What is an Overload power play in Hockey?
An Overload power play in hockey aims to overload one side of the ice to create a numerical advantage in a small area. Most Overload power plays will borrow from one other formation or another, but the main focus is keeping players on one side of the ice close to provide guaranteed passing options.
What are the benefits of using an Overload power play in hockey?
This formation presents a lot of options to create scoring chances. An overload power play has the effect of freezing the penalty killers because the puck carrier always has a short pass to a teammate. The primary puck handler operates on what’s called the half-wall, the area from the faceoff dot to the boards on either side of the ice. Usually that player is on their off-hand side (a left-handed player on the right side or vice versa) and can efficiently pass to the low forward, the bumper, or back to the defenseman who can shoot or pass to the player on the other side of the zone.
What are the disadvantages of using an Overload power play in hockey?
The drawback of the overload power play is that one player will be too low in the zone to generate their own dangerous scoring chance. While some players can surprise penalty killers and goalies by shooting from a tough angle below the goal line, this is a low percentage play. Penalty killers facing an overload power play are content to defend in front of the net as long as all the power play players are confined to a small space.
What are the forward responsibilities for an Overload power play in hockey?
The primary forward responsibility is controlling the half-wall. That forward starts each play and leads the way for the power play group. One low forward will present a kick-out option near the net and is responsible for making quick passes and retrieving wayward shot attempts or blocked shots. Another forward assumes the bumper role in the middle of the ice to screen the goalie and tip shots from the point, also known as the middle of the blue line, while the last forward tries to get lost in coverage on the opposite or far side of the ice.
What are the defenseman responsibilities for an Overload power play in hockey?
The defenseman positioned on the point on an overload power play is responsible for transporting the puck across the blue and resetting the power play after each missed chance, which is done by passing the puck back to the half-wall player. The defenseman also shoots from the point and sets up the weak-side forward for a one-timer.
Which coaches use an Overload power play in hockey well?
Coaches who use the Overload power play to its maximum advantage have usually had the same collection of players for a relatively long period of time. The Overload requires a firm understanding of each player’s strengths and weaknesses. Once that comfort and trust is developed, a coach can build deception and creativity within the structure of the Overload power play.
What skills or strengths does a team or player need to run an Overload power play in hockey?
The primary need of an Overload power play is creative players who are deceptive passers. If the Overload scheme becomes too obvious to the penalty killers, it will be easy to break up plays by intercepting passes.
Which teams are the best examples that use an Overload power play in hockey?
Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin is a long-time staple taking one-timers on the left faceoff dot while longtime running mate Niklas Backstrom mans the half-wall
Vancouver Canucks: Left-handed Elias Petterson has a rocket for a one-timer from the right faceoff dot while JT Miller plays the half-wall on the strong side of the ice (the overload side)
Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki works the half-wall on the right (overload) side while the skilled Cole Caufield uses deception and a powerful shot from the left faceoff dot
