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     Here's where the idea of the TRIANGLE is important.  This means that the three forwards are usually located in the attacking zone in three widely spaced locations, with two of them in or near the slot, one close to the net and one higher in the slot.  Here's how to set it up as you cross the blue line.

     Think of the forwards as #1, #2, and #3, not as center, right wing, and left wing.  Naturally, #1 is the player who crosses the blue line with the puck.  His job is simple: shoot, pass, or get a better position.  The defense will be on him, so he may have to maneuver away from a good shooting position. 

     The second player across the blue line is #2.  His job is to "crash the net", that is, skate as fast as possible (with luck, around the defense) to a position just outside the crease, and park there, always looking for a pass or a rebound.

     The third player across the blue line can skate a little less fast.  His job is to skate straight down the slot about half the distance to the net, also waiting for a pass.  See Figure 10.

     Assuming the defense has succeeded in forcing our puck-carrier off to the side, we now have the triangle, two in the slot and one to the side.  Our puck-carrier has two good targets for a pass who are in good scoring position.  Player #2 has the best chance to score, especially if he has skated in at full speed.  This is our best chance to gain an advantage on the attack, because in this league defenders almost always stay with the puck-carrier.  Therefore player #2 will usually be able to get open in front of the net if he skates fast enough.

     As our defensemen cross the blue line they become two more targets for passes.  Use them. 

     Once you've made your pass, crash the net immediately.  You won't score from the corner!  Remember, you are skating hard to do something with the puck, or you are skating hard to get to your next position.  If you passed back to your defenseman your next position is in front of the net, preferably before the defenseman's shot gets there.  If you didn't pass to the point, you still want to get to the net.  Then you screen the goalie, go for a tip-in, or get a rebound.  If you relax after you get rid of the puck and watch the rest of your team keep on playing, you're not doing your job.  Your job doesn't end when you get rid of the puck.

     The other triangle position has #1 in the corner, #2 in front of the net, and #3 near the edge of the face-off circle nearest the slot.  See Figure 11.  Of course, it works just as well reversed for the other corner and the other side of the rink.  Players may switch the roles of #1, #2, and #3 as the play goes on, but try to keep the spacing and the positioning.  We have too often had two, or even three, players on the same boards or in the same corner.