Single-digit-aged mite players everywhere are shrugging their shoulders and rolling their eyes every time coach says it: “Win the one-on-one battles.”
Sorry, kids. Coach is right. You’ll have plenty of time to grasp the fact when you’re writing about it instead of playing.
The amount of times a player beats an opponent to a puck, comes out of the corner with it or gets around the defender for a clean break at the goaltender isn’t measured by stats, but we know how important each of those things are.
There is, however, a one-on-one battle that shows up on the sheet, and it’s maybe the most decisive element of all.
Win more faceoffs, win more games.
Continue reading “Faceoffs: The most important 1-on-1 battle in hockey”