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RCS · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 07:57 PM

I'm sort of annoyed with myself after last night's adult game. Overall I played decent (not well, but decent - does anyone else feel like they play down to the level of the game? Ugh...), and only let in three goals versus the other goalie's five. We switch sides at the half, so we're mostly playing against each other.

The problem is all three goals were just about exactly the same: five-hole shots. The first two were tip-ins and the last one was a weak backhand, but they all caught me moving across the crease. Here we go:

First goal was a 3 on 0 (did I mention this is low-level adult?) two men in front, one guy down the wing. Man one passes it to man two, who fakes a move and passes to man three, who swats it in. Okay, I know I'm not way out of my rights to say that we're not going to stop a lof of 3 on 0 plays, but I had this one down to the point where I dropped into my sad excuse for a butterful as the puck came across and it popped right in between my legs. Urgh. Should have had it (stick was on the ice too).

Second goal is a similar situation. Only a 2 on 0 this time. Man one takes it hard to the side (I'm up against the post) and flips it out front. I slide across after missing the puck in the air with my stick and the guy just slaps at it. Unfortunately, it's perfect as it pops right in between my legs again.

Goal three is a backhand from the low slot directly in front of the net. I was sort of screened but still should have had it. Again, stick on the ice and it manages to squirt between my legs.

Each of these happend on my way down to the ice...but what are the odds of bad timing three times like that in the same game? I stopped everything else, including some hard shots, breakaways and some nice toe-stretch saves...but the three I let in I consider "weak" goals.

Anyone have any thoughts or tips? I'm just getting back into playing, and I'll be honest in saying I'm nowhere near as flexible as I used to be, but it's getting better. My butterfly isn't all that terrific right now but I'm working on it.

Do I just chalk this up to bad luck, or can someone think of something I'm doing wrong?

Doc Holliday · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 08:17 PM

I know what you're doing wrong, you're letting them score five hole, duh.

Seriously though if you're just getting back into playing it's probably rust. Chalk it up to that or whatever you want but work on making it better.

"Nothing under me or through me" is a good mantra too have and a good skill to work on.

RCS · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 08:30 PM

Honestly, I've made a lot of good saves (and a few great saves) over the last few weeks. I'm finding a lot of goals I'm letting in are the odd-man rushes, which is to be expected, and simply some lazy goals. With the skill level I'm playing with right now...to be honest, most of these guys are beginners. The guys I played with in Canada when I was 14-15 years old were better than these guys. Not that it's not fun, but I have a hard time getting into it when half the shots are whiffs (and those are the HARD ones to stop!).

I'm just going to chalk it up to three bad bounces and move on I think. Still beat the other goalie.

paulsmachetti · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 05:39 AM

When the puck is down low like that try widening your butterfly and playing a little deeper in the crease. Sounds like you're just not getting down and closing the 5 hole fast enough. A wider butterfly will alow you to do this I think.
paul

pck30 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 07:37 AM

When they start going under me is when I put my stick on the back of the net and practice without it for 10 or 15 minutes. When you know that they only way to stop that low shot is to get down in your butterfly quickly and seal it up, you get to the right position in a hurry. Once you find you've got the timing down to stop the low shots with no stick, add the stick back in. It always helps me. I make sure to go without a stick at least 10 minutes a practice, I rarely get beat low anymore.

Gasman · #6 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 09:11 AM

Poke Check!

Target1234 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 09:14 AM

Poke check or paddle down! both are iffy

RCS · #8 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 10:09 AM

I think I may have figured out part of the problem, if not the solution quite yet. It is a multi-part issue, and I'll take some blame myself and put the rest on my pads.

I let one squeak in via the 5-hole last night (it was the second rebound, so third shot, so I don't feel bad about it), but I realized I'm not pulling my knees together when I'm in my butterfly. I did realize after looking down that my 'fly is getting wider, but the pads I have (Itech 8.8s) are not b'fly pads by any means, although I feel like they fit me well (34", no thigh-rise, though I am 6'2" but have a shortish 17.5ATK). I really like them...but now I'm stuck with the dilemma of whether to truly adopt the butterfuly approach (I did me first shuffle while down last night...worked well but it's still very new to me) and start looking at new pads, or keep with my old style (more stand-up) and stick with the current pads.

I think likely I'll just grin and bear it for the time being, as the level of play is pretty low right now, and I don't think it's worth it to drop a few hundred bucks for adult pickup play. Ugh...

WillyGrips13 · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 10:16 AM

Maybe this will help...

http://www.goaliestore.com/board/doc...volvement.html

BTW, 5-hole shots are difficult to stop especially while you're moving.

Target1234 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 10:26 AM

6'2, ya more thigh rise will definitly help if you are going to adopt a fly stlye. I am 6'0 and I wear 35+2's, and it really helps seal the five hole when down. And I am very pro-fly styled in net

scottyboy39 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pck30

When they start going under me is when I put my stick on the back of the net and practice without it for 10 or 15 minutes. When you know that they only way to stop that low shot is to get down in your butterfly quickly and seal it up, you get to the right position in a hurry. Once you find you've got the timing down to stop the low shots with no stick, add the stick back in. It always helps me. I make sure to go without a stick at least 10 minutes a practice, I rarely get beat low anymore.

Same here.Sounds like your not getting the knee drive fast enough.I would def work on what pck said.Plus if its because your going side to side and they are opening you up the only thing I can think of is a butterfly slide.

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