Written Option 2

As a defenseman in the SHL, this is something I deal with every single game. When I am matching up against opposing forwards and figuring out how to best plan to defense them, I have to come to terms with the fact that many of these forwards have some advantage on me. The most common ones are speed and dangling ability. When a forward is faster than I am, I have to give a little more room to allow myself to make a play on the puck. When a dangler is entering the zone, I have to remind myself not to fall for the dekes and stay locked in to position in order to defend. Every once in a while, I will deal with a power forward who has a few inches and/or pounds on me. In those moments, I have to prepare to defend with my stick rather than go for a body check, because if I do try to check that player I will get bulldozed and they will have an open lane to the net.