Defensive Zone Play
The wingers' responsibilities in the defensive zone include the following:
- wait for a pass from their teammates
- intercept a pass to the opposing defenceman
- attack the opposing defencemen when they have the puck
Wingers should typically not:
- play deep in their zone
- help out their teammates along the boards
Wingers should be playing high in the zone, and always be vigilant for a breakout pass or a chance to chip the puck offside. When wingers receive a pass along the boards, they can exercise a number of options:
- Bank the puck off the boards or glass to get it out of the zone
- Redirect or softly pass the puck to a rushing forward
- Shoot the puck out to the center line to another forward who can either set up an attack, or dump the puck into the offensive zone to summon a line change
- Carry the puck themselves to attempt a breakaway or an odd man rush
Read more about this topic: Winger (ice Hockey)
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