Feature Story

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Pond hockey at the X

By Jack Blatherwick

Let’s Play Hockey Columnist

Have you ever tried to knock a gnat out of the air with a sledge hammer? That thought crossed my mind as the Neanderthal sitting behind me yelled, “Hit that son of a (gun).” (Edited slightly, so we can maintain our PG rating).

After several not-so-cheap beers, this guy thought hitting was the antidote for Pavel Datsyuk, the Detroit Red Wings’ gnat-sized centerman who dances with the puck through the neutral zone, taunting someone to hit. He moves his stick as quickly as his feet, while head and shoulders bob to each side, so you don’t have a clue when he’ll shoot, pass, or leave you pokechecking at thin air. Even his eyes deceive, because they’re focused on something he is NOT about to do. How do you defend against that — let alone hit it?

Datsyuk and his teammates had just come inside from the pond — the NHL showcase game at Wrigley Field — and they were playing like the rink-rats they had been as kids. They looked refreshed, and every cool move from their pond hockey days was recalled from storage, waiting for the perfect moment.

Puck control is one of those critical elements for success on the pond — especially if there are no boards to stop an errant pass or shot. So, when a rink rat is reminded of that day, 10 years ago when he played keep away outside, he is less inclined to relinquish control of the puck to his NHL opponent. When things get sticky at the offensive blue line, and defenders are closing in quickly, most of us will dump it in deep. Not the Red Wing Rink Rats. They manufacture some spontaneous magic — perhaps three or four quick, deceptive passes — left, right, forward, backward — and all of a sudden they’re playing tic-tac-toe in the crease.

The Wild — for the second game in a row — played magnificently against the best in the league, gaining a point in each game for their effort and discipline. But the game ended on a shootout goal from the pond hockey memory bank of Datsyuk — an incredible sleight-of-hand, top shelf miracle. Technically the game wasn’t over; it was only Detroit’s first try, but it left 18,000 fans and both teams kind of numb.

It looked like the Wild players were going to applaud, or maybe crack a joke, as Datsyuk skated by after his wizardry. Coaches and players seemed to be hypnotized — like witnessing one of those spectacular highlights on the outside pond that had never been seen before. Of course, it only counted as one goal, but it seemed to handcuff the remaining shooters.

Henrik Zetterberg — up next for Detroit — tried to copy the exact same move, just to see if it was as easy as Datsyuk had made it appear. It wasn’t.

But the success of the defending Stanley Cup Champions isn’t measured by highlight moves. None of them cracked the starting lineup for the 2009 All-Star Game. Not even defenseman, Nicklas Lidstrom the Norris Trophy winner six of the last seven years. Fans may not have voted for him, because he keeps the game simple and doesn’t make big hits or take penalties. Nor will you find their forwards atop the NHL scoring stats.

The Red Wings aren’t about individuals. Instead, they are the league’s model of synergy — the whole being much, much greater than the sum of the parts.

Good things develop over the course of a season when anyone wearing the Wings’ sweater knows that when a teammate has the puck, “I better get open and put my stick on the ice, because the puck will come.”

When a team passes this unselfishly, deceptively, and accurately no one can be a spectator. It automatically teaches the most important fundamental of team offense — movement without the puck.

Other NHL teams have as many stars. The Red Wings have synergy.

They are small. They don’t hit or start scuffles in the crease after the whistle. Nor do they bother with trash talk. The Wings just hustle for each loose puck and don’t give it back until they’ve had their fun with it.

That’s why they win — now and in the playoffs. The formula is simple and has two rules: play keep away from the opponents, and use your team-mates to make yourself effective.

The best news for the game of hockey is that the Red Wings are a snapshot of the future. Skill, deception, and creativity are replacing the game of the 90’s — hooking, slashing, interference, and, yes … hitting. Oh, there will always be some great highlight hits and the occasional fight, but size will matter less each year. Total reliance on hustle, systems, and physical play is no longer good enough to defend against the NHL’ers of the future.

Kids the size of Kane will rule the world of hockey with skill and creativity, so you better put on your stocking cap and boots and head on down to the pond. Rink rats are in.

For a short video trailer from the movie “Pond Hockey,” visit http://www.pondhockeymovie.com/trailer.html?gclid=COXa39ep-JcCFRlRagodkEOCDA

Jack Blatherwick, Ph.D., is a physiologist for the Washington Capitals.

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