WINDSOR, Colo. – The only game that counts in a playoff series is the scoreboard and a win or loss, but there are many smaller games being played on and off the ice that also determine the winner and eventual champion. 
On the ice the specialty team’s game can predict and determine the Ray Miron President’s Cup champion at the end of the spring. If you look at the top of the power play and penalty killing stats in the playoffs, you will most likely find your championship team. The success of your power plays is relied upon to score that big goal when needed or to change the momentum of a game. Specialty teams use a lot of strategy and set plays or breakouts; a lot like football with regard to X’s and O’s. Every coach knows X’s and O’s don’t work if the individual X’s and O’s don’t work. Your five man power play unit still has to outwork their four man penalty kill unit. This puts your team’s strategy and set plays in motion; it just isn’t going to happen because you have a man advantage. On the other foot, your penalty kill is just as important and can create the same amount of momentum for your team. I witnessed this in game one of the Colorado – Quad City series where the Mallards killed off penalty after penalty and even a five-on-three in the first period. This gave them a great boost and allowed the Mallards to stay in the game and score with seven seconds left in the game to tie it up and go into overtime. Guess what happens in overtime – the Eagles once again are awarded a two-man advantage and the Mallards kill it off and again, they gain the momentum. They instantly go in on a breakaway on a turnover and score to win game one. The role of the rat – the antagonist comes to the forefront during the playoffs. This is the time of year you have to suck it up, take that punch to the head, that cheap shot. It’s the time of year you do not retaliate, you take a number. It’s a long series and you will run into this opponent again and then you take measures legally or illegally to level the playing field. Discipline is key to a team’s success in the playoffs. Everyone knows referee’s miss a call, but they rarely miss the retaliation penalty call on a play. With the game of specialty games being so pivotal in playoffs, your ability to suck it up and take one for the team, as the saying goes, plays such a big role along with playing the rat and sucking your opponent into an undisciplined penalty. The chess match between coaches is another game within the game. The systems your team plays on the forecheck start his game, whether it be the 2-1-2, the 1-2-2, or into the neutral zone with the trap, this engages the strategy to counter this. The Quad City Mallards predominately have been playing the trap, relying on David Brown to make the big saves and waiting for the Eagles to make a mistake, looking to jump on a turnover and create an odd man opportunity for themselves. This is stealing a page from coach Lou Lamoriello of the New Jersey Devils, playing the trap and depending on big saves from your goalie, with Martin Brodeur being played by Mr. Brown for the Mallards. Is it an exciting style of play? No, does it win championships? Yes – just ask Scott Stevens. What is Eagles coach Chris Stewart’s move against the trap? It’s stay aggressive, pedal to the metal – the Eagles have rarely played any other way. Another chess match is the individual line match-ups and being the home team. Having last change is a big part of the reason why we play 66 regular season games to determine home ice. Yes, it is nice to have the familiarity of your home arena, fans, bed and travel advantage, but the ability of having the control of the on-ice match up’s is another key. For example, late in game two of the Eagles – Mallards series, there’s an icing call pinning the Mallards in their own zone with a big draw. Coach Stewart pulls his powerful first line off and puts his energy third line out and they cycle the corners and create all sorts of momentum for the Eagles. Stewie then comes back with his top line in a mismatch against the Mallards’ second/third line and gets a big goal from Riley Nelson to tie the game. Checkmate. Contact the writer at les.borsheim@prohockeynews.com
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