive position and Lepisto having to cover two separate Coyotes. If the Hawks had kept it simple and gotten the puck out AND played their positions correctly (the center) there would not have been a goal scored.
I could point these little flaws out all day (I choose not to because it would become redundant and boring… I applaud you if you are still even with me at this point), fact of the matter is if the players and whomever are going to keep bringing up the phrase “we need to keep it simple” then they might as well try for once and keep it simple on the ice.
-TJD
Click here to view the article
In case you are not aware (which from the presence of new fans over the last 4-5 years) the phrase “Keeping it simple” in hockey means the same thing in pretty much any other scenario it is used in. Make good outlet passes, gain entry to the zone, if you are pressured with no options get the puck deep etc. The Hawks are not doing the simple but instead are essentially making mistakes that are basic no-no’s in hockey. Last game against Phoenix for example I watched Andrew Shaw try and bank the puck off the boards so he could clear it out of the Hawks zone. Instead of just firing it out down the boards, he put the puck on an angle were it popped right into the middle of the Hawks zone. I’ve seen Huet play better angles then this. Luckily we didn’t get scored on (there was a shot though, and a scoring chance) but that was such a simple play it shouldn’t of gotten to the point of a scoring opportunity. It’s the little things like that type of play that will build up and cause these losses because eventually teams take advantage of those chances.
The simple things… like knowing who your man is in the defensive zone and STICKING with him. I’ve heard plenty of people complain about our goaltending and while it’s not the greatest tandem in the league, they are not the worst either. The problem is they get left out to dry way too many times because the shooters are getting off uncontested quality shots. I don’t care who your goaltender is; if they are seeing 10-15 (some nights more) QUALITY shots a night, eventually they are going to slip through the cracks. Lessing the gap (the distance between the defenseman and the shooter) is one way to shore up these quality shots against. Another simple idea is for our forwards to play as they are SUPPOSED to in the zone i.e. their position. Take for instance the first Phoenix goal against where the shot went off of Lepisto. That play should never of happened had the Hawks kept it simple. Stalberg turns the puck over at his own blue line instead of going off the boards or batting it out. Next, where is Jamal Mayers? Oh wait, he’s at center ice because he blew the zone WAY too early as a center (typically you are the last forward out of your zone). This results in all the forwards being out of their defensive position and Lepisto having to cover two separate Coyotes. If the Hawks had kept it simple and gotten the puck out AND played their positions correctly (the center) there would not have been a goal scored.
I could point these little flaws out all day (I choose not to because it would become redundant and boring… I applaud you if you are still even with me at this point), fact of the matter is if the players and whomever are going to keep bringing up the phrase “we need to keep it simple” then they might as well try for once and keep it simple on the ice.
-TJD
Click here to view the article
