The Ottawa Senators were not short on talent when the year started. However they were short on understanding themselves and the theory of game play. It became quite evident that after four and a half years of the previous coaching staff that this group was unteachable. From the outside looking in the type of coaching that was right for them was not in place. There was no acceptance of responsibility. There was little to no support from a very loyal fan base who is just tired of all the losing and the bullshit answer that they just needed to work harder. The plan for improvement was non existent.
Hockey is a game of incomplete information. It is a game of decision making under stressful conditions. Information is hidden in the game and that is where coaching experience comes into play. Ottawa’s Coach Jacques Martin has 35+ years of experience. Coach Martin could make the best possible decision during the game and still lose. Sometimes luck plays a role because hockey is a variable game. A bounce or a tipped shot can change the outcome. This is where Coaching experience comes in. Good coaches know how to evaluate their decisions and communicate the message of the decision to the players.
Ottawa will miss the playoffs because of five years of bad decision making. Decision making is a framework that uses player interaction and tactics to help get the best possible outcome. It is the science of strategy.
Last night Coach Martin sat Thomas Chabot and Josh Norris for the last five minutes of game even though they had a two goal lead. What lead to his decision IMO was the lack of commitment to play defence on both players part. Tough decision as both are core players, as mentioned earlier they had to accept responsibility for their poor play.
Until next time.
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Opinions are my own.
Between The Ears 