Mario Lemieux Attacks the Open Triangle

Thanks to YouTube and a Facebook friend, the following video shows a great example of attacking one of the defender's open triangles.

Especially helpful in this video is the fact that so many views are provided, as well as some nice slow-motion replay. In other words, it gives us the chance to really study the way Lemieux beat the backward skating defenseman.

-- Dennis Chighisola

Mario Lemieux Attacks the Open Triangle

Given the chance to watch that a number of times, I noticed that Lemieux does something we ought to study again... I mean, I am forever suggesting that the set-up of a move is as important as the move itself. In this case, notice the huge fake Lemieux makes towards his left, dangling the puck far out that way, and making the defender believe he really is heading to the left. Yes, only with that exaggerated deke is a slip of the puck through the defenseman's legs going to work. Also, if young players are watching this, I'd to point-out that Lemieux makes a beautiful pass to himself, angling the puck so that it arrives just where he needs to pick it up a split-second later. Aaaah, man, I love the opportunities we have today to study and study some of hockey's all-time greats.