Analyzing reasons behind the goals in ice-hockey

Abstract

Much of the conventional wisdom in ice hockey suggests that moving the puck forward, towards the opponent's goal, is the best strategy for producing goals. Past research has lent credence to this wisdom. Studies have consistently shown that scoring chances in hockey are produced from turnovers and short possessions of less than 10 seconds. In this research-oriented thesis analyzing methods are what has happened before scoring a goal and find out the “true” reasons behind the goals scored in SM-League. Many coaches in Finland over preach a brand of hockey that puck control is smarter gameplan than constant forward motion. History shows that teams exchange the puck back and forth until someone commits a fatal error and a goal is scored. Previous studies have given only a partial picture of the nature of scoring. They have implied that the production of a chance is dependent only on the possession immediately prior to that chance. This reseach is using all the different game situations involved in a game for finding the reason behind the goals. Goals scored in rushes are broken down in six categories, Goals scored in turnovers are broken down in three categories, Goals scored on offensive zone play are broken down in six categories, Power play goals are broken down in seven categories and Special situation goals are broken down in three categories