Examining a Desperate Save Moment

Here is an oldie, but a goodie...

Examining a Desperate Save Moment

Watching the hockey highlights late at night it is easy to see that it is often the 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 goalies should be happy to be in a desperate situation. Sure, goaltenders do not want the puck to hit that 4x6 foot frame and they will do anything to stop the puck, but goalies and coaches need to understand why goalies must make desperation saves.

There are usually a number of scenarios that can occur to induce a desperate/instinctive save attempt. The following are the six possible reasons why the goaltender has become desperate.

1. The goaltender is off angle The goaltender must accomplish three things, at the same time, to truly be on angle

1. Be on center of the net.
2. Be square to the puck.
3. Find proper depth for the situation

A well-positioned goaltender will create more missed shots. The less the puck sees the more accurate the shot must be. **Make the shooter take the perfect shot.**

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 earlyA 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 top five 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.

1. 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 two feet 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Now that we have examined the reasons why a desperation save may be needed as well as what forwards tend to do when the goaltender is at their mercy it is time to discuss strategies for making a desperation save. Below is some strategies for making the game saving stop.

1. Build from the bottom up
The same strategy for playing passing plays works for making desperation saves. The goaltender wants to seal the ice first then add vertical coverage. Sealing the ice can be done with the pad(s), trapper, stick, arm, and an out stretched body. Often a desperation save will build momentum that will automatically cover low first. **Remember: forwards are lazy and will look to make the easy plays first. What is easier then sliding the puck on the ice?**

2. Proximity is a valuable weapon
The basics of playing the angles states that the closer the goalie gets to the puck the less net is available to hit. No matter how much net the forward thinks is available the only perspective that counts is the puck’s perspective. If at all possible push any available equipment towards the puck. The closer a piece of equipment is to the puck the less vertical coverage is required.

3. Show a target
If the goaltender is stuck in a sprawled position on the ice they should make sure not to wave the arms wildly. One of the best strategies is to present a target, such as an open glove, for the forward to look at. If a forward is sucked into looking at the open trapper they are more likely to shoot the puck right at the target presented. Elite hockey players will shoot the puck where they are looking.

4. Rotate the body while down
Sometimes a goalie is required to rotate the body in some manner. If the goalie falls on their butt they may have to rotate to the side to build from the bottom up. Rotation can give more reach or can create proximity. The Hasek Roll is based on body rotation that builds from the bottom up. Rotation requires excellent core flexibility and strength.

5. DO NOT GIVE UP!!
No matter what, the goaltender should never give up. Keep an eye on the puck at all times and get something in the way of the puck. A team is more likely to play hard in front of a goalie who has a “never say die” attitude.

To finish off this article we will examine some specific save movements that a goalie can use in their arsenal of weapons.

1. The Two Pad Stack
Although MTN does not do much with pad stacks it is still a valuable weapon. The pad stack requires the goaltender to lay on their side with the pads stacked on top of each other. The trailing arm forms an L, sealing the ice, which should be used to block passes or a player continuing with the puck. The arm that is not on the ice, of course, is stacked on top of the pads. The goalie should be strong enough to raise the leg and arm if needed. The biggest drawback to the pad stack is the lack of slide control and lack of rebound control.

2. The Hasek Rollover
Domink Hasek has revolutionized goaltending with his rollover, an extension of the two pad stack. The rollover requires the goalie to rotate the should of the top arm until it seals the ice behind the head. After the arm seals the ice the goalie swings the stacked pads over to build vertical coverage on the other side of the net. This move makes it hard to see the puck all of the way.

3. The Spread Eagle
If the goalie ends up on their butt it is best to sit up straight and spread the legs as far apart as possible, again sealing the ice. Keep the gloves up. **Remember to present a target. If necessary the goaltender can drop their stick to allow for quicker arm movements. DO NOT THROW THE STICK. Some pads may not seal to the ice from a sitting position; use the stick to seal low.**

4. The Leg Drag
The leg drag was a popular move in the 80’s and early 90’s pioneered by Ron Hextall, Bill Ranford, and Kirk McLean. The leg drag is used when the goalie is late getting across on a quick passing play. This move requires the goalie to let the back leg of the t-push to drag behind in case of a low shot to the opposite side or if the player tries to take the puck in the opposite direction. This move can lead easily into a pad stack. Unfortunately this move does not seal the ice well, stick placement is key. This move also creates a lot of momentum that is hard to stop if needed.

5. The Splits
The ability to perform the splits is tied to strong flexibility through all parts of the body. Performing the splits is simply a case where the goaltender spreads both legs as wide as possible to gain extra reach with the legs and hands. Covering low is once again the priority, but the hands are important as a way to cut off the vertical angle the path would need to travel to clear the pad. IF the splits can be used in combination with prximity and showing a target this tactic can be efeective, when needed.

6. Long Body Extensions
Long body extensions are a less flexible person's version of doing the splits. Long body extensions are a form of desperation, popularized by Hasek once again, where the goaltender extends their legs and body in a backwards and lateral motion where the upperbody ends up falling forward. Once again, the focus is cover from the bottom up with the possibility of using the hands, and stick, to stack coverage above the pads. Bringing the pads, hands and stick is key to gaining vertical coverage once agin while getting the majority of the goaltender's body directed towards the puck while sealing the ice low.

7. The Head First Dive
If all else fails dive head first. Cover the ice then build vertical coverage with outstretched arms. This is a high risk move but may save the goaltender and team once in a while.

To conclude, the most important thing to remember is… NEVER GIVE UP!!!

As a challenge to our members, and also because I don't have time tonight, post any pictures or videos where the goaltender shown displays a technique or faces a situation discussed in this post. Make sure to explain what parts of the picture or video relates to this article. Have fun with this challenge (I will try to get the pictures for the article posted in the next few days).

This is an amazing thread... as I tend to be a pretty crappy goalie, i tend to find myself in the 'poor rebound control' category alot. Understanding the shooter mindset is something I never really considered... I just assumed i need to get to the opposite corner, but it's true, in hindsight, that most rebound shots do tend towards the middle of the net....

Thanks for the initial post analysis...