Winning goalies like the shootout
Oct 27, 2005 6:00:42 GMT -5
Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 27, 2005 6:00:42 GMT -5
October 23, 2005
Winning goalies like the shootout
By AL STRACHAN, TORONTO SUN
Of all the new rules, the one that seems to be creating the most controversy is the shootout.
Although it is highly popular among American hockey fans, a lot of Canadians still don't like it.
Strangely enough though, a highly unscientific survey -- a series of chats with the players themselves -- would indicate that the players enjoy it.
The goalies? Reviews are mixed. They tend to say that they like the shootouts when they win, but for the most part, they accept it as a form of entertainment that is necessary to help the game recapture its fan base.
"I'm one of the rarer guys in the league who played in the IHL," Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco said. "There aren't too many of us. I know what comes along with the shootout.
"There's a lot of pressure. You're playing in the NHL and every team has got great players and you know what? It's not just the great players who are good shootout players.
"You don't always know who the good shootout guys are because it's probably guys you've never seen before because you've never seen them on a breakaway unless you live with them in the summertime."
But in general, Turco said, NHL goalies have to be able to handle pressure or they wouldn't be where they are.
Tomas Vokoun of the Nashville Predators sees it as a matter of mindset.
"It's all about mental toughness," he said. "I've been part of some shootouts that were do-or-die in international competition, and that was really tough.
"It's definitely a skill, and you have to work on it. You have to read what the shooter is going to do. There are signs. Usually when you make the save, it shows you what he was trying to do."
- slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2005/10/23/pf-1275118.html
Winning goalies like the shootout
By AL STRACHAN, TORONTO SUN
Of all the new rules, the one that seems to be creating the most controversy is the shootout.
Although it is highly popular among American hockey fans, a lot of Canadians still don't like it.
Strangely enough though, a highly unscientific survey -- a series of chats with the players themselves -- would indicate that the players enjoy it.
The goalies? Reviews are mixed. They tend to say that they like the shootouts when they win, but for the most part, they accept it as a form of entertainment that is necessary to help the game recapture its fan base.
"I'm one of the rarer guys in the league who played in the IHL," Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco said. "There aren't too many of us. I know what comes along with the shootout.
"There's a lot of pressure. You're playing in the NHL and every team has got great players and you know what? It's not just the great players who are good shootout players.
"You don't always know who the good shootout guys are because it's probably guys you've never seen before because you've never seen them on a breakaway unless you live with them in the summertime."
But in general, Turco said, NHL goalies have to be able to handle pressure or they wouldn't be where they are.
Tomas Vokoun of the Nashville Predators sees it as a matter of mindset.
"It's all about mental toughness," he said. "I've been part of some shootouts that were do-or-die in international competition, and that was really tough.
"It's definitely a skill, and you have to work on it. You have to read what the shooter is going to do. There are signs. Usually when you make the save, it shows you what he was trying to do."
- slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Strachan/2005/10/23/pf-1275118.html