tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post5344442163734884994..comments2023-06-01T21:15:57.354-11:00Comments on The H Does NOT Stand For Habs: Authority Always WinsJ.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00012075493503316318noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-39436353062627483552009-11-29T13:38:08.875-11:002009-11-29T13:38:08.875-11:00@Coach K and DB:
I think you both are probably bar...@Coach K and DB:<br />I think you both are probably barking up the right tree with the puck control theory. The Habs very often can't complete a pass to save their lives, and as a result, they have trouble breaking into the opposing zone and maintaining presence there. They also have problems effectively moving the puck out of their own end because of their poor puck control. As a result, our guys take desperation penalties while the other team isn't forced to do that. <br /><br />I don't think it's a matter of size, skill or the system, however. I think it's partly the injuries that mean lines and D-pairings are mixed fairly often. And it's partly the fact that these guys just met each other three months ago. I think it would help if they spent a lot of time in practice focussing on short, crisp passing under pressure. Just passing. So much of the game depends on it, and the Habs generally don't do it well.<br /><br />That's just a theory though. I have no empirical proof of it. Maybe some brilliant soul with a lot of time on his/her hands can go through the game summaries and determine how often a Habs penalty comes immediately after a D-zone giveaway. Maybe I'll do it myself, in the interest of science, if I ever get a spare hour!J.T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00012075493503316318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-78522703517443218822009-11-29T07:36:58.054-11:002009-11-29T07:36:58.054-11:00Why the difference in penalties? I think there are...Why the difference in penalties? I think there are two reasons:<br /><br />1) This team has a lot of trouble clearing its own zone. As a result, the D gets tired and takes penalties.<br /><br />2) The Habs rarely have substained pressure in the offensive zone. Whether this is related to the size of the forwards, the system or something else I don't know. What matters is that the opposition doesn't seem to have much trouble clearing its own zone so they rarely are forced into taking penalties.DBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08774116563390591423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-57478985366003964832009-11-29T07:05:25.863-11:002009-11-29T07:05:25.863-11:00If you watch when Nash slammed Moen from behind, y...If you watch when Nash slammed Moen from behind, you can see the ref raise his whistle and hesitate. It almost looks like he realized the name and number said "Nash 61" and decided against the penalty. Then Moen finally gets up and misses Nash and gets called. That's what I call crap. Stuff like trips, hooks, and even high sticks I understand get missed or miscalled with the speed of the game (and the quality of the dive), but when it happens right in front of their eyes, especially with hits from behind... Yea, that's garbage. And when it happens to be the most consistent thing about the inconsistent officiating, it gets the conspiracies rolling. The Superstar Rule vs the Regular Joes Rule.Number31https://www.blogger.com/profile/04754429306690847476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435571560723564995.post-40797124674888183882009-11-29T06:20:53.380-11:002009-11-29T06:20:53.380-11:00Hi J.T. This is my first post but definitely not ...Hi J.T. This is my first post but definitely not my first read of your work. I really enjoy your analysis and humour. <br /><br />Nonetheless, as compelling as your observations are, the same thing applies to the pros as does the peewee team I coach. I've told them that regardless what the officials do to us, at the end of the day, the refs can't keep the puck out of your net nor do they score goals for your team. <br /><br />As for our Habs, I'd like to see the data that shows where on the ice the majority of their penalties occur (O-zone or D-zone) and who (defence or forwards) is getting them. I suspect that information would go a long way toward fixing what is wrong.<br /><br />As for not drawing them...I think that controlling the puck in the o-zone is the key. Chip and chase hockey won't get it done if you're always last to the puck. Maybe the forwards don't have sufficient puck-possesion time perhaps, due to a lack of skill, size or determination. As such, they really aren't considered enough of a threat to warrant taking a penalty. Could the explanation be that simple?<br /><br />Comments?Coach Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05092908264987398003noreply@blogger.com