Page:Hockey, Canada's Royal Winter Game.djvu/85

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with the end of the ice, makes them amenable to attack from whatever place in which the puck may be, whereas, nowadays, the danger is not immediate when the puck is behind the poles.

II.—THE POINT.

Mr. "Mike" Grant, the best known player in Canada, captain for years of the erstwhile invincible Victorias, in speaking on general defence work, says:—

"The defence of a successful team must necessarily be as proportionately strong as the forward line. Although their territory, their sphere of action, is more limited than that of their forwards, the defence men have work to do, that is, in its effect, as important as the rushes of the latter.

"The goal-keeper should consider that he is enclosed in a magic circle, and should scarcely ever leave his position, but if he does he should return to it as soon as possible. He should not depend upon his defence to stop the puck. The point and cover-point should play as if they were one man in two positions. The position of the point should be determined by that of the cover-point. If the cover-point is on one side, the point should be on the other to such an extent only, though, that each may have an equally good view of the play, and