Dan H wrote:
There's another option of working hard on your transitions and skating using your edges until you can gap up properly to an oncoming player, or perhaps make a tight turn to body up to the puck carrier without violently checking him. It's hard to hold onto a puck when someone is physically contacting you and lifting your stick, even if you weren't body checked.
Plus, in most situations on the ice, you're doing something wrong if the other team is carrying the puck and you're skating in the opposite direction. About the only times I can think of this should happen is if the puck just got turned over and you haven't transitioned yet, or if you collapsed to your net front because the puck went there, then had to skate out to cover a defenseman after the puck got batted back out to the point. And even in the latter situation attempting a body check would be a bad strategic move even in a checking league.
I can't remember the details at this point, but the play I'm referencing was at the blue line. I feel like he was trying to keep it inside the zone.
My skating can certainly use some work. I still have difficulty crossing over backwards. So maintaining a good gap is tricky. In those cases I usually try not to overcommit and just keep him outside of me. Or pinch up a bit and throw a poke check knowing my defense will be able to pick up where I left off.
Just upgraded my shoulder and elbow pads to the Bauer one.8 line. So much lighter than the bulky stuff i recently sold, which is awesome for a tall lanky SOB like myself. I no longer feel constricted in my pads.
Does anyone play at Bethel Park Bladerunners? I live ten minutes from there and while I know tons of people that play at Ice Castle and Rostraver and Southpointe I've never talked to anyone who actually plays at BP Bladerunners. I always found this to be strange.
Just got two brand new Easton V9 sticks on eBay for $140 each. Gotta try to break them in over the weekend. Trying the new E36 curve Easton just put out. Less of an open face, but I've been putting pucks way over the net lately and handling/passing way more than I have in the past since moving to center.
I was using a toe curve before, I'm just finding myself on more breakaway and situations calling for passes so a flatter curve just helps that I'm hoping.
Right, I meant specifically for Easton's stick line. The retail Kane for Bauer and retail Iginla for Easton are basically the same (I think the Bauer one has slightly more hook/curve). I think the E36 replaces the Iginla for Easton
yubb wrote:I like a nice flat curve, Zetterberg, Stamkos, Crosby.
I think big curves are kind of gimmicky. And it can cripple your backhand.
it can but doesn't have to. I use the Lidstrom/Getzlaf curve and have no problem scoring on backhands (including Friday night over a sprawling goalie) with it even though I probably shouldn't really be able to.
my only complaint about this curve is that nobody offers it in a intermediate stick so if I want lower flex (like 65) I have to go custom.
it's always worked for me even though it probably shouldn't. I'm a Holmstrom type of forward, about 90% of my goals come from just outside the paint so it would be hard (though not impossible) for me to miss the net.
I have no idea how I'm able to get the kind of backhand shots and passes that I do. if I practice against the boards my results aren't good. if I do it in a game without thinking I'm money though.
I have 2 sticks. My regular one is 65 flex (Easton, Iggy curve). I also have a 95 flex Sherwood composite that's basically a sand wedge. Still don't really know how to shoot that thing.
Just an idea of how open the curve is, I've put it over the boards/netting from 5 feet in front of the crease.
