how exactly does a team "skate" better?

i'm trying to get into the sport and tonight they were talking about how carolina wasnt skating well and one of the keys to the game was skating

but it seems to me that either you're skating or your not, and if youre playing hockey then obviously your skating

i mean when you watch football they dont say, well nc state is losing to akron because nc state just isnt running fast enough

anyone wanna explain how this works?

11/17/2007 12:18:07 AM

maybe they just looked sloppy and were lacking intensity


I played ice hockey for 10 years and never really stopped to think about that statement

11/17/2007 12:27:54 AM

I would assume a general lack of intensity, not getting to loose pucks as fast as the other team, not getting back on D, or up to forecheck quick enough.


[Edited on November 17, 2007 at 12:42 AM. Reason : hfdsj]

11/17/2007 12:40:36 AM

Hustle, energy, agility, etc. Football and basketball most definitely refer to the quality of team's movement. Its most obvious in basketball: getting back on D, how quickly you push the ball down the court, how quickly you move your feet on D to maintain position and get around screens, etc. In football, the only real areas it comes up is pursuit speed/tenacity on D, route running, and special teams coverage. Some times teams will struggle skating on a different ice surface (temps, humidity, and recent events in the arena all have dramatic effects). This can simply mean slower skating or sloppy skating (losing edges, tripping, balance).

11/17/2007 12:56:11 AM

Those are both good answers. As much as anything, it's a feeling that's not neccessarily explained by any one factor...it could be getting outhustled, it could be wingers not getting their heels on the boards...you just get outskated and everyone can see and feel it.

11/17/2007 12:57:13 AM

You'll hear them talk about this in regards to Carolina a lot, because the Canes play kind of a run and gun style and to beat people they have to be skating faster and transitioning faster and keeping the puck moving.

11/17/2007 10:49:09 AM

ah, thanks for the answers guys

11/17/2007 2:36:57 PM

This was a good question and a good answer.

11/17/2007 2:46:53 PM