System
2-1-2 forecheck with hard strong-side pressure. Weak-side D activates aggressively off the wall. Quick-up transition game — they want to play north as fast as possible.
Key Players
#8 Volkov (top-line C, wins O-zone draws, dangerous in the slot) • #23 Lindqvist (skilled RW, one-timer PP threat) • #5 Marchetti (top-pair D, physical, pinches hard) • #10 Rossi (agitator LW, draws penalties)
Power Play
1-3-1 with Volkov as bumper, Lindqvist flank one-timer, Marchetti QB up top. Take away the seam pass to the bumper — pressure Marchetti's hands, deny the walk-out.
Penalty Kill
Aggressive diamond, F1 pressures the puck above the tops of the circles. Beat them with quick d-to-d puck movement and get pucks to net with traffic — they overcommit up ice.
Goalie
#33 Petrov — 6'4", plays deep in his crease, strong glove, average blocker. Weak on lateral plays and cross-crease. Shoot low blocker side, look for backdoor tips.
Tendencies
Fast starts, tend to fade in the 3rd if trailing. Chase the game and take undisciplined stick penalties. Poor D-zone coverage on cycle plays — they lose their man low.
Keys to the Game
1) Win the neutral zone — chip pucks behind their pinching D and use our speed. 2) Cycle low and drag their D out of position. 3) Stay disciplined — don't bite on Rossi. 4) Get pucks to the net, hunt second chances on Petrov.