What to do? Stuck on a slow line...

[TheSkatingDead 0]

I play in a B league group and the teams were re-drafted for this new session. Not to be modest, but for informational purposes only, I was the first draft choice this time around. The team with the worst record gets first pick and I was picked up by them (which, ironically, was the same team I was on last time). I know a few of the guys and my captain, so I was extremely excited to start a new session and to hopefully get a few wins this time. Last night was our first game of the new summer session and it was absolutely horrible... it was an embarrassing blowout lose 12-4.

In the locker room before the game I heard the captain said that someone on the team emailed him and requested a certain line, which I thought was a little ballsy considering we haven’t even played together yet. So the lines were set per his request and I ended up getting stuck with two C players on my line. Not that I care, but I’m more of a fast paced style player and my line mates just could not keep up. I made sure to pass the puck (as I’m not a puck hog), but they would just end up missing the pass or turning it over.

I’m sure by the end of the game everyone on my team could sense my frustration and I realize that it’s all for fun, but I’m tired of losing every game we play and was irritated about the line request made as it didn’t even give the team a chance to see how we all could have played together.

Afterwards, while getting undressed, I didn’t even have a few beers (and I even brought them!), packed up my stuff and left quickly. I’m sure I could have handled it differently as my emotions always seem to get in the way… but I was frustrated and just wanted to leave.

I don’t really want to cause issues on the team by complaining to the team about the line choices, so I’m thinking of just dropping back to defense, so I don’t have to deal with the line issue and just try to have some fun. Besides, we lack the defensive skill, so it might be a better fit…

So, my question to you all… what would you do?

Sorry for the long post, I just needed to vent and hopefully get some comments on how you would all handle it.

Thanks

[wrangler 157]

Since the captain is responsive to line assignment requests, why not make your own? You could open the subject by asking him what line changes he'll be making. Hopefully that will lead him to think that line changes are necessary and expected, and he'll make some. If he doesn't seem interested, you can tell him that you want to play defense.

If you're playing for fun, you should be having fun, or you're in the wrong place.

[Buzz_LightBeer 969]

Understanding that its frustrating, I try to use it as teaching opportunities. Make sure they know to be in the right position at the right time. The more teams focus on defending you, the more time it will give the other two to get a pass and do something useful with it. Like pass it back to you.

Or just teach them to forecheck like crazy and dump and chase the shut out of the other team until they're too frustrated to break it.

[chk hrd 164]

They are slow but do they know where to go and what to do. If so use it to your advantage, more than likely you will always be the first one deep or ahead of them. Get the puck deep and work it out from there. Make sure everyone is clear on where the 3rd man should be going and looking for soft spots. I am in the opposite situation, since the guys I play with are young enough to be my kid (one is) I am usually behind them coming in. If the puck is in a corner and 2 guys are on it I'll come in and stay middle slot or go to the net. If it starts working out I look for weak side soft spots. If it gets plugged up I move behind the goal line for support or an outlet. Talk with your linemates and come up with some basic line plan. If I have the puck going into the O zone and get pressure I like to throw the puck hard around or a cross ice dump. As long as my faster player knows that I will do this they can come in wide and with speed which usually bbeats the D man in beer league.

[hunt3rsean 44]

I play in two different leagues where I can potentially be the fastest skater on a line. Not always, but sometimes. This means that on the offensive rush I'm usually the first one in the zone. Sometimes, depending on their position when the transition happened, it can be by a few seconds. If I notice this happening I'll change what I do once I enter the zone. Instead of taking the puck right to the net hoping for a rebound I'll continue around the net (if a good shot doesn't present itself). This gives them time to enter the zone and get in a good shooting/support position. And if worst comes to worst I can usually cycle the puck up to my d-man if a pass in or across the slot doesn't open up. If I'm having a hard time judging where my line mates are going to be I'll sit on the bench and talk about positions. I ask them where they are planning on being (as usually it's comfortable for them to be there) and then I'll fill the open space when we are on the ice. Sometimes this works best because they know their best scoring areas usually.

The main thing I pay attention to is just filling the spots they leave open in the offensive zone. If I know where they are going then I can adjust my game accordingly without having to really slow anything down. And sometimes, this creates more chances because it's a little off speed for the defense. They'll either bite to the slower players who "seem" open or they'll crash on me leaving the slower line mates open.

Also, taking control of your line doesn't automatically make you the a-hole. You just need to do it in a constructive way. If they are lower level players than there is definitely room for learning. Provide them with positioning instruction in a teacher/student manner and they are more likely to pay attention. It also makes them feel that you're trying to help them (which you are) and they'll put it into practice. Hopefully. At least I did when I was the 'slow' guy.

[Shayzam 0]

Understanding that its frustrating, I try to use it as teaching opportunities. Make sure they know to be in the right position at the right time. The more teams focus on defending you, the more time it will give the other two to get a pass and do something useful with it. Like pass it back to you.

Or just teach them to forecheck like crazy and dump and chase the shut out of the other team until they're too frustrated to break it.

Its time to be a leader. Your likely put where you were so you could help the guys out assume, not saying that everyone will play a good all around game, but sometimes people can be good at a very exact role. I know I play with a guy who's skill is sub-par in every skill possible, he however is very reliable for give and goes through the neutral zone and will take almost any advice you give him. It's rewarding for both your own game and your linemates. I also when put with worst players will focus on my game personally and less flash stats and more defensive stats like +- if i can keep the line about equal i feel as if my job is done. Just stick with it and if in a while you still dislike where your at suggest a line combination to the captain involving you and some other guys.

[Chadd 916]

Everyone wants to play with guys that are as good as they are, if not better than them. Playing with those guys make you look good when you give them a less than perfect pass or they feed it through a maze of players to put it on your stick. Now, you have to think about the guys you are playing with and you have to play to their strengths, whatever they may be. Passes may have to be a bit softer, you may need to skate at a slower speed or you may have to feed it through to the net for them to tip or cash in on rebounds. Moving back to defense isn't going to change their skills and you're still going to be on the ice with them, you might as well try adapting your game to your linemates before throwing in the towel already.

You say that your team lost 12-4, what were the problems that led to that score and what changes would you make to fix them?

[TheSkatingDead 0]

Thank you all fo the input - it's greatly appreicated and very helpful!

[TheSkatingDead 0]

You say that your team lost 12-4, what were the problems that led to that score and what changes would you make to fix them?

1) Lack of offense my line was able to generate...

2) Lack of switching the lines to try something different...

3) Lack of defense all around...

4) Players not knowing how to play their position or how to cover their man...

5) Our goalie can't stop a beach ball...

I would love to try and step up with my comments and suggestions, but I'm not the caption. I just started playing with a new group of guys and I'm not comfortable voicing my opinion as of yet, so I'm just going to go with the flow... I don't want to be known as "that guy"...

I'm going to give it a few more games, try to work with my lines mates and if things don't work out, I'll just fall back on D. We could use the extra help on the back end anyways...

[flyguy1 1]

Even though you are new on the team and not the captain, there is a way to voice your opinion without being 'that guy'.

If you are more experienced than some or most of the team, give your linemates and/or teammates direction on where they should be positioned and who they should he covering. They might not get it the 1st time, but keep at it and they will adjust.

[Husker 0]

Keep your suggestions to a one on one basis with your line. Tell them where you'll be and a lot of time when it works out they will have it in their heads to be in that position again.

Besides skill and know how hockey comes down to confidence a lot of times. Make a few good plays and they will respond. When i'm paired with the slower guys I like to run give and gos. It capitalizes on my speed and skill, gets them involved in the play and frees up tons of room. It also locks them where they are suppose to be, they don't chase the puck because they know that outlet is coming to them a lot of the time.