PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF ELITE ICE HOCKEY

Abstract

The professionalism of ice hockey within the United Kingdom is ever increasing. With the recent focus on invasion games (Carling et al., 2005; Reilly, 2007), the aim of this study was to address the lack of research within ice hockey. A list of performance indicators was compiled from research within other invasion games as well as personal knowledge from experts within the game. Games from the 2011/2012 Elite League season were analysed (n=10) through lapse time coding using Sportscode software (8.3.0). The matches were analysed in regards to winning and losing with a simultaneous investigation into the impact of a change in game state. Only three performance indicators were found to be significantly different when comparing winning and losing teams; Neutral zone possession to dump (p>0.001), neutral zone possession to dump % (p>0.001) and neutral zone possession dump and regain (p>0.05). The change in game state also had a significant difference on the amount of possession (p>0.001), the time spent in possession (p>0.001), the amount of possession within the offensive zone (p>0.001) and the time spent in possession in the offensive zone (p>0.001). The significant difference and practical difference was questioned (Atkinson, 2003). The findings of the study suggest that winning teams execute the skills involved more clinically than losing teams. The study concludes by suggesting a model of successful performance and identifying areas for future research.