The Detroit Falcons are going back to the basics in preparation for the playoffs. Thus is especially important because a team can be more than the sum of its parts if everyone sticks to their game plan and does what they are assigned to do, reinforcing the system that the coach has put in place. Against such high powered opponents such as the Quebec City Citadelles, and future second and third round opponents, the team needs to know their fundamental skills and the game plan so that the whole team is in sync with each other. That way, weaknesses are minimized and strengths are maximized with each player contributing their strengths to cover up for other players' weak spots

The players are also reviewing lots of game tape in order to scout and prepare for opposing players. Knowing their little tells and tics might just tip the ice in their favour when they can predict what the opponents are going to do. Hockey IQ is something important and not a stat that can be quantified in numbers, but it can provide results beyond what might be expected.