My new found respect for Goaltenders...

[AngryKing]

Our weekly pickup game went on as usual, but this week I decided I wanted something different. I wanted to play goalie. It was my first time ever trying and it's not as hard as it looks. It's HARDER! I strapped on all the goalie gear I had purchased for $85 on eBay and went at it. Shot after shot, and goal after goal scored on me, there was nothing I could do to stop the blood bath. Ask Unruley. She was there. Laughing, probably. I couldn't figure out where the shooter was going to shoot the puck. Every time I'd drop, the puck would go up. Every time I decided to stay upright, the shooter went 5 hole. I couldn't win.

After it was all said and done, I probably gave up 20+ goals during a pickup game and had about 4 saves... only cause the shots hit me in the chest, arm, or face.

So, next time you're yelling at one of the Kings' goaltenders to stop imitating swiss cheese, ask youself if you could do better. Last night proved I can't.

[UnholyGoalie]

Thank you! If you're like me, then you fell in love with the position within a few minutes. If you didn't, well I guess that makes you "normal".

[taz42]

I don't think a person needs to be a goalie to recognize good ones from the bad ones. Just watching other teams is a pretty good way of judging them compared to what the Kings have in the crease.

[HrudeyRules]

LOL!!! Good for you for trying...BTW, goalie gear for $85? That is a good deal!

Funny...I play goal and love it...and to add to it...some nights I literally feel like a wall and play like one. Other nights I have a hard timing stopping pucks. It just such a high concentration position that anything can throw you off your game.

[AngryKing]

Originally Posted by UnholyGoalie

Thank you! If you're like me, then you fell in love with the position within a few minutes. If you didn't, well I guess that makes you "normal".

The first 1/2 hour was fun. But after that, I was tired and had no confidence what so ever. I might as well had a fork in me.

[Brodeur]

Welcome to the goalie club! Definitely takes practice as I'm guessing you were basically freestyling out there. Took me about two years into my foray into goaltending to become comfortable with the butterfly. Basically if you play the angles correctly, the butterfly is good to make the shooter pick a corner. And getting used to the recovery time from going down and getting back into your stance is another thing that takes practice. A lot of guys just wouldn't be used to going down to make a save and then getting back up with bulky equipment and getting square for the next shot.

But hopefully you had fun, like most things, goaltending won't be something you'll be good at right away. I still suck and it's been like 5 years =)

[Unruely35]

Yes, I laughed.

Mostly because the $85 pads completely lied and were really closer to junior sizing. Put that on a 6'4' guy and you'd be laughing, too.

Give yourself more credit. You played well for a first timer. Made some saves that you shouldnt have been able to stop. Wicked tiny little glove.

[JEEPKING]

Originally Posted by AngryKing

The first 1/2 hour was fun. But after that, I was tired and had no confidence what so ever. I might as well had a fork in me.

Dan Cloutier??

[Bogey Man]

Was that on ice or roller?

[Unruely35]

does it matter?


*waits*

[Bogey Man]

Originally Posted by Unruely35

does it matter?


*waits*

Yes

[nosoupforyou]

you get used to it haha - the first time I played I had motocross shin guards, a first basemans mitt, a mylec stick, and a catcher's chest protector on hahaha.

then I graduated up to mylec leg pads and never looked back.

of course, eating more helps, or wearing oversized equipment like Giggy ;-). and I still can't skate worth a lick.

if you enjoyed it, keep it up!