I played this weekend with a group I don't normally play with, and for good reason. They're like lightning. Not as fast as those college guys I found myself facing back in January but faster than the guys I usually play open hockey with. Besides me, there was only one other goalie, but two full benches of skaters, and all of them were flying. I was very low on energy for some reason, so on top of being way below their level, I also wasn't at the top of my game. So I have a feeling I made a fool of myself. But I had to keep reminding myself of the open hockey credo: even a crappy goalie is better than no goalie at all. The other goalie was really good. I was surprised it took as long as it did for them to switch up goalies, so the team that was eating me alive could actually have someone decent to shoot on.
They weren't jerks, and they weren't toying with me, which is all I can ask for in that situation. But I just flat out wasn't quick enough to keep up with them. One guy in particular just scored on me at will. He'd come flying in (not sure what was up with the D... I think they didnt' want to put much effort in because I was stinking the place up- they just let this guy walk in over and over) and fake me out and put it in the net. I resolved to stick with him but each time I ended up biting too soon. Or, he'd come in as part of a 2 on 1 and I'd square up to the puck carrier, and he'd pass it to the other guy and I'd be halfway across the crease and the puck was behind me. So in some cases, I think I was doing the right thing, just not quick enough. There were other cases where I definitely screwed up- dropped my shoulder, dropped my blocker, didn't have my stick in front of the 5 hole while stretching out to go across the crease... etc. But the bottom line is, these guys were just a lot faster than I was, and a lot more talented.
Once I switched sides I played a little better. For whatever reason, the D was tighter on that side, even though their forwards were flying. I honestly had the feeling that the D in front of me for the first half wasn't trying all that hard, because they thought I wasn't trying hard. Like they felt like "why should we care if she doesn't?". That's pure conjecture but it was the feeling I got. There was even one time when there were 3 opposing forwards set up in front of my net and no one from my side anywhere near me/them.
I didn't know anyone there, but there was one guy who apparently knew me. (A lot of times that happens- I don't generally see faces while playing. Besides the full cages a lot of them wear, I'm not looking at faces anyway. If someone wears the same jersey all the time, I'll recognize him. But for the most part I don't know who I'm playing with unless they actually say something to me during warmups or in the course of the game.) While we were waiting to get on the ice he said "Oh, I remember you!" I asked if that was a good thing or a bad thing and he said it was a good thing- the last time he played with me I played well. Well good thing, because I sucked this time. He played D on the side I played on for the second half and was pretty supportive. He was an older guy and kept giving me the "atta girl!" when I made a save or covered the puck in the nick of time. It would annoy me from anyone else, but he was clearly being supportive, and I guess it's just a generational thing. I mean, he was so old his helmet looked like a pasta strainer. ;)
Again, no one was a dick to me, which has happened in this particular session on other occasions, but I was clearly out of my league. Oh well, at least I got ice time. I changed as fast as I could and got the heck out of there afterwards, so I wouldn't run into any of them in the hall.
It'll be nice to get back to my "usual" groups; instructional league early this week, and open hockey later on in the week. At least I feel somewhat useful there.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
More growing pains
I've been letting something simmer in the back of my mind for the last month or so, because that is how I make decisions the best. Sleep on it, let it hang out there, get comfy, share some wine with my other thoughts, and eventually an answer will come to me.
I have had a blast in the instructional league. But a few things are pointing to the fact that it might be time for me to try moving up a level. I've been busy avoiding this idea for a while because it means leaving my friends. The idea was first posed to me by my coach. I asked him one morning why it was that I could kick ass in open hockey, and then be just mediocre when I played in my instructional league games. (This was after a particularly frustrating night in the league where I just wasn't myself, and let in a few goals I should have stopped without a problem, and two days before that I'd stood on my head against some really skilled guys in an open hockey match). He told me it was his experience that goalies who play at two different levels actually end up hurting their game in both- that going back and forth takes its toll on your reflexes and your mind. I instantly balked at the idea- I love playing with my friends. And with the insight of a member on a goalie message board I realized that each type of game fulfills different needs for me: the open hockey is good for speed and reacting without thinking, and the league I'm in is good for socializing and can be another form of a challenge. Namely, specifically recognizing that the shots are slower and challenging yourself not to think about each shot, whereas in open hockey I don't have time to think.
So for a while that was fine with me. Each level had different plusses and minuses. But now my coach has mentioned several times that it's time for me to move on. And each time I panic thinking "but I have so much fun and don't want to leave my friends!". Until the last few weeks. A big eye-opener was one game in which I thought I didn't face many shots at all, and actually was kind of bored out there. I later found out I'd turned away 19 of 21 shots, which was a lot more than I'd thought I'd had. And then the next week.... again I found myself bored while on the ice. I want to make it very clear that this is not a criticsm of my team-mates' or opponents skill level at all. (And I don't think I'm hot shit or anything either- I realize I'm the only one out of all of us taking private lessons. If I wasn't getting any better, that would be pretty sad). I think where its coming from is revelling in the speed and intensity of the open hockey games and becoming accustomed to the rush that provides. But I wonder how I can think it's time to move up when I'm certainly not shutting them out by any means (ha ha see the last game, 7-2). I also know for a fact, based on someone else's experience, that if I move up to the next level I'll get lit up every night until I hit that learning curve. And that'll take the fun out of it for a while.
And that's what's keeping me back. I know that if I decided to play in the D league next season, I'd be on a team where I don't know anyone. I'll be changing in the closet by myself again, instead of being a part of the comraderie in the locker room. I'll have to prove myself to the team and work hard to earn their trust and respect. I'm not afraid of having to work hard, but I hate the feeling of wondering if everyone's thinking "oh great... we got stuck with this goalie". Until I can jump the learning curve and prove myself, which I am confident that I can do, it will just take time.
I also was talking to one of the rink employees who used to be in our league and moved up, and he was trying pretty heavily to recruit me to try out for the womens' C team in the fall. The reasons I don't want to do that are for a whole other blog post, but I was flattered that he thought I could handle it. I haven't completely closed that door; I told him I'll see where I am and what I want to do in the fall and maybe I'll try out, but it's not an idea I'm crazy about right now.
So I'm not sure what to do. Between my coach, the uneasy boredom feeling I get now and then, and the fact that some of my team-mates are in fact tossing around the idea of maybe moving up, I think I should give it a try. But there are a lot of reasons to stay where I am as well. Fortunately, I have a while yet before I have to make a decision; our season just started and runs until the middle of June (or somewhere around there). So for now I'll enjoy every minute of it, in terms of the group I'm with. Because they're a great bunch of guys and the main reason I want to stick around. Besides, no one's tapped me on the shoulder and told me it's time for me to move on. (Except my coach. Who seems to have made it his personal mission to get me out of instructional league, given some comments at our last session.) So maybe I'll wait until/if that happens and let the decision get made for me. Though judging by the number of ringers on the opposing team on Tuesday night, no one's policing the skill level all that much anymore.
PS- I just realized this sounds like I'm always shutting them down in open hockey. Not the case at all. Once or twice I've stood on my head but more often I'm just about able to keep my head above water. But it's the fact that I can keep up with them, even just a little bit, that makes me think I might be able to handle the next level after I get my ass handed to me a few times. In no way am I trying to say that I'm on those guys' level (the open hockey guys).
I have had a blast in the instructional league. But a few things are pointing to the fact that it might be time for me to try moving up a level. I've been busy avoiding this idea for a while because it means leaving my friends. The idea was first posed to me by my coach. I asked him one morning why it was that I could kick ass in open hockey, and then be just mediocre when I played in my instructional league games. (This was after a particularly frustrating night in the league where I just wasn't myself, and let in a few goals I should have stopped without a problem, and two days before that I'd stood on my head against some really skilled guys in an open hockey match). He told me it was his experience that goalies who play at two different levels actually end up hurting their game in both- that going back and forth takes its toll on your reflexes and your mind. I instantly balked at the idea- I love playing with my friends. And with the insight of a member on a goalie message board I realized that each type of game fulfills different needs for me: the open hockey is good for speed and reacting without thinking, and the league I'm in is good for socializing and can be another form of a challenge. Namely, specifically recognizing that the shots are slower and challenging yourself not to think about each shot, whereas in open hockey I don't have time to think.
So for a while that was fine with me. Each level had different plusses and minuses. But now my coach has mentioned several times that it's time for me to move on. And each time I panic thinking "but I have so much fun and don't want to leave my friends!". Until the last few weeks. A big eye-opener was one game in which I thought I didn't face many shots at all, and actually was kind of bored out there. I later found out I'd turned away 19 of 21 shots, which was a lot more than I'd thought I'd had. And then the next week.... again I found myself bored while on the ice. I want to make it very clear that this is not a criticsm of my team-mates' or opponents skill level at all. (And I don't think I'm hot shit or anything either- I realize I'm the only one out of all of us taking private lessons. If I wasn't getting any better, that would be pretty sad). I think where its coming from is revelling in the speed and intensity of the open hockey games and becoming accustomed to the rush that provides. But I wonder how I can think it's time to move up when I'm certainly not shutting them out by any means (ha ha see the last game, 7-2). I also know for a fact, based on someone else's experience, that if I move up to the next level I'll get lit up every night until I hit that learning curve. And that'll take the fun out of it for a while.
And that's what's keeping me back. I know that if I decided to play in the D league next season, I'd be on a team where I don't know anyone. I'll be changing in the closet by myself again, instead of being a part of the comraderie in the locker room. I'll have to prove myself to the team and work hard to earn their trust and respect. I'm not afraid of having to work hard, but I hate the feeling of wondering if everyone's thinking "oh great... we got stuck with this goalie". Until I can jump the learning curve and prove myself, which I am confident that I can do, it will just take time.
I also was talking to one of the rink employees who used to be in our league and moved up, and he was trying pretty heavily to recruit me to try out for the womens' C team in the fall. The reasons I don't want to do that are for a whole other blog post, but I was flattered that he thought I could handle it. I haven't completely closed that door; I told him I'll see where I am and what I want to do in the fall and maybe I'll try out, but it's not an idea I'm crazy about right now.
So I'm not sure what to do. Between my coach, the uneasy boredom feeling I get now and then, and the fact that some of my team-mates are in fact tossing around the idea of maybe moving up, I think I should give it a try. But there are a lot of reasons to stay where I am as well. Fortunately, I have a while yet before I have to make a decision; our season just started and runs until the middle of June (or somewhere around there). So for now I'll enjoy every minute of it, in terms of the group I'm with. Because they're a great bunch of guys and the main reason I want to stick around. Besides, no one's tapped me on the shoulder and told me it's time for me to move on. (Except my coach. Who seems to have made it his personal mission to get me out of instructional league, given some comments at our last session.) So maybe I'll wait until/if that happens and let the decision get made for me. Though judging by the number of ringers on the opposing team on Tuesday night, no one's policing the skill level all that much anymore.
PS- I just realized this sounds like I'm always shutting them down in open hockey. Not the case at all. Once or twice I've stood on my head but more often I'm just about able to keep my head above water. But it's the fact that I can keep up with them, even just a little bit, that makes me think I might be able to handle the next level after I get my ass handed to me a few times. In no way am I trying to say that I'm on those guys' level (the open hockey guys).
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I have never been more insulted
Last's night's game was a complete joke. Not only did the other team have four, yes four players who were clearly D level or above, who played balls-out all night and I think were responsible for every single one of the 7 goals against us, but their strategy all night was also "run the goalie". Followed by "get up and claim that you're sorry and you don't know how to stop". I feel like a bus hit me this morning. I guess if you add up the combined weight of the players who ran me (I honestly lost count. It happened maybe 10 times?) it would be the same as a bus.
Anyway, I don't have time to run through the litany of things that made one of the refs the WORST excuse for an "official" I've ever had the displeasure of coming across, but the thing that had me incredibly steamed was one comment he made. First off, let me say that my goalie-brain switched itself into "Friday morning open hockey mode" when it became evident that the other team was stacked with ringers. I think I did really well. My posts saved my ass about three times, but at this point in the game we only had 1 goal against. It was about halfway into the second period and I froze a puck on the side of my net. When the ref came over to get it from me he asked me "Is this your first time playing in net?" (Now, because of a previous conversation with him about something else, I have a feeling he was not too pleased with me and was trying to get under my skin.) I couldn't believe he was taking the time to editorialize during a game. I fixed him with death-glare and didn't answer. He said "I asked you a question. Is this your first time-" I cut him off with an icy "No. But thanks." He responded by saying "Well I was going to say you're doing well is all." Unfortunately I thought of the perfect response after the game. I should have just smiled sweetly and said "No. Why, is it yours?" Asshat.
Ok. Maybe he wasn't trying to fuck with me. But you know what? I was standing on my fucking head. How in the world could it have looked like I was playing in net for the first time?! And on what planet is it appropriate for a fucking REFEREE to try to get into a goalie's head? Goalie-Husband thinks its a gender thing. I'm inclined to agree because later on, when I was run (again) by an opposing forward but this time actually drew a penalty, the guilty party started in about how it wasn't his fault, he couldn't stop. As he skated away I shouted back at him that if he couldn't stop he should get off the fucking ice. The ref turned and told me "YOU are going to shut your mouth!" Being a reasonable person, I did. Apparently he wasn't satisfied though and said "are we CLEAR?!" Um, hey fuckwad, I don't think I've said a word since you verbally bitch-slapped me. I replied with a very tense "Yep." I'm sorry, but that was completely unecessary. I've seen refs tell players "that's enough out of you", "knock it off or you'll get two (more)", etc. But "YOU are going to shut your mouth"??? Go beat your wife, asshole. I'm not your bitch.
I mentioned at the beginning of this post that we had 7 goals against. Maybe it was 8, who knows. But I want to make it very clear that although this ref and the other team made me lose my shit for about five minutes, that's all it was. I managed to rein myself in and was completely calm for the rest of the game. The last 5 goals (all in the 3rd period) had nothing to do with me being "off my game". I'm very much hoping that the team doesn't think I got rattled by the shitty officiating and the classless play and crumbled. Because I didn't. And I am also not placing blame on my team. I'm placing it squarely where it belongs- on the four ringers playing down about two levels that there wasn't much we as a team could do to defend. And I include myself in that. I just want it to be clear that it was their skill, and not my brain, that beat me. (Well, their skill and their cheating.) That's what's bothering me the most. That the team might think I let them down at the end there because I got stuck inside my own head. I know some of them will probably read this. But not all.... so I might send an email to the team. Or I might just let it go. I don't know though. It's one thing to let the comments of a worthless piece of crap go, it's another to be worried about what your team-mates and friends are thinking.
Anyway, I don't have time to run through the litany of things that made one of the refs the WORST excuse for an "official" I've ever had the displeasure of coming across, but the thing that had me incredibly steamed was one comment he made. First off, let me say that my goalie-brain switched itself into "Friday morning open hockey mode" when it became evident that the other team was stacked with ringers. I think I did really well. My posts saved my ass about three times, but at this point in the game we only had 1 goal against. It was about halfway into the second period and I froze a puck on the side of my net. When the ref came over to get it from me he asked me "Is this your first time playing in net?" (Now, because of a previous conversation with him about something else, I have a feeling he was not too pleased with me and was trying to get under my skin.) I couldn't believe he was taking the time to editorialize during a game. I fixed him with death-glare and didn't answer. He said "I asked you a question. Is this your first time-" I cut him off with an icy "No. But thanks." He responded by saying "Well I was going to say you're doing well is all." Unfortunately I thought of the perfect response after the game. I should have just smiled sweetly and said "No. Why, is it yours?" Asshat.
Ok. Maybe he wasn't trying to fuck with me. But you know what? I was standing on my fucking head. How in the world could it have looked like I was playing in net for the first time?! And on what planet is it appropriate for a fucking REFEREE to try to get into a goalie's head? Goalie-Husband thinks its a gender thing. I'm inclined to agree because later on, when I was run (again) by an opposing forward but this time actually drew a penalty, the guilty party started in about how it wasn't his fault, he couldn't stop. As he skated away I shouted back at him that if he couldn't stop he should get off the fucking ice. The ref turned and told me "YOU are going to shut your mouth!" Being a reasonable person, I did. Apparently he wasn't satisfied though and said "are we CLEAR?!" Um, hey fuckwad, I don't think I've said a word since you verbally bitch-slapped me. I replied with a very tense "Yep." I'm sorry, but that was completely unecessary. I've seen refs tell players "that's enough out of you", "knock it off or you'll get two (more)", etc. But "YOU are going to shut your mouth"??? Go beat your wife, asshole. I'm not your bitch.
I mentioned at the beginning of this post that we had 7 goals against. Maybe it was 8, who knows. But I want to make it very clear that although this ref and the other team made me lose my shit for about five minutes, that's all it was. I managed to rein myself in and was completely calm for the rest of the game. The last 5 goals (all in the 3rd period) had nothing to do with me being "off my game". I'm very much hoping that the team doesn't think I got rattled by the shitty officiating and the classless play and crumbled. Because I didn't. And I am also not placing blame on my team. I'm placing it squarely where it belongs- on the four ringers playing down about two levels that there wasn't much we as a team could do to defend. And I include myself in that. I just want it to be clear that it was their skill, and not my brain, that beat me. (Well, their skill and their cheating.) That's what's bothering me the most. That the team might think I let them down at the end there because I got stuck inside my own head. I know some of them will probably read this. But not all.... so I might send an email to the team. Or I might just let it go. I don't know though. It's one thing to let the comments of a worthless piece of crap go, it's another to be worried about what your team-mates and friends are thinking.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Goalie Tip #328: Your post is not lonely
I got my ass kicked today, as I expected. In my last lesson, I had the same problem I had the week before; dropping my blocker. I expressed frustration at this and my coach suggested going back to the training center for the next lesson, so I could face the puck machine. This would give me tons of shots to the same spot, and he thinks I just need repetition to get the correct move ingrained in my muscles.
I had a feeling this was going to be tough, and it was. The machine is a big rectangular thing on wheels, with a chute in front that can be moved up or down, which kind of reminded me of the cannon on the front of a tank. I guess I'm not the only one- when the kid was loading the long cylinder sticking out the top with pucks, my coach told him "you have to yell 'fire in the hole!' when you do that". There's a speed adjustment on it, thankfully, and he set it to a slow speed to get me warmed up. It was actually pretty cool. What was even cooler though, is that my coach decided to give me the "deluxe treatment" today- he set up the video camera and dvd recorder so I could see for myself what he was talking about. That was pretty cool. And I spotted it instantly- but when I went back out again I just did the same thing again. I'm super frustrated about it but he assured me it's one of those things that I just have to keep at and it will "click". And then we'll move on to the next thing... ha ha ha. Great.
But, I never leave a lesson without some pearls of wisdom, so I offer you today's advice. We were doing a regular drill with me starting on one post, then coming out to center to take a shot. At one point he tapped at my glove while I was on the post and asked me what I was doing with it. I explained I was covering the gap between the post and my bent knee. He said that was good, but my glove in that position wasn't doing anything for me. "All you're doing is giving the post a nice embrace." He also pointed out that I was leaving the back of my hand exposed, and with not much padding on it, that's a bad idea. He re-arranged my glove to show me how it should be, and explained why it should be that way. "Your post is not lonely, you don't need to give it a hug", he added.
As luck would have it, the third shot after that went off my glove and dinged off the post. I got up and skated back to the net and said "That's why I give my post some love". My coach agreed and said that yes, that was the proper time to give it a good tap, and talk to it a little. Gotta love goalie logic.
I had a feeling this was going to be tough, and it was. The machine is a big rectangular thing on wheels, with a chute in front that can be moved up or down, which kind of reminded me of the cannon on the front of a tank. I guess I'm not the only one- when the kid was loading the long cylinder sticking out the top with pucks, my coach told him "you have to yell 'fire in the hole!' when you do that". There's a speed adjustment on it, thankfully, and he set it to a slow speed to get me warmed up. It was actually pretty cool. What was even cooler though, is that my coach decided to give me the "deluxe treatment" today- he set up the video camera and dvd recorder so I could see for myself what he was talking about. That was pretty cool. And I spotted it instantly- but when I went back out again I just did the same thing again. I'm super frustrated about it but he assured me it's one of those things that I just have to keep at and it will "click". And then we'll move on to the next thing... ha ha ha. Great.
But, I never leave a lesson without some pearls of wisdom, so I offer you today's advice. We were doing a regular drill with me starting on one post, then coming out to center to take a shot. At one point he tapped at my glove while I was on the post and asked me what I was doing with it. I explained I was covering the gap between the post and my bent knee. He said that was good, but my glove in that position wasn't doing anything for me. "All you're doing is giving the post a nice embrace." He also pointed out that I was leaving the back of my hand exposed, and with not much padding on it, that's a bad idea. He re-arranged my glove to show me how it should be, and explained why it should be that way. "Your post is not lonely, you don't need to give it a hug", he added.
As luck would have it, the third shot after that went off my glove and dinged off the post. I got up and skated back to the net and said "That's why I give my post some love". My coach agreed and said that yes, that was the proper time to give it a good tap, and talk to it a little. Gotta love goalie logic.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Yes, I'm a chick
If you know me personally, or have been reading this blog, you pretty much know my viewpoint on gender in regards to hockey. As far as I’m concerned, when you’re on the ice, you have no gender. So much so that a former team-mate, who is now a pretty good off-ice friend, once told me “You’re not a woman. You’re ‘Goalie’.” That’s absolutely fine with me.
It is, however, no big secret that I’m a chick. And as much as I’m one of the guys most of the time, there are times when I just can’t help being a girl, and make no apologies for it. Now, I have never been one of those eternally irritating “puck bunny” female fans, but the fact remains that yes, some hockey players are rather attractive (see: Kari Lehtonen). Just as I’m sure some baseball players and lacrosse players and curling, um, players (?) are. I generally don’t make a habit of going on about it (except in privacy with my best friend, or completely in good fun around my husband). So I’m not sure how, but somehow I seem to have ended up with some kind of reputation. I give you two recent conversations as evidence.
Part the First
I’m not sure why, but my husband and I subjected ourselves to watching the last Ranger/Devil game in enemy territory- i.e., at a Devils fan’s house. Naturally the banter was flying all night. Especially between me and the previously mentioned former team-mate; for some reason we love to push each other’s buttons. At one point he gave me a what-if scenario, and asked honestly what would I rather do, have a full hour one on one personal instruction with Marty, or have a chance to shake hands and say hi to a few Rangers. Naturally, I chose the latter, and explained that as much as Marty is an incredible goalie, he doesn’t make a good study technique-wise. (Truth be told, I would jump at the chance because I’m sure I could learn a thing or two hundred from him, but as I mentioned, pushing buttons is really what it’s all about here).
Fast forward to after the game, when we were watching the coverage of the other series being played, and a particularly impressive (to me) save by one Carey Price made the highlight reel. Now, Price has quickly become one of my favorite goalies to watch. For some reason its very easy for me to see what he’s doing right in order to make the saves he makes. He’s also incredibly fluid and confident. So, without even thinking about how it sounded, I blurted out “Wow. I’d love to have a one on one with him!” Reactions in the room ranged from my husband rolling his eyes and pretending to look hurt, to my buddy telling me “that’s gross”, to my buddy’s girlfriend bursting out laughing and calling me a pedophile.
Part the Second
Again, it’s Price getting me in trouble. I give you the transcript of a text message between fellow goalie and Bruins fan friend this morning.
Him: My boys are one loss away from being out of it.
Me: Sorry, that stinks. Honestly I’m for the habs though. Price – wow.
Him: Yeah yeah yeah, I know, you like ‘em young.
Okayyy... Is this kid some Adonis or something? I’ve honestly never seen his face. It’s just his technique I’m totally enamored with, I swear. Besides, he may be younger than Kari, but there’s no way he’s cuter. Just not possible.
It is, however, no big secret that I’m a chick. And as much as I’m one of the guys most of the time, there are times when I just can’t help being a girl, and make no apologies for it. Now, I have never been one of those eternally irritating “puck bunny” female fans, but the fact remains that yes, some hockey players are rather attractive (see: Kari Lehtonen). Just as I’m sure some baseball players and lacrosse players and curling, um, players (?) are. I generally don’t make a habit of going on about it (except in privacy with my best friend, or completely in good fun around my husband). So I’m not sure how, but somehow I seem to have ended up with some kind of reputation. I give you two recent conversations as evidence.
Part the First
I’m not sure why, but my husband and I subjected ourselves to watching the last Ranger/Devil game in enemy territory- i.e., at a Devils fan’s house. Naturally the banter was flying all night. Especially between me and the previously mentioned former team-mate; for some reason we love to push each other’s buttons. At one point he gave me a what-if scenario, and asked honestly what would I rather do, have a full hour one on one personal instruction with Marty, or have a chance to shake hands and say hi to a few Rangers. Naturally, I chose the latter, and explained that as much as Marty is an incredible goalie, he doesn’t make a good study technique-wise. (Truth be told, I would jump at the chance because I’m sure I could learn a thing or two hundred from him, but as I mentioned, pushing buttons is really what it’s all about here).
Fast forward to after the game, when we were watching the coverage of the other series being played, and a particularly impressive (to me) save by one Carey Price made the highlight reel. Now, Price has quickly become one of my favorite goalies to watch. For some reason its very easy for me to see what he’s doing right in order to make the saves he makes. He’s also incredibly fluid and confident. So, without even thinking about how it sounded, I blurted out “Wow. I’d love to have a one on one with him!” Reactions in the room ranged from my husband rolling his eyes and pretending to look hurt, to my buddy telling me “that’s gross”, to my buddy’s girlfriend bursting out laughing and calling me a pedophile.
Part the Second
Again, it’s Price getting me in trouble. I give you the transcript of a text message between fellow goalie and Bruins fan friend this morning.
Him: My boys are one loss away from being out of it.
Me: Sorry, that stinks. Honestly I’m for the habs though. Price – wow.
Him: Yeah yeah yeah, I know, you like ‘em young.
Okayyy... Is this kid some Adonis or something? I’ve honestly never seen his face. It’s just his technique I’m totally enamored with, I swear. Besides, he may be younger than Kari, but there’s no way he’s cuter. Just not possible.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Morning punchy-ness
In all of my short goalie life, I’ve never done a two-pad stack. I developed on my own into goalie who relies heavily on the butterfly, and it seems that butterfly goalies rarely use that particular skill. In thinking about it, I guess it makes sense- the butterfly takes away the bottom of the net just the same, but just a quick slide over to one side or another (or a recovery to your feet, etc etc) and you’ve got any rebound covered. Once you’re laid out on your side… well there isn’t much you can do after that. Unless your name is Dom. So while I’ve always been curious about how to do it, I’ve never really pursued it. I’ve read technical descriptions, but that’s a little different than someone showing you how it’s done. Well, today, without even meaning to, I did one, sort of. And then caught all kinds of hell from my coach for it.
We were doing a drill where he and another shooter were positioned on either side, about 10 feet (maybe more?) out from the top corners of the crease. I had to square up to my coach, then on his stick-tap, quickly move across and face the other shooter, take a shot, then come back across and take a quick second shot from the other side. The inside edges on my skates are totally shot, so I was having a hard time getting enough of a push to come all the way over to be square for the second shot. In desperation, as I started to lose my balance, I flung my legs out and slid across on my side. I thought to myself, huh, I guess that’s a two-pad stack…. And then immediately heard my coach say “Ugh, the Marty stack! What do we say to the Marty stack, OtherShooter?”
OtherShooter: Booooooooooo!
Coach: Booooooo! Around here we booooo the Marty stack!
Me: I didn’t really mean to do that.
Coach: I hope not!!!
A brief discussion of the previous night’s Devils/Rangers playoff game ensued, with Coach pointing out saves both goalies had made and breaking them down. Then suddenly he remembered why we were there. “Ok enough of this. Back to work.” Why is it that whenever we go off on a side tangent discussion and he reels it back in and says ‘back to work’, I end up with a real ass-kicking drill? This was another new-to-me drill, the point of which was to build conditioning and speed in dropping into the butterfly. Close range shot after shot, with barely enough time to get back up again before initiating the next knee drive. (Ha, like that casual usage of technical terminology? That’s not even from lessons, that’s from all the goalie magazines I’ve been reading.)
We have a game tonight, and so far I’m still revved up and raring to go. I think one of the smartest things I ever did was stop doing lessons on the same day that I had a game later that night, but I have to say it did go a long way in getting me psyched for the game. I feel great. I feel like eating pucks for midnight snacks.
We were doing a drill where he and another shooter were positioned on either side, about 10 feet (maybe more?) out from the top corners of the crease. I had to square up to my coach, then on his stick-tap, quickly move across and face the other shooter, take a shot, then come back across and take a quick second shot from the other side. The inside edges on my skates are totally shot, so I was having a hard time getting enough of a push to come all the way over to be square for the second shot. In desperation, as I started to lose my balance, I flung my legs out and slid across on my side. I thought to myself, huh, I guess that’s a two-pad stack…. And then immediately heard my coach say “Ugh, the Marty stack! What do we say to the Marty stack, OtherShooter?”
OtherShooter: Booooooooooo!
Coach: Booooooo! Around here we booooo the Marty stack!
Me: I didn’t really mean to do that.
Coach: I hope not!!!
A brief discussion of the previous night’s Devils/Rangers playoff game ensued, with Coach pointing out saves both goalies had made and breaking them down. Then suddenly he remembered why we were there. “Ok enough of this. Back to work.” Why is it that whenever we go off on a side tangent discussion and he reels it back in and says ‘back to work’, I end up with a real ass-kicking drill? This was another new-to-me drill, the point of which was to build conditioning and speed in dropping into the butterfly. Close range shot after shot, with barely enough time to get back up again before initiating the next knee drive. (Ha, like that casual usage of technical terminology? That’s not even from lessons, that’s from all the goalie magazines I’ve been reading.)
We have a game tonight, and so far I’m still revved up and raring to go. I think one of the smartest things I ever did was stop doing lessons on the same day that I had a game later that night, but I have to say it did go a long way in getting me psyched for the game. I feel great. I feel like eating pucks for midnight snacks.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Update
After a stunning undefeated season we lost our two "playoff" games amidst much drama. I'll spare you the whining (which is why I didn't post about it here), but basically it was a crappy end to an otherwise great season. Time to put it behind us and start fresh- next season starts next week. We've lost several key players to various reasons (injury, being "graduated", moving on to officiating, etc.) so it will be interesting to see how long it takes us to get some chemistry going. We got our roster last night and it's the shortest bench in the league- however, there are a few people who apparently haven't signed up yet, so here's hoping they will and we'll see them by game time next week.
My lessons continue, though I'm not sure for how long. I have been planning for several months to take the summer off from lessons, but I'm not sure if I will stop at the end of April or May. This week I was back on the “real” ice for a session that frustrated the heck out of me. Man, was I off. I'm dropping my hands (especially my blocker) every time I go into the butterfly. Every damn time. How many times does my coach have to tell me “keep your hands up”? I asked him afterwards when does it go from me knowing what I’m doing wrong to me fixing it. He said I was just having a bad day- he hasn't noticed this much trouble with it in the past. That’s encouraging at least. He also brought a shooter with him. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m getting better or because he was particularly tired today and didn’t feel like skating back and forth and all over. ;)
We also did a few new drills; one simulating a lost faceoff and pass back for a shot, one where I squared up to one spot but then had to real quick readjust for a shot coming from just to my left (and then repeated on the right) and then another one from center, and a new skating drill to work on quickness. While I was running through that he said “You know what I’m noticing?” Thinking this was a test I analyzed what I’d just done and said “I’m stopping on the wrong foot?” He laughed and said “No…. actually I was noticing how much your skating has improved. Think back to when you first came out and you’d do a few and fall, do a few more and catch an edge. Now I gave you this drill and you’re just zipping through it.” I was trying not to beam, but it felt really good hearing that. I know my skating’s improved by leaps and bounds, and my team-mates have noticed it as well. But to hear it from him was really cool. But he didn’t want me to get a big head, because then he said “Ok, enough of this. Go!” and tapped his stick…. and off I went through the drill again.
We also worked some more on coralling the puck behind the net on a dump-in, which I've noted here before is a glaring weakness of mine. This is only the second time we've worked on it, but I already felt like I'm starting to get the hang of it. It doesn't feel so awkward now- I just have to work on refining it. It's probably not something I'll bring into a game until I'm a little more comfortable with it, but you never know what you'll do when you don't think and just react. And now that the weather's getting nicer I can set up a plywood board outside and just wing pucks at the fence until I get better at actually moving it more than 4 feet. See? Every season is hockey season.
My lessons continue, though I'm not sure for how long. I have been planning for several months to take the summer off from lessons, but I'm not sure if I will stop at the end of April or May. This week I was back on the “real” ice for a session that frustrated the heck out of me. Man, was I off. I'm dropping my hands (especially my blocker) every time I go into the butterfly. Every damn time. How many times does my coach have to tell me “keep your hands up”? I asked him afterwards when does it go from me knowing what I’m doing wrong to me fixing it. He said I was just having a bad day- he hasn't noticed this much trouble with it in the past. That’s encouraging at least. He also brought a shooter with him. I’m not sure if that’s because I’m getting better or because he was particularly tired today and didn’t feel like skating back and forth and all over. ;)
We also did a few new drills; one simulating a lost faceoff and pass back for a shot, one where I squared up to one spot but then had to real quick readjust for a shot coming from just to my left (and then repeated on the right) and then another one from center, and a new skating drill to work on quickness. While I was running through that he said “You know what I’m noticing?” Thinking this was a test I analyzed what I’d just done and said “I’m stopping on the wrong foot?” He laughed and said “No…. actually I was noticing how much your skating has improved. Think back to when you first came out and you’d do a few and fall, do a few more and catch an edge. Now I gave you this drill and you’re just zipping through it.” I was trying not to beam, but it felt really good hearing that. I know my skating’s improved by leaps and bounds, and my team-mates have noticed it as well. But to hear it from him was really cool. But he didn’t want me to get a big head, because then he said “Ok, enough of this. Go!” and tapped his stick…. and off I went through the drill again.
We also worked some more on coralling the puck behind the net on a dump-in, which I've noted here before is a glaring weakness of mine. This is only the second time we've worked on it, but I already felt like I'm starting to get the hang of it. It doesn't feel so awkward now- I just have to work on refining it. It's probably not something I'll bring into a game until I'm a little more comfortable with it, but you never know what you'll do when you don't think and just react. And now that the weather's getting nicer I can set up a plywood board outside and just wing pucks at the fence until I get better at actually moving it more than 4 feet. See? Every season is hockey season.
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