Archive for December, 2010
Desjardins’ NHL Debut A Huge Success
Dec 31st
When the Tampa Bay Lightning recalled Cedrick Desjardins on December 20, their goal was to provide him with an opportunity to absorb the team’s day-to-day routine. It was also a perfect chance for him to work with Lightning goalie coach Frantz Jean during the AHL’s holiday break. But during Cedrick’s first day of practice, Mike Smith suffered a knee injury and was sidelined indefinitely. That allowed Desjardins to back up Dan Ellis for a few games until the stars aligned and the Montreal Canadiens strolled into town.
Osgood’s 400th Win A Career Microcosm
Dec 28th
As a goaltender and in many walks of life, a young man’s deeds becomes an old man’s wisdom.
I remember the very first time I watched Chris Osgood play a playoff game in the NHL. It aired on ESPN2 and featured the Detroit Red Wings against the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of the 1994 Western Conference Quarterfinals. With the game tied 3-3 late in the third period, Osgood went to clear a puck around the boards, but it landed on Jamie Baker’s stick and ended up in the back of Osgood’s net.
Lawson’s Debut Soured in the Shootout
Dec 19th
In his fourth season as a pro, 27-year-old Islanders prospect Nathan Lawson was unexpectedly offered his NHL debut in Saturday night’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes. With Rick DiPietro suffering from some swelling in his knee, Lawson was recalled on an emergency basis Saturday morning and got the call over Dwayne Roloson.
Brent Johnson’s Winter Classic Mask
Dec 18th
World-renowned goalie mask artist David Arrigo has been quite the busy guy this month. With the NHL’s awe-inspiring 2011 Winter Classic exactly two weeks away, Arrigo recently finished painting the official game mask for Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson. At the same time, he has also embarked on an airbrushing adventure unlike any other – painting the world’s largest goalie mask. Don’t believe us? Check out Arrigo’s Facebook page for updates on his progress.
How to Mend and Mold Steve Mason
Dec 17th
If you take a close look at Steve Mason’s last three games for the Blue Jackets, you will find that they act as a perfect microcosm of his season and his career. His play in each of them also reveals much of the same images I saw last year during his abysmal sophomore season. As such, Mason has shown me that his game still lacks a crucial element needed to succeed in the NHL – consistency.
Mental Training: Jon Quick Analysis
Dec 15th
For this week’s article I had many topics in mind, but after watching Jonathan Quick versus the Minnesota Wild last Saturday, I knew I had to write about him. Quick, like all goaltenders at the National Hockey League level, is an elite goaltender. I love watching Quick because he is such an exciting goaltender. Yet Quick is not without a very alarming weakness – his mental game.
Nabokov Still Belongs in the NHL
Dec 14th
On Monday afternoon, reports filtered through that Evgeni Nabokov had terminated his Continental Hockey League (KHL) contract with HC SKA St. Petersburg due to what was called “family circumstances” or personal reasons. Because the contract was mutually ended by both sides, Nabokov will not receive the remainder of his four-year, $24-million salary. And since he played games for another league in Europe, he must clear waivers in order to play in the NHL again.
Top-10 Mask Designs for 2010-11
Dec 9th
With less than one month to go in our Medieval Mask Design Contest III, I thought it’d be a great opportunity to get the creative juices flowing by ranking the Top-10 goalie masks of the NHL this season! Besides, who doesn’t like lists about goalie masks?
School of Block: The Crawford Conundrum
Dec 7th
With Corey Crawford’s sixth straight win on Sunday night against the feeble Calgary Flames, the Chicago Blackhawks are very close to having a controversy on their hands. And although there are many ways the Blackhawks can handle their goalies in a positive manner moving forward, many questions surround both Crawford and Marty Turco’s short and long-term fantasy value.
The Science of Shadowing
Dec 2nd
The goaltender’s evolution is a continuous progression of their vision.
Regardless of when or where, an NHL goaltender always has crystal clear picture of their short and long-term goals. Whether it is practicing and then studying video with the goalie coach, personally reflecting on past performances or just discussing things with their counterpart, improvements on a macro and micro level are constantly being made.