ELynah Forum

General Category => Hockey => Topic started by: min on February 21, 2007, 02:11:13 PM

Title: Research paper on ice hockey strategy (for the mathematically inclined...)
Post by: min on February 21, 2007, 02:11:13 PM
Attached is a hockey-related research paper -written by a Harvard professor- using game data from the 2004-2005 Harvard squad.
The author's findings are not entirely earth-shattering, but are interesting and show future promise nonetheless. Some of the study's main results:

- When in trouble, dump the puck or retreat? Dumping the puck is the superior strategy.
- When in offense, dump and chase or carry-in? Neither strategy is preferable  in terms of scoring advantage.
- When in defensive possession, clear the puck or press on (i.e. maintain possession)? Neither strategy is superior, but "clearing" is better defensively while "pressing" is better offensively.
Title: Re: Research paper on ice hockey strategy (for the mathematically inclined...)
Post by: ugarte on February 21, 2007, 02:15:18 PM
[quote min]Attached is a hockey-related research paper -written by a Harvard professor- using game data from the 2004-2005 Harvard squad.[/quote]
"I conclude that this team sucks and really should quit playing in the Beanpot."
Title: Re: Research paper on ice hockey strategy (for the mathematically inclined...)
Post by: KeithK on February 21, 2007, 05:44:46 PM
I haven't reeasd the paper yet, but it seems like none of these conclusions are very surprising.  They are all the answers I'd come up with after a little bit of thought.  Of course, there is some value in confirming what we think we already know (assuming that it's not too obvious).
Title: Re: Research paper on ice hockey strategy (for the mathematically inclined...)
Post by: fink on February 21, 2007, 09:31:15 PM
Quote"Due to its ease of access and a high quality of play, I use a set of 18 games involving the Harvard Men's Varsity Hockey team during the 2004-2005 season."

Obviously, Suck's Harvarding wouldn't be difficult to obtain tickets for, but I can only assume he meant to say "opponent's comparatively high quality of play."
Title: Re: Research paper on ice hockey strategy (for the mathematically inclined...)
Post by: Robb on February 21, 2007, 10:24:09 PM
[quote KeithK]Of course, there is some value in confirming what we think we already know (assuming that it's not too obvious).[/quote]

When did you switch to being a psychologist instead of an engineer?  :-}
Title: Re: Research paper on ice hockey strategy (for the mathematically inclined...)
Post by: KeithK on February 22, 2007, 01:25:47 PM
[quote Robb][quote KeithK]Of course, there is some value in confirming what we think we already know (assuming that it's not too obvious).[/quote]

When did you switch to being a psychologist instead of an engineer?  :-}[/quote]OK, let me rephrase.  There is value in having hard data to support a hypothesis.