The Value of Passing
December 4, 2008, by Homme De Sept-Iles
December 4th, 2008
Exerpted from Hockey Tough by Saul L. Miller
The more Montreal struggles, the more the hillbillies amongst the analysts bellow and strut for simpler methods and for more crash-and-bang hockey. There is a value in simplification, no question. However, the core of the Montreal game, specifically the top nine forwards, is in creativity and finesse. When the team is at its most confident and motivated, it is this type of game that flourishes for the Canadiens.
That said, the following excerpt from Saul Miller’s Hockey Tough, a Roger Neilson story reinforces the notion:
One of my favourite stories is about Roger Neilson lining players up on the blue line at practice and telling each line to skate as fast as they could to the far end of the rink. When he said “Go,” the first line sprinted down the ice as fast as they could. When they reached the far blue line, Roger fired a puck at the end boards. The puck beat the players to the end boards. Then he said “Go” again and the second line took off at full speed. Once more, he waited until the second line took off at full speed. Once more, he waited until they hit the far blue line and fired the puck, which beat the players to the end boards. He repeated the same thing with the third and fourth lines. Always the puck got there first. The players asked, “Rog, what’s the point, the puck’s always going to get there first?”
“Exactly,” replied Neilson. “the puck travels faster than you can skate. If you want to make something happen, pass the puck.”
Hockey is also a high-speed, lateral-flow game. Hockey success comes from everyone working together and moving the puck from player to player. Puck movement generates scoring opportunities.
Once the simplification calms the nerves, Montreal will surely return to their best game; a game of patience, poise and pretty passing. Which means pucks in the net.
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