Tanner Richard is the Bulli King of the World Cup

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Tanner Richard currently leads the tournament in terms of percentage of faceoffs won. The napkin player wins 73.91 percent of his faceoffs, the closest fighter wins 65.79 percent. Of the 23 face-offs he played, he won 17.

What’s his secret? “The observation. In Switzerland I know the habits of almost everyone,” he says. “I study my opponents.” At the international level, this work is more difficult when dealing with people he does not know. pay attention to detail. The position of the feet. The position of the hands. How he moves and where the puck comes out.” Of course nothing is left to chance.

The best in the National League

In Switzerland he has long been known and feared as the face-off king. “I see my opponents in the National League trying to upset me a bit,” says the 30-year-old. With moderate success, because he was the best player in the play-offs with a success rate of 56.14 percent.

His father Mike was also a specialist in this field. Does he have that ability of his? “Not really. When I played in North America, I specialized in this area. I knew I could gain playing time that way, whether it was on the power play or outnumbered.”

In Riga, Patrick Fischer also used this weapon in special situations. In a 3-on-5 against Norway, he was sent onto the ice in two solid defensive zone performances. The result? Two pucks, which he won without batting an eyelid, and precious seconds that passed before the Nati survived the penalty kicks without consequences.

Will the arrival of Hischier change the situation?

The man, who has not been in the national team since 2017, plays a less offensive role in Latvia than in Geneva. But not necessarily a less prominent one. “When you see the other players in my position, Enzo Corvi, Denis Malgin or Gaëtan Haas, it shows the quality of our team,” he says.

Now there is also an NHL top center with Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils). Will Richard have to give way to Wallis? A look at the statistics may prevent national coach Patrick Fischer from missing him.

Source : Blick