Thoughts about Recreational Hockey

I play hockey with a good group of people. I have been playing with this group for years. The thing about playing goalie is there's a lot of time when you're not involved in the play, and can take the time to observe. The other thing is that the more you know about the players' styles, the easier it is to predict what they'll do.

One thing that seems to cross people and relationships is this: when you play on the same team as a significant other, you don't play as well. It doesn't matter whether the relationship is parent-child, spouse/partner, siblings, or (worst of all) dating. the two of you pay more attention to each other and thus less to everyone else on your team, and the game in general. The better of the pair will often play way out of position to help out the other (and you're not usually good enough to cover both positions so it really doesn't help). You tend to pass to each other if at all possible. The better one of the pair works very very hard to pass to the other so give the other a chance at a shot. Since there are 3 other people on your team on the ice at the same time, that's not usually the best choice. It makes things very easy for me as a goalie, because I know who's likely to shoot and who will pass, and I know where the pass is going. It also makes the game a lot less fun for everyone besides the two of you, since you're not as much fun to watch as you think.

Since it appears to be my time to complain, let's talk about how not to play defense. You won't stop many shot if you hold your stick horizontally at waist level. You don't add anything by standing in the net in front of, or next to, the goalie. You should never be the person farthest away from the net you are defending. Your job is to get in the way, but get in the way of the other team and not your own. You're not going to see much or have any idea what to do if you turn your back on the play and the puck. When you get the puck behind your own net, the best play is rarely to skate past all your teammates - you'll see them standing on the blue line waiting for you so they're not offsides - and go take your shot. Save that for a shift on forward. Clearing the puck away from the net is a good thing, but it's even better if you look up first and pass to someone on your own team. And last but not least - stay out of the crease if you're not dressed for it.