Hockey’s Home Stretch: Embrace the Struggle

Photo courtesy of John Leyba/Denver Post and SB Nation

Another flight home, this time with four points and the first season sweep UBC has had over an opponent in … well I don’t even know if it’s happened before. Certainly not in my time here.

But a tight win Friday and a convincing win Saturday and all of a sudden we’re in the thick of a white knuckle playoff chase once again. The home stretch.

This is what we live for.

Sure, it’s stressful, but none of us got into this business because we’re afraid of a little – alright, a lot of stress. So what causes stress for hockey coaches? Everything from players with bad body language to lack of execution to the pressure that comes with making decisions. Who plays the half wall on your power play? What PK forecheck will work best against a second year defenseman who scored four goals in a single game last weekend? What team is going to show up in a game you absolutely must win, and on paper, absolutely should win?

Questions without answers. The life of a hockey coach. Any coach, really. Any teacher, too.

If we could see the future then we’d all know what play to run on every offensive zone draw.

But where’s the fun in that?

See Also

• The Ten Qualities of a Playoff Difference Maker!
• Five Things to Consider To Be Successful In The Hockey Playoffs!
• PODCAST | The Playoff Push with Kelvin & Aaron

Kelvin Cech

Steady contributor in multiple roles over the years at The Coaches Site, current General Manager and Head Coach of the MJHL Niverville Nighthawks, former Assistant Coach with the UBC Thunderbirds Men's Hockey team.

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