Fenwick

Definition

Fenwick is an advanced hockey statistic that measures shot attempt differential, specifically focusing on even-strength situations while excluding blocked shots. It helps assess a team's offensive and defensive performance by calculating the number of unblocked shot attempts taken versus those allowed, giving a clearer picture of possession and scoring chances than traditional metrics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fenwick is particularly useful for evaluating teams that rely heavily on shot blocking, as it provides insight into the actual scoring chances created and allowed.
2. The Fenwick statistic can be divided into Fenwick For (FF), which counts unblocked shot attempts for a team, and Fenwick Against (FA), which counts unblocked shot attempts against them.
3. Fenwick can help predict future performance by analyzing trends over time, making it valuable for coaches and analysts looking to improve team strategies.
4. Unlike Corsi, Fenwick specifically eliminates blocked shots, allowing for a more focused analysis on scoring opportunities rather than defensive actions.
5. Many analysts consider Fenwick to be more representative of a team's true performance in games since it better highlights possession and quality chances.

Review Questions

• How does Fenwick differ from Corsi in its measurement of hockey statistics?
  • Fenwick differs from Corsi primarily in that it excludes blocked shots from its calculations. While Corsi considers all shot attempts—goals, misses, and blocks—Fenwick focuses solely on unblocked shot attempts during even-strength play. This distinction allows Fenwick to provide a clearer insight into the offensive capabilities of a team by concentrating on actual scoring chances rather than defensive efforts.
• Evaluate the importance of using Fenwick as part of a comprehensive analysis of a hockey team's performance.
  • Using Fenwick as part of a comprehensive analysis is crucial because it highlights possession metrics that can indicate how well a team generates scoring opportunities compared to their opponents. By analyzing both Fenwick For and Fenwick Against, analysts can discern patterns in team play and identify areas for improvement. This focus on unblocked shot attempts helps coaches strategize effectively and potentially adjust lineups or tactics to enhance offensive output.
• Discuss the implications of relying solely on traditional statistics compared to incorporating advanced metrics like Fenwick in evaluating team performance in hockey.
  • Relying solely on traditional statistics such as goals scored or shots on goal can paint an incomplete picture of a hockey team's performance. Advanced metrics like Fenwick offer deeper insights into game dynamics by focusing on unblocked shot attempts, which are directly tied to scoring opportunities. This approach allows analysts to better understand underlying trends, such as puck possession and scoring chance quality, which are often overlooked in traditional stats. Ultimately, incorporating Fenwick enhances evaluation accuracy, enabling teams to make informed strategic decisions.

Related terms

Corsi:

Corsi is a broader advanced hockey statistic that includes all shot attempts (goals, misses, and blocked shots) to evaluate a team's overall puck possession and effectiveness.

PDO:

PDO is an advanced stat that combines a team's shooting percentage and save percentage to assess whether a team is 'getting lucky' or performing above or below expected levels.

Expected Goals (xG): Expected Goals is a metric that quantifies the quality of scoring chances by calculating the likelihood of a goal being scored based on various factors such as shot location, type, and player positioning.