Weak-Side Strength & More Dan Bylsma Priorities For Firebirds Defense

The Coachella Valley Firebirds, who haven't played since Sunday's series-clincher over the Ontario Reign, might have a few more days to wait.

Coachella's opponent in the AHL Western Conference Finals could be a rematch with the Milwaukee Admirals, if they can close out their series with the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday. If not, a winner-moves-on Game 5 would be necessary Sunday.

We used the layoff yesterday to examine Firebirds coach Dan Bylsma's defensive personnel. Now, let's take a look at just a couple of his defensive philosophies.

Why? Like some of his players, Bylsma conceivably could start next season in Seattle  as the Kraken's new coach.

Plays Of The Weak-Side

The "weak side" generally refers to the far or near half of the ice in the offensive zone where the puck isn't .

This becomes especially important when the opponent has an extra skater, during a power play or after pulling their goalie.

"A lot of goals come from the back side of the net," Bylsma explained. "You have to be really disciplined with your netfront 'D'. They have an extra guy; you're going to want to maul the guy in front of the net. But protection of the back side of the net is critical. That's the guy who usually scores the goal.

"It doesn't feel great when you give a team time and space. It's a balance of putting pressure on a team when they're in the offensive zone 6-on-5, and sitting back, just being five guys tight around the house."

Strategy Involves Clock Management

Two of the three Coachella victories against Ontario were one-goal decisions. Though preferable to be ahead rather than behind, the Firebirds were twice forced to resist a Reign team pressing hard for an equalizer.

"It's happened to us now a couple of times in the playoffs," said the coach. "Not just for 30 seconds, not just for 45 seconds. At the end, it's for four minutes or five minutes. Each line has to go out there and kill it off."

With the opposing goalie having vacated his cage in favor of an extra attacker, you can almost hear the siren song of that far-away empty net. Bylsma says the closer the clock ticks down to the final horn, the more his players need to resist that temptation.

"Put it in the back of the net, it ends the game. If you have a good look, and it's over the time frame (coaches have set), yes, then take it. Generally speaking, there's a time frame on the clock when, if it's under that time, you don't want to shoot for the empty net."

In other words, make the safe play in the dying seconds, such as tying the puck up in the corner.