Execution and puck control...two basic principles that are taught in pee wee hockey. You would expect NHL players to be able to follow these two principles every game throughout the whole game. Yet, the Penguins lacked both in the last four minutes of their collapse against the Boston Bruins.
This was a total group of effort on the part of both the players and the coaching staff. The players have to realize that you cannot sit back and put the win in your back pocket when you have four minutes left in the game. When your goalie keeps you in the game by spectacular play up to the four-minute mark, you rally around him and bring it home for him.
The killer instinct and desire to step on the neck of the Bruins was not there. There was no checking, puck control or the willingness to play smart hockey and stay out of the penalty box when the Pens had the game in their grasp. The defense stood around, did not give up the body, did not clear the front of the net or take control of play in their own end.
The body language of the coaching staff, in the last four minutes, showed a lack of passion and a look of shock on t ...
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Article written by Scott Barner
Pittsburgh Penguins’ Execution, Puck Control Lackluster in Shocking Boston Loss
January 10th, 2011 by Scott Barner Leave a reply »
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