Examining a Desperate Save Moment
When watching the hockey highlights late at night it is often goaltenders desperate saves that make the highlights, if any saves at all. Desperate saves are what make the fans “ooh and ahhh” but that does not mean goaltenders should be happy to make those desperate saves. Sure, goaltenders do not want the puck to hit the opening in that 4x6 frame and they will do anything to stop the puck from doing so. However goaltenders, parents and coaches must understand what reasons and situations were in effect that put the goaltender in a position to make a desperate save.
There are usually a number of scenarios that can occur to induce a desperate/instinctive save attempt. The following are six possible reasons why the goaltender had to become desperate.
1. Goaltender is not on angle (Please read Finding the FSP Article)
The goaltender must accomplish three things, at the same time, to truly be on angle.
Be on Centre of the Net The most important aspect a goaltender needs to begin to play a simple, more effective game. The goalie that plays a “centre of the net” approach will face less shots
Be Square to the Puck. Gloves, knees, and toes, are all facing the puck when the shot is taken.
Find Proper Depth for the Situation. The closer to the puck the less space the puck will see, how the goaltender moves off the goal line to take away any available space from the puck.
A well-positioned goaltender will create more missed shots. The less the puck sees the more accurate the shot must be. The more a goalie can find middle of the net and stay square to the puck.
2. A poorly controlled rebound
Poor rebound control is generally the number one cause for making a desperation stop. An example may be a poorly controlled rebound on a two-on-one that goes directly onto the stick of the open attacker. Often the rebound will move too quickly to be able to come across efficiently and smoothly.
3. A deflection has occurred
Deflections can also be a cause for needing an instinctive response. Deflections that go from low blocker side to high glove may elicit a wild glove save that is not the essence of compact. Another scenario is generated off of a point shot where, because of a screen, the goalie has not seen the puck thus producing an awkward rebound. Again, a point shot can produce a deflection, this time to an open attacker, while the goalie has been locked into a down position due to traffic in front of the net.
4. The goaltender has committed too early
A three-on-one has occurred and the goalie has made a butterfly slide to the low attacker on the right, who has just received a pass, who has just made a pass back to the high attacker. Once that pass back has occurred there could be trouble followed by an instinctive save attempt. What about the scenario where a goalie has used a two-pad stack only to have the attacker hold onto the puck longer than expected? A missed poke check, or falling for the fake shot on a breakaway can also spell trouble.
5. The goaltender or a teammate has misplayed the puck
What happens if the goalie races into the corner to play the puck and accidentally make a pass to an open attacker? The defenseman is trying to breakout but serves up a gorgeous pass for a streaking attacker? What if the puck is rimmed high on the glass, hits a partition, and bounces to an opposing forward? The answer to any of these situations may be desperate.
6. The goaltender has been interfered with
The goaltender is trying to see the puck and an attacker slough foots the goalie causing them to be off balance or possibly fall over. It is late in the game and a sixth attacker is pushing their rear right into the goaltender’s face; again the goalie may lose balance. Although the first instinct may be to hack, slash, and throw a hissy fit, the practiced reaction will become an attitude that no matter what the opposition does the puck will not enter the goal.
Now that we have clearly established the six reasons why a desperate/instinctive response is needed we must now examine what an attacker will do when they have the goaltender in a vulnerable position.
Forwards will shoot for the “Meat of the Net”
When a forward sees a yawning cage in front of them they get nervous and anxious. Since forwards are already anxious they are not interested in missing the net, especially under pressure. The first place the forward will try to hit is the “meat of the net”. The “meat of the net” is approximately one foot off the ice, one foot below the cross bar, and one foot inside each post. “Meat of the net” is basically the easiest and most sure place to score a goal. Covering the “meat of the net” is a good place to start a desperation save.
Forwards are lazy
How many times have we seen a forward, who has almost the entire net to shoot at, just try to slide the puck into the open net only to get robbed by a stick on the ice? When forwards see a gaping cage they want to put the puck in the quickest and easiest way possible, which is usually by sliding it into the net. It is because forwards are lazy that the goalie will cover low first.
Attackers are not always aware of the time available
Another instinct for attacking players is to get rid of the puck ASAP. If an opposing player has an open net to shoot at they will often shoot the puck instinctively even if they have the time to place their shot. It is the rare few players who are patient enough to take the time they have earned and turn a situation into an easy goal. Although the patient goal scorers are few and far between goaltenders must be aware that these players are stoppable as well, it just takes a little bit of strategy.
The opposition does not always know how to look for available space
Many times a forward is unaware of how the shooter’s illusion works or know how to identify when a goalie is off angle. If the goalie can identify openings in their own position then they should be able to quickly cover the hole that was unintentionally made available to the shooter.
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