Last night during practice, I noticed something. I miss the net – a lot. And that really drives me nuts. I feel like they’re wasted shots. I rather put it in the goalies chest than miss the net.
I don’t understand. I used to be so accurate in inline. I wonder if it is partly I’m still getting used to ice. But it has been a year now. My accuracy should have improved. I also believe part of my problem is strength. I’m not able to lift the puck as quickly as I should. I also believe I’m not rolling my wrists. I attribute that partly to playing golf. When I roll my wrists in golf, my shots go all over. They’re two different games, yes. But they have similar motions, and I have a problem in I do the same motions in both games. I went back to an older, shorter stick (about an inch and half different) and it definitely helped.
I also must follow through on my shots. That should help get some of the speed back into my shots.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Team Jerseys
Jerseys are something that I take great pride in. If you look in my closet, you’ll find a ton of NHL jerseys. I take very good care of them but I do wear them regularly. The problem is that they’re expensive. And that also comes down to the amateur level.
The Immortals are getting white jerseys, and I’ve offered to do a majority of the legwork on them. There isn’t a clear consensus on what the team wants, but the most common request is something cheaper. I like this. While the thrill of wearing a jersey that matches your team is great, really – it can get overly expensive. When you can pay $35 for a jersey with your logo, name and number on it, and pay $80 for a jersey with the same, just nicer quality, is the difference worth $45? To me, I rather take that $45 and spend it on some equipment. It doesn’t matter if I wear a $10 practice jersey, or a $300 authentic NHL jersey, I’m going to play the same. As long as I can identify who is and isn’t on my team, I’m fine.
I feel that the cheap mesh jerseys last just as long as the nice air knit jerseys. So really, it is nothing but a financial choice. I’m curious as to how others feel about their teams’ jerseys and what is ideal for them.
The Immortals are getting white jerseys, and I’ve offered to do a majority of the legwork on them. There isn’t a clear consensus on what the team wants, but the most common request is something cheaper. I like this. While the thrill of wearing a jersey that matches your team is great, really – it can get overly expensive. When you can pay $35 for a jersey with your logo, name and number on it, and pay $80 for a jersey with the same, just nicer quality, is the difference worth $45? To me, I rather take that $45 and spend it on some equipment. It doesn’t matter if I wear a $10 practice jersey, or a $300 authentic NHL jersey, I’m going to play the same. As long as I can identify who is and isn’t on my team, I’m fine.
I feel that the cheap mesh jerseys last just as long as the nice air knit jerseys. So really, it is nothing but a financial choice. I’m curious as to how others feel about their teams’ jerseys and what is ideal for them.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
High Sticks are becoming more frequent
Over the past handful of months, I've taken a lot more high sticks than normal. I know part is that I'm playing with players that are less advanced skaters, but there are times when I get them playing with more advanced players.
With the recent improvement in my skating and balance, I wonder if I'm putting my self lower to the ice. I'm already a shorter guy compared to other players, so when I get lower is it possible I'm putting myself too low?
I do wear a full cage, so for the most part, high sticks aren't a big deal. They're just a good wake up call. I get very pissed when I do receive them though because there are very few reasons I can think of where the player isn't being reckless with their stick. I believe that you should be in control of your stick at all times. Now if someone comes around and lifts your stick, of course it is going to go up, but very rarely have I seen players lift the blade of their stick up to the level of my head.
With the recent improvement in my skating and balance, I wonder if I'm putting my self lower to the ice. I'm already a shorter guy compared to other players, so when I get lower is it possible I'm putting myself too low?
I do wear a full cage, so for the most part, high sticks aren't a big deal. They're just a good wake up call. I get very pissed when I do receive them though because there are very few reasons I can think of where the player isn't being reckless with their stick. I believe that you should be in control of your stick at all times. Now if someone comes around and lifts your stick, of course it is going to go up, but very rarely have I seen players lift the blade of their stick up to the level of my head.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Easton S7 Stick
My sticks are something that I’ve always felt touchy with. The weight of the stick, the balance, the pattern, I can really tell a difference in them when I’m using them. I’ve used a variety of sticks over my short career. Wooden ones, cheap two piece ones, with a wooden blade. I made the jump to one piece sticks a while ago, and up until recently, I haven’t found one I fell in love with.
Until I played with the Easton S7. I love this stick. I have the S5, and it just feels really heavy to me. I’ve learned though, I should be using an intermediate stick and I think that goes a long way. With my S5, I had to cut a few inches off. With the intermediate, I cut off two or so. At 130 pounds, I’m not really suited for a 100 flex stick. But what’s interesting is I also had a Warrior 70 flex in my hands (the s7 is a 65 flex). I can drastically feel the difference in stiffness. I checked Easton’s 85 flex S7 to CCM’s Octogun 85 flex, and the Easton felt much more flexy. I wonder if this is a kick point issue.
Anyway, I broke the S7 on the blade which seems to be common. I tried a few different sticks from my stockpile, picked up a new one, and I just had to have the S7 again. It is much lighter than the S5 and S3, and is still affordable at $80. Yes there are lighter sticks, but I am not good enough to get the benefits from them. I’m probably not good enough to get the benefits from the $80 one, but it sure does feel nice in my hands.
I’m using the Sakic pattern, on the Easton S7 intermediate 65 flex. I also tape the shaft to increase the grip along it for my bottom hand. Ever since I switched to Ice, I’ve had a hard time keeping a strong grip on my sticks. The tape helps.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Easton S19 Helmet Curiosity
I’ve always kind of watched the newest technologies that come out in hockey equipment. When I heard about the Easton S19 helmet, I really was curious because it was new, the recent problem of head shots in the NHL, and I’ve loved every Easton product I’ve had.
The S19 is the first one piece helmet. That’s right, there’s no adjusting to it, no screws, no nothing. Well – it does have a little adjustment in the back of it to tighten and loosen it, but only very little. The thing is damn impressive. It was light as hell, and there’s no give in it. I tried to crush it with my hands and it really didn’t budge. I tried that with a normal two piece helmet and was shocked how much you could move it in comparison.
I question how comfortable it will be. Because it is a helmet, and has very little in terms of adjustments, I have to imagine that there are going to be a lot of people who hate the thing. On the inside, the parts where it makes contact with the head, it has this tough little gel. I’m curious as to how it will perform in a game. Instead of the traditional foam that is inside the helmet, it is this strong black Styrofoam stuff.
At $170, it is difficult me to really want to pick it up, but I am excited about this. I think it is going to change how helmets are made. Once a few more are released, and problems are fixed, I will probably pick one of these up based on reviews.
More on the helmet:
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
HNA Practice - 2010-02-16
A few weeks ago I joined the HNA beginner's class. Based on what I had been told about it from friends and people who ran the league, it sounded like a solid step for me. I made the first two weeks, but I then missed two weeks (one for a Goaldiggers game, and then another for my lung).
When I look at the other 40 something players out there, I know they're all at about the same level as me and that really makes me feel better. I am more likely to talk to someone, or just be more outgoing.
Anyway, this week was a practice. It was probably what I should have done before I went into a full game like last night. It was very light paced to my tastes, but enough to really improve. It is clear that I need to improve on my skating. Crossovers are just not coming easy to me. Stopping is still a problem. I'd like to be a faster skater too. We also ran some drills passing to each other and taking shots on the goalie. My favorites were the 2 on 1s where I played defense. But I noticed I knew what to do, but I didn't do it. I think that's a common problem for me, doing what I know I should be doing.
We made three teams, and I volunteered to captain one of them, but someone else had already taken some of the responsibilities. Instead, I became an alternate. I'm looking forward to it. I think forcing myself to be a leader will not only help me be more vocal in games, but to build some confidence and social skills away from the ice which I admit aren't that strong.
When I look at the other 40 something players out there, I know they're all at about the same level as me and that really makes me feel better. I am more likely to talk to someone, or just be more outgoing.
Anyway, this week was a practice. It was probably what I should have done before I went into a full game like last night. It was very light paced to my tastes, but enough to really improve. It is clear that I need to improve on my skating. Crossovers are just not coming easy to me. Stopping is still a problem. I'd like to be a faster skater too. We also ran some drills passing to each other and taking shots on the goalie. My favorites were the 2 on 1s where I played defense. But I noticed I knew what to do, but I didn't do it. I think that's a common problem for me, doing what I know I should be doing.
We made three teams, and I volunteered to captain one of them, but someone else had already taken some of the responsibilities. Instead, I became an alternate. I'm looking forward to it. I think forcing myself to be a leader will not only help me be more vocal in games, but to build some confidence and social skills away from the ice which I admit aren't that strong.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Goaldiggers Game - 2010-02-15
It has been almost three weeks since I was on skates because of my lung. It is a real bummer when something like that happens because not only are you not playing, you're getting worse. Your conditioning goes away quickly, your timing is off, and you become really nervous because of it.
I go hard of every shift of every game I play. It is something I like to take pride in. Sometimes I think that I'm going a little bit too hard and I need to let the play come to me and develop. But part of the reason I do do it is conditioning. I know that if I do it multiple times a week, at the end I'll still be strong while others are winded. Today, I was the one who was winded and I didn't like it.
I definitely lost my timing out there. At one point I was wide open in the slot and I was fed a great pass that I completely missed. I think I played below average for me. I was a factor in most shifts though, so that is something to be positive about. There was one shift where I was so winded that I could not get off the ice. The puck came to me and I tried to just ice it but I dropped the puck and gave up another scoring chance. We still won 4-5, and it was the Goaldiggers first ever winning streak. I wasn't there for the first one.
Overall, it was a positive game just because I was back. Three weeks sitting around and doing nothing is bad for you. For me, a few things have gone wrong in my personal life and not being able to focus on hockey for an hour or two a week had really become a problem. Those issues away from the ice can eat away at you when you really cannot do anything about them. However, when you're on the ice, you're not worried about your job, or how you're going to make your next house payment, the health of a family member, or whatever may be on your mind. You're out there only having fun and keeping your head up. What a solid distraction and fun time away from reality.
I go hard of every shift of every game I play. It is something I like to take pride in. Sometimes I think that I'm going a little bit too hard and I need to let the play come to me and develop. But part of the reason I do do it is conditioning. I know that if I do it multiple times a week, at the end I'll still be strong while others are winded. Today, I was the one who was winded and I didn't like it.
I definitely lost my timing out there. At one point I was wide open in the slot and I was fed a great pass that I completely missed. I think I played below average for me. I was a factor in most shifts though, so that is something to be positive about. There was one shift where I was so winded that I could not get off the ice. The puck came to me and I tried to just ice it but I dropped the puck and gave up another scoring chance. We still won 4-5, and it was the Goaldiggers first ever winning streak. I wasn't there for the first one.
Overall, it was a positive game just because I was back. Three weeks sitting around and doing nothing is bad for you. For me, a few things have gone wrong in my personal life and not being able to focus on hockey for an hour or two a week had really become a problem. Those issues away from the ice can eat away at you when you really cannot do anything about them. However, when you're on the ice, you're not worried about your job, or how you're going to make your next house payment, the health of a family member, or whatever may be on your mind. You're out there only having fun and keeping your head up. What a solid distraction and fun time away from reality.
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