Minor Hockey Talks - Hockey Forum

The OHL Roundup sparks some interesting discussion points. Guelph squeaking by Kingston in a shootout raises the question of shootout effectiveness in developing young players. Is it a valuable skill to practice or does it detract from other areas of the game? The Flint Firebirds shutout win with only 16 shots against begs the question, is a low shot count indicative of a strong defensive game or a weak offensive opponent?

Windsor's late game-winner against London, despite being heavily outshot, highlights the importance of opportunistic scoring. Can a team consistently win by capitalizing on limited chances or is it a recipe for eventual failure? The high-scoring Erie victory against Saginaw brings up player development strategies. Is it better to focus on a balanced attack or build around key offensive players?

The multiple shootout wins this week also prompt a larger discussion. Is it time the OHL considers eliminating shootouts altogether? What alternative methods could be used to decide tie games and better prepare players for the next level? Bold prediction: a team with a strong power play and penalty kill will ultimately have greater success than a high-scoring team with defensive vulnerabilities. Let the debate begin.