Left wing lock
Encyclopedia
The left wing lock is a defensive ice hockey
strategy similar to the neutral zone trap
.
In the most basic form, once puck possession changes, the left wing moves back in line with the defencemen
. Each defender (including the left winger) plays a zone defence and is responsible for a third of the ice each. Since there are normally only two defencemen, this tactic helps to avoid odd man rushes.
With the reinforced defensive line, the centre
and right wing forecheck aggressively. Often the forecheckers will try to drive the puck over to the opponent's right wing.
Under coach Scotty Bowman
, the Detroit Red Wings
began using "the lock" heavily during the 1994-95 NHL season
, earning the President's Trophy for the league's best record during the regular season. The following season, Detroit was even more dominant, breaking the NHL record for most points in a season. However, the system broke down during the playoffs each year, especially as they were frustrated by the neutral-zone trap strategy employed by Jacques Lemaire
's New Jersey Devils
in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals
. It was not until 1997 that Detroit broke through and finally matched their regular-season success with a Stanley Cup
championship.
Although the 'lock' was made famous by the Red Wings and has been used to great success in their Stanley Cup
runs in the past decade, they are not credited with inventing it. The lock was invented in Czechoslovakia
to work against the dominant Soviet teams of the 1970s. Former assistant coach under Scotty Bowman, Barry Smith, was credited with seeing the Left Wing Lock in Europe and bringing it back to the Red Wings. (http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/barry-smith/)
The simplicity of the lock has made it popular at all levels of hockey and it is not uncommon to see it implemented in youth hockey.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
strategy similar to the neutral zone trap
Neutral zone trap
The neutral zone trap is a defensive strategy used in ice hockey to prevent an opposing team from proceeding through the neutral zone to force turnovers...
.
In the most basic form, once puck possession changes, the left wing moves back in line with the defencemen
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
. Each defender (including the left winger) plays a zone defence and is responsible for a third of the ice each. Since there are normally only two defencemen, this tactic helps to avoid odd man rushes.
With the reinforced defensive line, the centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
and right wing forecheck aggressively. Often the forecheckers will try to drive the puck over to the opponent's right wing.
Under coach Scotty Bowman
Scotty Bowman
William Scott "Scotty" Bowman is a retired National Hockey League head coach. He holds the record for most wins in league history, with 1,244 wins in the regular season and 223 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He coached the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
, the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
began using "the lock" heavily during the 1994-95 NHL season
1994-95 NHL season
The 1994–95 NHL season was the 78th regular season of the National Hockey League. The teams played a shortened season, due to a lockout of the players by the owners. In addition, the NHL All-Star Game, which had been scheduled to take place January 20–21, 1995 in San Jose, CA, was canceled...
, earning the President's Trophy for the league's best record during the regular season. The following season, Detroit was even more dominant, breaking the NHL record for most points in a season. However, the system broke down during the playoffs each year, especially as they were frustrated by the neutral-zone trap strategy employed by Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
's New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals
1995 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1995 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings. This was the first of nine consecutive finals with American franchises exclusively. New Jersey was making the franchise's first-ever appearance in the Final, while Detroit returned...
. It was not until 1997 that Detroit broke through and finally matched their regular-season success with a Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship.
Although the 'lock' was made famous by the Red Wings and has been used to great success in their Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
runs in the past decade, they are not credited with inventing it. The lock was invented in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
to work against the dominant Soviet teams of the 1970s. Former assistant coach under Scotty Bowman, Barry Smith, was credited with seeing the Left Wing Lock in Europe and bringing it back to the Red Wings. (http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/barry-smith/)
The simplicity of the lock has made it popular at all levels of hockey and it is not uncommon to see it implemented in youth hockey.