Mike Stewart, Head Coach of the Wolfsburg Grizzlys in Germany’s DEL, opened his presentation at TCS Live 2025 with a personal story. Years ago, after losing a playoff series to his long-time mentor Rob Daum, Stewart called him to ask how he’d been out-coached. Daum’s answer was simple: “We were excellent at executing 2-on-1s.” Stewart, who has had a long career in the Deutsch Elite League, including stints with Kölner Haie, Augsburger Panther, and with Team Canada in the Deutschland Cup, had his perspective reshaped in that moment and he’s been studying the art of creating numerical advantages ever since.

The 2-on-1 Mindset

Stewart emphasized that 2-on-1s aren’t just the traditional rush situations coaches recognize on zone entries. Instead, they’re about creating consistent micro advantages. Small windows of numerical superiority across every area of the ice, both offensively and defensively.

Defensively, Stewart teaches three key rules when facing a classic 2-on-1:

1. Take the pass away.
2. Defenders should angle to the front post, not the back.
3. Use the “point of no return” - committing the body to eliminate the passing option, often through sliding.

But as his career progressed, Stewart began seeing 2-on-1s in a broader context. In today’s 5-on-5 game, the ability to recognize and create micro advantages can dictate the flow of play.

Recognizing Micro Advantages

For Stewart, the key lies in language and framework. Coaches need to give players the tools to identify when they can generate these short-lived advantages. Triggers include:

• Isolating the puck carrier to freeze a defender and open a lane.
• Being the third player into a battle, whether your team is there first or second, the third player is crucial in creating a defensive 2-on-1 out of a retrieval.
• First touch off the wall — winning possession quickly to gain leverage against multiple defenders.
• Driving the defender’s heels on entries, forcing isolation and opening passing options.

“Skill matters,” Stewart stressed, “but it’s in reading and reacting that these advantages occur.”

Breaking Down Structures

Micro 2-on-1s are game-breakers. They can collapse defensive structures in the defensive zone, neutral zone, or offensive zone. From faceoffs to breakouts to regroups, every situation presents an opportunity. Stewart highlighted the importance of winning inside ice and creating quality chances rather than settling for perimeter shots.

Preparation plays a huge role too. Through pre-scouting, teams can anticipate how and where opponents give up these small advantages and allow players to capitalize instinctively in the moment.

Coach's Challenge

Stewart’s challenge to coaches was clear:

Don’t just teach the textbook 2-on-1. Teach your players to recognize and create micro advantages all over the ice. With the right framework and language, players will begin seeing the game in layers of opportunity — and those small advantages add up to game-changing results.

Noteworthy timestamps:

• 0:00 The 2-on-1 perspective
• 1:30 Classic 2-on-1
• 4:25 Changing of the lens
• 5:30 Surfing/3rd and 5th on puck
• 8:50 DZ faceoff loss
• 10:15 DZ escape
• 11:15 Breakout:  DZ 5th on puck to 2-on-1
• 12:10 Offensive micro 2-on-1s
• 13:00 First touch
• 14:50 Low OZ 
• 16:10 Tactical adjustments - vs box +1
• 17:50 Rush