After this morning's game deep in Jersey Devil country, my son's coach suggested we come and watch the NJ Devils Youth Hockey Under-16 AAA team (His son happens to be the goalie, and he's a spectator, not a coach during their games). They're undefeated this season, they're nationally ranked as a top U16 team, and, well, they're pretty passionate about their hockey. A 1-0 lead in the first stretched to a 6-0 lead at the second intermission, including power plays that lasted all of 13 and 6 seconds. Two guys were always on the puck, supporting each other. We sat with my son's coach, and he offered a great comment: Good offense creates time and space. Good defense takes away time and space. It was the best hockey I've seen in over a year.
Whatever practice plan the NHL Devils had in place on Saturday didn't work. Maybe they should come watch a dozen 16 year olds who play this game with unequalled abandon. Misery only loves company if you give it time and space. Passion squeezes it out.