Throughout the season, the Blackhawks have published "Mic'd Up" video shorts of players wearing microphones during practices and games so fans can get an inner look at what's said on and off the ice.
The most recent video was of defenseman Riley Stillman. Here are a few parts worth highlighting:
* Highlight #1: Stillman yells, "Switch!" and moments later barks out, "Switch, switch!" to rotate spots twice with Nicolas Beaudin as they defend down low by the net.
* Highlight #2: Stillman says, "I got him, I got him!" presumably to Patrick Kane as he pursues the puck carrier from behind the net and up the right wall.
* Highlight #3: Stillman tells Beaudin, "Hey, hey, Beauds...just wheel it yourself" as they get set up for a defensive zone faceoff.
At the most basic level, one can see how crucial on-ice communication is amongst players. Nothing unique to what the Hawks players are doing that players of all other NHL teams do as far as talking to each other.
However, what's peculiar about these highlights is whether the Hawks can execute those outwardly stated orders in a consistent and expeditious manner. But isn't communication itself enough?
Consistency is key because even one defensive lapse due to lack of awareness and communication can result in a goal, especially by the top teams in the league that make opponents pay dearly for errors.
Expedition is key because the NHL is the fastest league in the fastest team sport on the planet. A player hearing a shouted order needs to recognize and execute quickly or else, again, pay for the mistake.
Therein lies the rub: can the Hawks be consistent and expeditious with executing orders that they give to each other in the midst of battle? Defensive breakdowns could be a byproduct of related deficiencies.
It should be noted, though, that it's tough to attribute all defensive miscues to poor communication. There are other reasons for failing to defend effectively, of course, but communication is still critical.
Communication is also important in transition and on offense, too. The inability to communicate can result in unfavorable consequences such as reduced options, botched plays, and one-and-done rushes.
So while strategy, skill, and strength are pivotal to execution and communication is the factor tying them together, the consistency and expedition of that communication is what can make or break every play.
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Rockford Updates
Final Score: Rockford 1, Iowa 6
Starting Lineup
Game Summary
Mitchell Fossier potted the IceHogs only goal of the game scoring from the slot after a backhand feed from Michal Teply. The heads-up move by Teply was a nice display of his increasing confidence to make plays and drive to the net.
The half dozen goals that the Wild racked up illustrated the defensive weaknesses not just in Rockford but also in Chicago: failing to gain inside positioning and letting the opponent set up rent free in the crease to create screens.
Despite the score, the Hogs showed immense push back in a chippy affair to fight back figuratively and literally. The always fiery Andrei Altybarmakian and persistently agitating Evan Barratt each had fights resulting from their styles.
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