Goalie's view of Speed Hockey?

[NLane]

I'd like to hear from goalies about the new Speed Hockey league. It seems there will be some injuries with a recessed net and crashing the net will take on a whole new meaning for fast skating forwards.

[RichardGraham]

Hi NLane,

Good question. I'll see if I can track down Rob Laurie and get his take on it. He is one of the goalies expected to participate. Rex Fontenot, the league's PR director, asked if I'd be interested in hosting chats on IHC with some of the league's players. Rob Laurie would be a great guy to do one with. Now I just have to figure out how to get IHC's Rink Raps chat function up to speed again. /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[rlrhky13]

Readin that Rich at least I see the league has more than 2 employees.. I think thats what is hurting MLRH the most is the fact that 2 guys are running the whole show it seems... There needs to be alot more advertising the league to get fans there... Up here where I live nobody that I have talked to even knew there was "pro" roller hockey in existance... When I tell people I played MLRH they have no clue what it is...

[RichardGraham]

Hi rlrhky13,

I think you make a good point.

By the way, I tested out the Rink Raps function and it worked for me. Can you try it out and see if it works for you? I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[yokes]

Well with the nets like that it looks like it will be harder on goalies due to the fact that a wrap around or dump is a shot on net. Also going side to side without bumping something with a little give could cause some injuries. But I also see breakaways being different, maybe slower due to the shorter turning ability, there wont be much deeking and going to the post unless you plan on going face to face with the wall afterward. I think it has its advantages and disadvantages but all in all it will be interesting.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[ggriffaw]

I don't know if there would be much as far as break aways anyway with how short the length of the court is. It will be hard for the players to get too far from each other.

I guess there will be alot of man on man play since I don't think they have any offsides.

[rlrhky13]

Hey Rich, I can't get in the rink raps section.. Its saying the Jave script doesn't match the certificate and I am behind a firewall so it automatically blocks me... I will keep trying though...

[missionhockey21]

I think the MLRH is very unadvertised even in peoples own towns.

[missionhockey21]

Thats some good perspective from a goalie. See when I heard about the idea I didnt take those facts into too much consideration. lol

[missionhockey21]

I kind of prefer watching a game with man to man D though.

[WMBG_GM]

Hey yokes, what do you think of the idea of being able to hit and be hit? as a goalie I mean... Also a big guy like you has a lot less net to cover in this, 3.5' x 5' thoughts?

After reading the rules posted on the speedhockey website I have a feeling this game, if given time for the players to figure it out, will play _very_ differently from what most of us view roller hockey to be. The recessed goal is certainly going to stop the goalie from being challenged head on so much. My guess is a shot from outside (aka "2 point line") leading to a scrum down low is going to be the typical order of play. Which makes me think that the goalie is going to get beat upon much more than one would typically expect.

Provided they do pull off the Eastern exhibition I'll give then my $10 to check out a game as it sounds as if it could be interesting based on the rules that are posted today.

Ben Loyall
GM/Owner
Williamsburg Warriors, MLRH AAA

[RichardGraham]

Hi rlrhky13,

Thanks for the heads up.

I think you MAY have to set up your firewall to allow you access to to the IHC Rink Raps Chat Room.

Anyone else have a similar problem?

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[yokes]

I like getting a little physical, it helps me stay in the game and I love contact and mixing it up, its fun to watch and participate in. I guess there is a little too much Hexy in me. Now obviously I dont want to go down to cover a puck and be hit like Kariya did, so there has to be a very defined line for contact with goalies.
The smaller net will have the advantages which are obvious especially someone bigger like myself. Im still not comfortable with the recessed nets especially after my injury but it might not be as bad as it seems. With the rink the way its set up angles will be different along with less ability to come out and challenge. With a smaller rink players are on you everytime they touch the puck, there will be no time to relax like when the puck is 180ft from me. With the close vicinity of all the players a goalies ability to challenge as much will be cut down significantly. Also with the boards being that way your own team can just turn and wrap it back to you if they feel trouble or want to back the play out, cutting down on the wondering goaltender. I definatly would like to check this out and if possible give it a try, it will be totally different from anything anybody has ever done and looks interesting to say the least.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[lguardbl]

another goaies pov- there will be lots of contact, goalies will need to handle the puck even more maybe even use a forwards stick and become more involved in the action, smaller goals =smaller pads, more manuverable goalies adding to the pace, offense and excitement of the game...bring it on.!!!!!

[drewski]

Yeah...but you go smaller goals, why use smaller pads? I'd just say go w/a 12" wide pad, add my size, and good luck scoring...Besides...why the hell would you even want to give a goalie a reg. stick? That seems ludicris to me...Takes away the purpose of a goalie.

Drewski Da Goalie /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

[yokes]

I would never want to purposelly play without my stick.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[hckygoalie31]

Honestly there's a lot of pros and cons to this. I'm thinking more cons than pros though. It's something that there'd have to be a HUGE transition. This is the way I see it:

Cons:

1. As Yokes said, someone dumps the puck in using the boards and you risk it hitting your pad or skate and it goes in. At the same time...Say someone "PRETENDS" to shoot it around the boards and you move to the post that the puck is coming to block it. That leaves half the net open for him to shoot it in from the point instead of wrapping it around. I know Eric Desjardins has done this before, pretending to wrap it around the boards and catching a goalie offguard and shooting it into a pretty open net.

2. Someone shoots wide, puck hits the boards, rebound hits your back or skates, rolls into the net. Pretty cheesey.

3. The recessed nets are injuries waiting to happen for any skater who smacks into the corner of these boards at full speed.

4. Smaller nets. I'm kinda stuck on the full sized. More of a challenge. Goalie equipment is too big for a regulation net as it is let alone a smaller net.

5. 3 minute penalties PLUS a penalty shot for a minor penalty???? I feel for the goalies on this one!

6. Smaller rink = more congestion, even if you're skating 3 guys...it's still more congestion with a rink that's only 85'X 85'

Pros:
1. Goalies can be checked. FINALLY someone who lets this happen! I think that any goalie that comes out of the crease should definitely be leveled like any other player.

2. No offsides. Nice touch. I play in leagues all over with no offsides rules and I like it. Plenty of shots and high scoring...especially when I'm goaltending!

3. Smaller rink. Players won't get tired out as quickly skating in warm rinks.

4. As Yokes said, Don't expect many breakaway dekes. Someone would have to be pretty nuts to skate full speed ahead and try to deke a goalie. Unless they're going from East to West on the goalie...or if he can stop on a dime going North to South. That being said...you're going to see more players shooting from way above the crease (Probably between the 2 point line and crease) so they can peel away from the boards instead of crashing into them.
Advantage: GOALIE

That's my opinion anyway...

[MDE3]

Great and thoughtfull post!!