Just five years ago, nearly every NHL team had adopted some form of “the trap,” a 1-2-2 forechecking system, to better compete in the NHL. The idea was to shut down opposing offenses by clogging up the neutral zone. This effectively minimized, if not nullified, the opponent's ability to light up the lamp.
For the most part, the system worked. In fact, the 1994-95 and 2002-03 New Jersey Devils, 1998-99 Dallas Stars and 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings all turned the trap into Stanley Cups.
NHL Fans often felt cheated when exposed to the trap (a.k.a 'the left wing lock'). They were forced to watch hockey typically void of scoring, creativity, speed and flow. In the end, NHL hockey became a complete bore, causing some NHL fans to stay away en masse.
To thwart NHL GM’s premium on sy ...
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Article written by Mark Ritter
Is the NHL in Danger of Becoming Caught in a ôTrapö Again?
Posted: 10th May 2010 by Mark Ritter in NHLComments Off on Is the NHL in Danger of Becoming Caught in a ôTrapö Again?