Keys to success for Integrity Amherstburg Admirals

By Christian Bouchard

Play a full 60 minutes

The Admirals coaching staff and players have been notorious for their consistent message of playing a full 60 minutes all year long. When Amherstburg gets a lead, it will be vital for them to try to build on it rather than sit back and play defensive hockey. After all, when the puck is in the attacking zone, it becomes a lot tougher to concede a goal.

Stay out of the sin bin

In order to succeed against a passive Essex 73’s team, it will be important for the Admirals to stay out of the penalty box. Playing from behind, or even with the lead, it becomes a more difficult task to win hockey games down a man. Not only have the Admirals been averaging 6.66 penalties per game for 17.83 minutes but the penalties have also come at crucial moments throughout games. In a 60 minute game, averaging nearly an entire period down a man is not something that will add to their chances of winning a championship.

Muzzatti, Alexander and Meloche line

The 15-16-17 line has been off to a scorching start in the playoffs. In fact the line has scored 18 goals and 44 points in the playoffs, averaging 3.66 points per game. Not only has this been one of the best scoring lines for the Admirals but they also play smart hockey. Against a team like Essex, it has been proven the dump-and-chase method doesn’t work as goalie Trevor Wheaton cuts off the puck behind his net which sets up an Essex breakout. However, this line tends to carry the puck into the zone and produces points on a consistent basis.