CBC-Sports

Shootout a game of cat and mouse

November 25, 2009 08:40 PM | Posted by   Kevin Weekes  

The shootout. At times, it's one of the most compelling endings in sports, and the fans are almost always on the edge of their seats.

Jussi Jokkinen is the Mr. Shootout of all shooters in the 'National'! He's scored the most goals - 36, to be precise - since the inception of the shootout in 2005.

Talk about a player adding extra value to his team.

Shooters typically have their "bread and butter" move, and a "B" and "C" move as well.

Most guys will use that go-to move because of comfort and muscle memory, which comes from repetition and past success, but the "B" and "C" moves are likely to come if the goalie gives the shooter a different look. For instance, a goalie might have his glove angled high to create the illusion of the top shelf being closed or he might shade or cheat his angle to the side he knows the shooter likes to go to.

As a goalie, I liked coming out beyond the top of the crease and retreating at the exact same speed as the shooter. That way, he was never able to use his speed or tempo to his advantage.

You may have noticed some goalies are becoming more aggressive with their sticks and poke-checking more. Evgeni Nabokov in San Jose uses it the most. Johnny Bower must be smiling each time he sees that.

Smart goalies adjust accordingly

Smart goalies will usually know the shooters' tendencies and adjust accordingly. This is where a team's video coach earns his tips and NHL On The Fly is also worth the cost of subscription - trust me on both!

The shootout is different than a breakaway in a game, where there's usually a backchecker. The shootout affords the shooter the luxury of time and the goalie with the knowledge that he's on his own, with nobody coming to the rescue.

The bottom line for both: make it or miss it, just like a putt or a jump shot, it's a great way to win but a terrible way to lose.

This is nothing more than a game of cat and mouse between a goalie and a shooter, but remember there was a fantastic goalie nicknamed 'The Cat' and I don't recall any great shooters ever called 'The Mouse'!

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