MONT-TREMBLANT | Martin St-Louis had maintained that his group would take advantage of this trip to the Laurentians to attack numerical superiority. It won’t have happened. At least, not on the ice.
“We had discussions [à ce sujet]. We only had two training sessions here. Today, I think it was good to push and get in shape, said the Canadian head coach. After yesterday’s team dinner [jeudi]it was important to bring that out a little. When you just go on a massive attack, you don’t check the most important box.”
Ben Pelosse / GoM
This important box is getting back into shape. There is no doubt about that. The Canadian players sweated profusely. The intensity level of the exercises was relatively high. We were even treated to a few lengths of ice rink.
However, the massive Montreal attack has produced nothing since the start of the preparatory calendar. And it’s not a figure of speech. No goals in 25 occasions. On this subject, Mike Matheson invited everyone to breathe through their noses.
“We only played two games [le groupe de vétérans]! And we hadn’t played since April. We will continue to work on this, but it’s a little early to say that it’s not clicking.”
On the first unit, apart from the return of Kirby Dach, the numbers are the same as last year: Matheson, Cole Caufield, Jusraj Slafkovksy and Nick Suzuki. Why is cohesion so complicated to find?
“Because we’re trying to do something completely different this year. The readings are different, Matheson replied. And we haven’t been together for a few months, so the synchronicity isn’t quite right. We’ll have to practice it and have rehearsals.”
Defense first
Okay, but the season opener is scheduled for Wednesday. With a preparatory match of which we do not know the composition of the training, Saturday, and a day off, Sunday, that does not leave much preparation time.
“It’s something we’re definitely going to do on Monday and Tuesday, both on the ice and on video. This is where we are,” explained St-Louis.
The latter recalled that according to the plan that he and his deputies had established, there were priority files to be resolved before looking into the patterns of the massive attack.
“I tried to build our defensive game. We took more time on the numerical penalty, the defensive zone, how we play without the puck. Not just in our zone, but on the forecheck as well. The offensive side came at the end. And the numerical advantage is part of it.
Besides, St-Louis is satisfied with where its team is currently. He praised his team’s even-strength play and their numerical inferiority.
“We attacked things chronologically, starting with the most important. It shows because we only gave up two goals at five against five in five games. So, that’s encouraging.”
During this time, the Canadian scored 13.
