Cup finals -- A coach speaks out

By Josie Lemieux Sports Central Columnist

The Stanley Cup Final between Tampa Bay and Calgary is more than captivating. Considering the high talent on each team, nobody knows who will win. However, a talented hockey coach, an unknown expert, gave his personal point of view on the current Finals.

Stephen is a hockey coach with an advanced grade. In Quebec, it means that he could coach a team from the Junior-Major League anytime. Stephen is also a living hockey encyclopedia. He knows everything hockey has to reveal. He knows all NHL rules by heart, identifies all coaching strategies from any amateur or pro team, and keeps himself constantly aware of new developments in the sport.

When Stephen talks, even those who hate hockey tend to listen. What he says is true, real, and confirmed. His passion for hockey is sincere and unquestionable.

After two games, it is 1-1. First, what are the strengths of the Tampa Bay Lightning?

They are a full-strength team all the time. Just think about the great hands you have on this team: Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards ... It is often seen that a powerful and fast-skating team brings a lot of creativity in attacking situations.

What do you think made the Flames reach the Stanley Cup Finals?

It is a very courageous team, who gives all they have every night. Their goalie is more than effective, regardless of the losses. They always apply a good two-men forechecking. In other words, if they don't have the puck in the offensive zone, a Flames player checks the opponent while another one picks up the puck. The Flames have fewer major stars, but a lot of teams would pay to have such guts on the ice.

How do coaches John Tortorella (Tampa Bay) and Darryl Sutter (Calgary) react during such important games? Do they shout and scream all the time?

Indeed, it is a lot mote intense during the Finals. A coach must be realistic, however. The most important attitude to have is to react to nothing, regardless of what is going on. If your team scores, keep it quiet. Other players will congratulate the scorer. If you see the opponent team score, don't show how furious you are. Easier said than done. As a coach, I can testify that the heartbeat often goes dangerously faster!

As regards to shouting, coaches don't lose their minds if their team played well. There is nothing to be said in that situation. You can lose and have played tremendously. However, if the players did not give their maximum, most coaches will serve a hard and tough speech in the locker room to wake up the players. It's better not to hear or see those events.

Who is the Flames' key player?

Mikka Kiprusoff.

Who is the Lightning's key player?

Nikolai Khabibulin. In the Stanley Cup Finals, what's in front of the net is more than essential, it is vital.

Why is a goalie very good one night and falls the other night, especially against the same team?

There is no explanation. It's the performance average. Some people are surprised to see a goaltender fail one night. I am not surprised. Generally speaking, it's not a concentration problem. Goalies live in a bubble. But despite all your efforts and your bubble, you don't control the entire game. It is simply impossible to be a great goaltender day after day, during the regular season or during playoffs. Even Patrick Roy wasn't able to do that.

What must be the Flames' strategy to win the Cup?

Watch Vinny Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis ... I could list the whole team! Flames must play defensively; I mean a very good defensive play. And not give into frustration. Look what the Toronto Maple Leafs do when they are frustrated. They put Tie Domi on the ice and gloves are dropped. I don't approve of that. You can collect penalties and worse, injuries. Finals are not the time to be injured.

What must be the Lighting's strategy to win the Cup?

Skate, skate, skate, and forget about Jarome Iginla. If the Lightning controls the puck, Iginla cannot do anything. Ice advantage means nothing to the Flames. They play extremely well on the road. The only time when the ice advantage counts is during a seventh game.

Who will win the Cup?

The Tampa Bay Lightning. They have a lot more talent, and a lot of will and guts, same as the Flames. Talent is not the only thing to have on your team, look how the Avalanche got away from the playoffs. Tampa Bay's real ennemy is the Lightning. You must play and hit hard, too.

Playoffs, even more Finals, mean lots of pain and ice bags being distributed after a game. If you don't feel any pain after a game, you have a problem. If they follow the plan, skate out of their minds and hit the net as often as they can, the Lightning will definitely win it.

We will see, in a couple of days, if this qualified and passionate coach was right. Passion for hockey cannot be measured in salaries or work conditions. It is measured by what you communicate when you talk about it or play in a packed arena.

These days, the Lightning and the Flames are definitely showing what hockey passion is all about.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.