The recipe for beating a defensive hockey team.

I found this article in the Cornell Sun and I think this is a recipe for a really boring brand of hockey. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to watch this crap. Just ask Minnesota Wild Fans, we have finally been freed of this mentality. Maybe this is why the Cornell coaching staff wants to get away from this type of hockey.

This conservative team scheme that Cornell plays was exposed by two national coaches last season; BSU coach Tom Serratore, actually did it to two teams on consecutive nights during the NCAA Midwest regional’s in Grand Rapids, MI. The first night the Beavers took it to Notre Dame and then followed up that effort against Cornell the next night in the regional championship game. UND coach Dave Hakstol also exposed Cornell during a Friday night game last November 28, 2008 at the REA.

Here is how you defeat that type of team scheme. First you get on top of them early with a fore check, when they have the puck you’re in their face and on top of them. Cash in on your offensive zone opportunities and get a lead and make them press and skate, skate, skate and force them to play your game. Also, with the high pressure game you take way the passing lanes and you get into their face. Keep pressing and don’t let up. This offensive mind set took Notre Dame off its game and they could never recover. Keep getting the pucks deep; keep the shifts short roll three and four lines and counter attack at every chance you get. Don’t let them slow the game down.

The transition from a “grind-it-out” style to a more offensive-centric formula will signal a shift in of coaching tactics from Schafer. Throughout Schafer’s tenure at Cornell, the program built a reputation for superior goaltending, defensive-minded forwards and oversized defensemen who controlled the neutral zone and shut down top-line scorers.
The approach to winning games included systematically wearing down the opponent through relentless cycling, capitalizing on the best opportunities, and playing a trap game in the third period.

With stronger league competition and national contenders like North Dakota and Boston University on the schedule this year, Schafer understands that to win, the team must run four lines that consistently threaten to score. Without a checking line, the team may sacrifice the best counter-punch to top scorers, but it gains a level of offense perhaps unseen in Schafer’s 15 years on East Hill. A hybrid approach, balancing the need for strong defense with the need to score more goals, makes Cornell a legitimate threat to make a deep run this year. [Cornell Sun]