Scoring in the Finnish ice hockey Liiga during the 2023-2024 regular season

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the types of situations in which goals are scored at the highest level of ice hockey. The study focused on the Stanley Cup Final games (n=12). Methods: Two different game analysis methods based on systematic observation were used. The observation was conducted using video recordings after the games. The data consisted of (n=) 1477 shots, (n=) 79 goals, and (n=) 3619 even-strength attacks. Results: Teams had (n=) 181 even-strength attacks per game. The overall attack efficiency was 7%. For scoring goals, defensive play in the offensive zone was particularly important, as the scoring efficiency of attacks starting in the offensive zone was statistically highly significant compared to the defensive and the neutral zones (p<0.001). Goal-scoring situations were classified based on the number of players on the ice and the different zones of the rink. Most goals were scored during 5 vs. 5 play (71%), with the remaining goals coming from 5 vs. 4 power plays (9%) or other situations (20%). The majority of goals were scored from close to the net. Scoring efficiency was statistically significant in sector 1 (p<0.05) compared to sector 2, and highly significant (p<0.001) compared to sectors 3–4. Conclusion: Scoring becomes easier when: 1) The attack starts in the offensive zone, and 2) the shot is taken close to the net. If the attack starts further away, fast and counter-attacks improve scoring chances, as the opponent does not have time to organize their defense. Keywords: ice hockey, goal scoring, tactics, game analysis, attack, NHL

The purpose of this study was to present the tactics to improve the scoring in offensive zone during the ice hockey games for ice hockey coaches and players. Even though the recent ice hockey games have developed rapidly in terms of speed and skills, it is true that we can’t win the games if we don’t score in the games. In the ice hockey games, in order to play effectively to improve the scoring in the offensive zone, first, all players must accurately understand and play the attack mindset, wall play, offensive zone grind, and shoulder check. Second, every players must be in the correct position in the offensive zone. When the F1 is in possession of the puck in all offensive zone areas, and then F2 goes in to support. Therefore 2 forwards in the corner, and F3 in the top of the circles, D1 and D2 in the blue line, That is the 2-1-2 attack tactics in the offensive zone. If players perform this tactic correctly in the offensive zone, we can play effectively both offensively and defensively. Third, in the attack zone, we can increase our scores by using various attack options such as Spread Zone, F Rolls High(Push), Switch, Cycling, F2 Release & Switch Side, and Bad Angle Shot. If ice hockey coaches put a little effort and study on these things, various effective and positive results can be found. The ice hockey coaches should always study for the players and them.

A Comparison of Spectators Induced Grandstand Vibrations and Fans Behavior during Two Ice Hockey Games between the Same Teams in the Regular Season and in the Playoffs

The aim of the present study was to identify and differentiate the factors that determine the possession times of successful and unsuccessful elite football teams, with the purpose of identifying a more effective possession model. For this, match corresponding to the round of eighth-finals, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the 2016 UEFA Euro France in which 2,636 offensive sequences occurred, were analyzed. Video recordings of matches were analyzed and coded post-event using systematic observation. The performance indicators recorded and analyzed were: phase; match period; type of start-up; interaction context; intention; field zone; possession time, passes, attack outcome; match status and final outcome. An ANOVA was performed to analyze data in order to study the influence of a set of variables. A Box–Cox transformation was applied on the variable explained to achieve normal conditions. A study of the main effects and significant interactions was also carried out, complemented with a set of predictions with the variables that were more significant. It is hypothesized that possession analysis from a mixed methods perspective will identify a more effective offensive playstyle. Results show how, in successful teams, possession time is influenced by: Type of start-up, intention and field zone. On the other hand, in unsuccessful teams, possession time is determined fundamentally by intention and match status. In terms of the results of the predictive models, in the case of successful teams, they will have longer possessions in the offensive zone with the score in favor and, in the defensive zone with a draw score, in both situations, initiated with the intention of progressing by means of a transition. For unsuccessful teams, possessions will be of longer duration in the defensive zone with a draw score, regardless of the type of start-up and, in the offensive zone, losing and initiating the play by means of a set ball action and winning by means of a transition. Results obtained in this work identify key factors that determine possession time in teams and allow to differentiate the possessions of successful and unsuccessful teams, identifying a more effective ball possession model. This information can be used to design a possession model with greater probabilities of success and increase the offensive performance of teams.

Objectives:The National Football League, among the most popular team sports in the United States, carries an injury incidence that is higher than that of other collision sports, such as rugby and ice hockey. Considerable research has been undertaken to investigate the etiology of injuries in the NFL and has identified numerous risk factors on the level of individual games, including playing surface and gameday weather conditions; additionally, one study has found that concussion risk is not affected by scheduling variation, such as overseas games and bye week timing. However, there is currently no data that reports the effects of scheduling variation over the course of a season on musculoskeletal injury incidence. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the relationship between scheduling factors and injury rates among professional athletes in the NFL. It was hypothesized that higher cumulative travel distance, playing overseas games, an early season bye week, and an expansion of the regular season would be associated with higher injury rates.Methods:The current study was a descriptive epidemiological study that retrospectively reviewed all injuries that occurred in the five NFL seasons from the 2017-2018 season through the 2021-2022 season. Injury data and travel distances were extracted from publicly available sources and injury reports were cross-referenced to verify injury data. Injury rates were calculated per 1,000 athletic exposures (AEs).Results:In 1,216 regular season games in the five NFL seasons, 4,378 injuries were reported for an average injury rate per year of 34.42 injuries per 1,000 AEs. Cumulative team travel distance did not significantly predict injury rates (Figure 1). There was not a statistically significant difference in injury rates between NFL teams that did (19.3 per 1,000 AEs) versus did not play a game overseas (19.3 per 1,000 AEs) (Figure 2). There was not a statistically significant difference in injury rates or the number of players on the injured reserve list between the various bye weeks. There was not a statically significant difference in injury rates between the new 17-game regular season (18.4 per 1,000 AEs) versus the previous four 16-game regular seasons (19.7 per 1,000 AEs) (Figure 3). However, NFL teams that did not qualify for the playoffs had a significantly higher injury rate (19.9 per 1,000 AEs) versus teams that did qualify for the playoffs (18.4 per 1,000 AEs). Also, NFL teams that did not qualify for the playoffs had a significantly higher number of players on the injured reserve list (8.0 per 1,000 AEs) versus teams that qualified for the playoffs (6.8 per 1,000 AEs) (Figure 4).Conclusions:Over five NFL seasons, increased cumulative travel distance, playing a game overseas, and having an early season bye week were not associated with increased injury rates in professional football players. The addition of one regular season game, from 16 to 17 during the 2020 season, was not associated with an increased injury rate. However, not qualifying for post-season play was associated with an increased injury rate and an increase in the number of players on injured reserve. Overall, the analysis suggests that the analyzed parameters in the current NFL schedule were not risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries over the last five seasons; however, lack of regular season success may be associated with higher injury rates and more players on injured reserve.

The aim of the present study was to identify basketball game performance indicators which best discriminate winners and losers in regular season and playoffs. The sample used was composed by 323 games of ACB Spanish Basketball League from the regular season (n=306) and from the playoffs (n=17). A previous cluster analysis allowed splitting the sample in balanced (equal or below 12 points), unbalanced (between 13 and 28 points) and very unbalanced games (above 28 points). A discriminant analysis was used to identify the performance indicators either in regular season and playoff games. In regular season games, the winning teams dominated in assists, defensive rebounds, successful 2 and 3-point field-goals. However, in playoff games the winning teams’ superiority was only in defensive rebounding. In practical applications, these results may help the coaches to accurately design training programs to reflect the importance of having different offensive set plays and also have specific conditioning programs to prepare for defensive rebounding.

The authors investigated return-to-play duration for initial and recurrent concussion in the same season in 2 teams of junior (16-21-year-old) ice hockey players during a regular season. The authors conducted a prospective cohort study during 1 junior regular season (2009-2010) of 67 male fourth-tier ice hockey players (mean age 18.2 ± 1.2 years [SD], range 16-21 years) from 2 teams. Prior to the start of the season, every player underwent baseline assessments that were determined using the Sideline Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2) and the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT). The study protocol also required players who entered the study during the season to complete a baseline SCAT2 and ImPACT. If the protocol was not followed, the postinjury test results of a player without true baseline test results were compared with previously established age- and sex-matched group normative levels. Each game was directly observed by a physician and at least 1 neutral nonphysician observer. Players suspected of suffering a concussion were evaluated by the physician during the game. If a concussion was diagnosed, the player underwent clinical evaluation at the physician's office within 24 hours. The return-to-play decision was based on clinical evaluation guided by the Zurich return-to-play protocol (contained in the consensus statement of international expert opinion at the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2008). This clinical evaluation and return-to-play protocol was augmented by the 2 tests (SCAT2 and ImPACT) also recommended by the Zurich consensus statement, for which baseline values had been obtained. Seventeen players sustained a physician-observed or self-reported, physician-diagnosed concussion during a physician-observed ice hockey game. The mean clinical return-to-play duration (in 15 cases) was 12.8 ± 7.02 days (median 10 days, range 7-29 days); the mean number of physician office visits by players who suffered a concussion (15 cases) was 2.1 ± 1.29 (median 1.5 visits). Five of the 17 players who sustained a concussion also suffered a recurrent or second concussion. One of the 5 individuals who suffered a repeat concussion sustained his initial concussion in a regular season game that was not observed by a physician, and as a result this single case was not included in the total of 21 concussions. This initial concussion of the player was identified during baseline testing 2 days after the injury and was subsequently medically diagnosed and treated. The mean interval between the first and second concussions in these 5 players was 78.6 ± 39.8 days (median 82 days), and the mean time between the return-to-play date of the first and second concussions was 61.8 ± 39.7 days (median 60 days). The mean rates of return to play for single and recurrent concussions were higher than rates cited in recent studies involving sport concussions. The time interval between the first and second concussions was also greater than previously cited. This difference may be the result of the methodology of direct independent physician observation, diagnosis, and adherence to the Zurich return-to-play protocol.

The purpose of this study is to improve Korean ice hockey tactics and improve athletic performance on the international stage. During the ice hockey games, positioning ice-hockey should be played, in which each player accurately grasps the position of each player on the ice and perfectly performs their tactical role to maximize team tactics. In order to win the games, if we strongly press the opposing players from our offensive zone using forechecks appropriate to the situation and score through a turnover, it will result in positive results as well as the conclusion that we will be able to show competitive performance on the world stage. Therefore, in this study, 1-2-2, 2-1-2, and 2-3 forechecks were presented to win the ice-hockey games.

In this paper, we propose a user scenario and user interface for analyzing of ice hockey game to coaching staff. The difference from the existing analysis system is that it can show statistical analysis data for each a player and an opponent team such as team's average speed, average acceleration and each player's moving trajectory. For this purpose, we define visual data representing spatial, temporal, distribution, comparison and relation, and develop a user scenario and a user interface for ice hockey player and game analysis. We hope that this analysis system will be able to be used as a system for the analysis of group sporting games in addition to ice hockey game.

The objective of this study was to measure the incidence of concussion (scaled relative to number of athlete exposures) and recurrent concussion within 2 teams of fourth-tier junior ice hockey players (16-21 years old) during 1 regular season. A prospective cohort study called the Hockey Concussion Education Project was conducted during 1 junior ice hockey regular season (2009-2010) involving 67 male fourth-tier ice hockey players (mean age 18.2 ± 1.2 years, range 16-21 years) from 2 teams. Prior to the start of the season, every player underwent baseline assessments using the Sideline Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2) and the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT). The study protocol also required players who entered the study during the season to complete baseline SCAT2 and ImPACT testing. If the protocol was not followed, the postinjury test results of a player without true baseline test results would be compared against previously established age and gender group normative levels. Each regular season game was observed by a qualified physician and at least 1 other neutral nonphysician observer. Players who suffered a suspected concussion were evaluated at the game. If a concussion diagnosis was made, the player was subsequently examined in the physician's office for a full clinical evaluation and the SCAT2 and ImPACT were repeated. Based on these evaluations, players were counseled on the decision of when to return to play. Athlete exposure was defined as 1 game played by 1 athlete. Twenty-one concussions occurred during the 52 physician-observed games (incidence 21.5 concussions per 1000 athlete exposures). Five players experienced repeat concussions. No concussions were reported during practice sessions. A concussion was diagnosed by the physician in 19 (36.5%) of the 52 observed games. One of the 5 individuals who suffered a repeat concussion sustained his initial concussion in a regular season game that was not observed by a physician, and as a result this single case was not included in the total of 21 total concussions. This initial concussion of the player was identified during baseline testing 2 days after the injury and was subsequently medically diagnosed and treated. The incidence of game-related concussions (per 100 [corrected] athlete exposures) in these fourth-tier junior [corrected] ice hockey players was 7 [corrected] times higher than [corrected] previously reported in the literature. This difference may be the result of the use of standardized direct physician observation, diagnosis, and subsequent treatment. The results of this study demonstrate the need for follow-up studies involving larger and more diverse sample groups to reflect generalizability of the findings. These follow-up studies should involve other contact sports (for example football and rugby) and also include the full spectrum of gender, age, and skill levels.

The aim of the present study was to identify and describe players’ performances in NBA games using individual and team-based game variables. The sample was composed by 535 balanced games (score differences below or equal to eight points) from the regular season (n=502) and the playoffs (n=33). A total of 472 players were analysed. The individual-based variables were: minutes on court, effective field-goal percentage, free-throws/field-goals ratio, offensive rebound percentage, turnover percentage and playing position. The team-based variables were: team points minus opponent’s points (on and off court), NET score (player’s on values minus his/her off values), maximum negative and positive point difference, team’s winning percentage, game pace, defensive and offensive ratings. A two-step cluster analysis was performed to identify the player’s profiles during regular season and playoff games. The results identified five performance profiles during regular season games and four performance profiles during playoff games. The profiles identified were mainly characterized by the game quarter and the negative NET indicator (players’ performance on court minus their performance off court) in regular season games and the positive NET indicator during playoff games and second and third game-quarters. Coaching staffs can fine-tune these profiles to develop more team-specific models and, conversely, use the results to monitor and rebuild team formation under the constrained dynamics of the game and competition stages.

The primary objective of this study was to measure the incidence of concussion according to a relative number of athlete exposures among 25 male and 20 female varsity ice hockey players. The secondary objective was to present neuropsychological test results between preseason and postseason play and at 72 hours, 2 weeks, and 2 months after concussion. Every player underwent baseline assessments using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-2 (SCAT2), Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT), and MRI. Each regular season and postseason game was observed by 2 independent observers (a physician and a nonphysician observer). Players with a diagnosed concussion were removed from the game, examined in the team physician's office using the SCAT2 and ImPACT, and sent to undergo MRI. Eleven concussions occurred during the 55 physician-observed games (20%). The incidence of concussion, expressed as number of concussions per 1000 athlete exposures, was 10.70 for men and women combined in regular season play, 11.76 for men and women combined across both the regular season and playoff season, 7.50 for men and 14.93 for women in regular season play, and 8.47 for men across both the regular season and playoff season. One male player experienced repeat concussions. No concussions were reported during practice sessions, and 1 concussion was observed and diagnosed in an exhibition game. Neuropsychological testing suggested no statistically significant preseason/postseason differences between athletes who sustained a physician-diagnosed concussion and athletes who did not sustain a physician-diagnosed concussion on either the ImPACT or SCAT2. The athletes who sustained a physician-diagnosed concussion demonstrated few reliable changes postinjury. Although the incidence of game-related concussions per 1000 athlete exposures in this study was half the highest rate reported in the authors' previous research, it was 3 times higher than the incidence reported by other authors within the literature concerning men's collegiate ice hockey and 5 times higher than the highest rate previously reported for woman's collegiate ice hockey. Interestingly, the present results suggest a substantively higher incidence of concussion among women (14.93) than men (7.50). The reproducible and significantly higher incidence of concussion among both men and woman ice hockey players, when compared with nonphysician-observed games, suggests a significant underestimation of sports concussion in the scientific literature.

Sarmento, H, Figueiredo, A, Lago-Peñas, C, Milanovic, Z, Barbosa, A, Tadeu, P, and Bradley, PS. Influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite football matches. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2331-2339, 2018-This study examined the influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite football matches. A sample of 68 games and 1,694 offensive sequences from the Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Champions League were analyzed using χ and logistic regression analyses. Results revealed that counterattacks (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.83; p < 0.01) and fast attacks (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11-1.85; p < 0.01) increased the success of an offensive sequence by 40% compared with positional attacks. The chance of an offensive sequence ending effectively in games from the Spanish, Italian, and English Leagues were higher than that in the Champions League. Offensive sequences that started in the preoffensive or offensive zones were more successful than those started in the defensive zones. An increase of 1 second in the offensive sequence duration and an extra pass resulted in a decrease of 2% (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.98-0.99; p < 0.001) and 7% (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.91-0.96; p < 0.001), respectively, in the probability of its success. These findings could assist coaches in designing specific training situations that improve the effectiveness of the offensive process.

Eliminate head-checking in ice hockey.

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, cause, and nature of maxillofacial and dental injuries in ice hockey games and training and also evaluate the use and the effect of dental or facial guards. Maxillofacial and dental ice hockey injuries in Finland were studied during years 1991 and 1992. Material was gathered from the insurance company that had practically all the ice hockey licenses in those years. The material consisted of 479 injured ice hockey players who suffered from 650 separate injuries. The most common dental injury was a noncomplicated crown fracture, which accounted for 43.5% of all maxillofacial or dental injuries. Of these noncomplicated crown fractures, almost 70% occurred in the games. The most common cause of accidents was a blow from the ice hockey stick. The stick as a cause of injury was approximately 3 times as common in the games than in training. Only 10% of injured players wore some kind of protective guard. A mandatory use of mouthguards and face masks or tightened rules for protection to decrease the high number of maxillofacial and dental injuries in the ice hockey games should be considered.