Before the playoffs start on Wednesday, we thought we pass along what Cup winner and Pens announcer Bob Errey believes are the most important points for playoff success. As per his TV analysis, Bob doesn't break much ground here or give a unique view into the mind of a player as he prepares for the playoffs, yet it's a nice parable to pass along to all the youngsters:
Bob Errey was captain of the San Jose Sharks as the team prepared for the 94 playoffs. A couple of nights before the playoff series with the #1 seeded Red Wings began, Bob was laying in bed and couldn't sleep. Bob had won a Stanley Cup while in Pittsburgh and was thinking about what it takes to succeed in the playoffs. After awhile he decided to jot down what he was thinking which he shared with the coaches and all the players. While many of these seem obvious, it's the mental part of hockey that ultimately takes you to the top of the mountain. Make no mistake, you have to have skill, but that alone will not win you a championship in hockey. Here are the 16 Points for Playoff Success.
- It takes 16 WINS to win the Stanley Cup
- 4 Wins per series
- Never dwell on the past (good, bad, win, lose)
- Never take anything for granted
- One shift is as important as 20
- Rest
- Confidence
- Momentum
- Throw statistics out the window
- Luck
- Play bigger
- Never retaliate
- Get pucks out, get pucks in
- Never out of a game (ie. high sticking major = 5 minute PP)
- Have fun
- Heart is more important than skill
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