Team play and physicality. Those two things solve a bunch of problems (like the penalty kill and an anemic power play). Strong on the boards and covering each others backs pays dividends.
And I'd really like to see guys start having to get stitched up for elbowing/crosschecking/facewashing our 170lb captain. We have at least two guys on the roster that are big and can fight, but aren't really strong skaters. Lets use their strengths to send a message in every game that Barrett and the goalies are off limits, even if we take a few penalties for it. It's a long season. That stuff pays off in the long run, not only in protecting players health but giving guys like Barrett extra room to skate and goalies extra confidence.
I agree, gotta show that your willing to protect the captain/goalies. I would think most ECHL players respect Olson as a fighter from his time with Albany and Florida last year, though DeLory hasnt really had a chance to showcase what he can do. If you lookup his fights from his days in juniors, he was a machine. Im sure thats why he was drafted in the 4th round, he just has serious problems skating.
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Posted - 11/19/2010 : 3:19:24 PM
