Lubanski's Suggested Guidelines For When A Stick Breaks During Game-Play

By Paul Lubanski


Plain and simple, it rarely ever makes sense to try and play without a stick... most ESPECIALLY so when you are at even strength.

If you are a defenseman and the play is locked-in down low in your end, immediately grab for a forward's stick and play on (regardless of whether length, lie or even "shot" is correct--just make due)! The forward should then retreat to the bench and secure a stick of his/her own. In the interim, it is incumbent upon the coach and the players on the surface to be fully aware of the situation and adjust their positioning accordingly.

And, of course--have a stick ready and someone reaching out as far as humanly possible with it over-the-boards to make the transition as brief as it could possible be..


If a forward loses a stick at even strength (doesn't matter where the puck may be situated) the issue isn't even debatable. Proceed to the bench and get a replacement. Again, your teammates and coach must make certain that the players on the ice adjust/re-align as quickly as possible.

While one-player down on the PK (five-on-four), the rule for all of my teams is still to get to the bench asap for a fresh piece of lumber (the forward still delivers "d" his/her stick in this scenario). Although there is some modicum of discretion allowed. For example, if the play/puck is below our goal-line and the opposition has full team-control and you have slot responsibility, you can delay heading to the bench. Otherwise, the race is ON !

Why am I so adamant about not "attempting" to play without a stick? That's easy. A lifetime of watching ridiculous efforts by players at all levels (NHL on down) to be productive defensively without one. This rings most especially true as it relates to the manner in which the game is officiated in the year 2011. Another  penalty is perilously imminent in today's game if you even come close to grabbing and opponent with an open-hand or furthermore-- step in his/her way.

In closing, coaches and players, my message today should be quite easy to internalize. Competing a player short or even two-short for a brief snapshot in time is a far more acceptable situation than one in which your team stands a highly likely chance for ANOTHER trip to the sinbin.

Hence, as a player or coach, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to be attuned, focused and prepared to make or call for the necessary/proper adjustments (i.e.--ragging puck along the wall) until your teammate that broke his/her stick re-enters the action.


BONUS TIP

I also tend to get frustrated when a netminder loses his/her stick and one of his/her teammates doesn't immediately go and retrieve it. Yes, the tender may need use of a forward or "d's" stick but should only be temporary-in-nature. Go grab the the twine-minders stick and get it back into his/her hands ASAP. Again, all remaining players must adjust and again-re-align accordingly until all is back to normal.

Best of luck.


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