The Bowdoin College Polar Bears had dominated the first period of their men’s ice hockey game against archrival Colby College several years ago but despite a lopsided shots-on-goal margin, they found themselves trailing 1-0.
But Bowdoin found the net in the second and third periods and left Colby’s Alfond Arena in Waterville with an impressive win.
What did Bowdoin College coach Terry Meagher tell his troops between periods? He told them to shoot at the goalie’s pads.
The rationale was that if you hit the goalie’s pads, there was likely to be a rebound.
Or you might catch the goalie moving and sneak one between his pads.
Another possibility was you might miss the pads but still find the net.
The University of Maine men’s hockey team is having a major problem scoring goals.
Perhaps shooting at the goalie’s pads could help them snap out of their slump (six goals in five games).
But they will also need to attack the net so if a rebound occurs, they’re in position to pop home the rebound.
There was once a prominent high school hockey coach in Minnesota who preached that he wanted his team to get at least 40 shots on goal every game. He didn’t care where they shot from.
That’s also good advice, although there are times you need to be a little selective.
However, that being said, Maine fans will always remember sniper Colin Shields.
Nobody scored more off-angle goals than Shields. As soon as he reached the puck in the offensive zone, he threw a low shot on goal. He’d catch goalies off guard.
The key was a quick release and his accuracy — something that could also help the Black Bears.
Some of the NHL’s greatest goal scorers didn’t have great shots. But they did have quick releases and accurate shots.
As for Maine’s 0-for-26 power play, the key is movement off the puck and getting pucks on net as soon as they can find a shooting lane.
You need to keep moving to establish a shooting lane and once you get the puck, let ’er rip.
Maine’s power-play players have been stationary when they move the puck and that makes them easy to cover.
A new coach could also help the anemic bears.
Seems like the players would know to shoot at the goal by this point, no?
..and so could employing the fairy princess.
MaHomey, It’s time for you to write a real article.
You remind me of an employee who has been at the same company for 20+ years and does whatever they tell you because you are afraid to lose your job!
Please just this once step up like you ask the players to step up.
I like how Timmy the $190k/year state employee tells you and Dan in the pregame chat that faking a shot and passing to the open man on the weak side would be a good idea.
Tim, your system calls for outnumbering the opponent on the puck at all times. There is NEVER an open man on the weak side.
Did you NOT notice how your guys pass and then follow the puck, while St. Lawrence had a guy crashing the net and is able to tap in/ redirect pucks right behind your D and goalies?
I have never know what Whitehead is watching, nor do I understand why he will not listen to the things that his assistants/associates/water boys tell him. Sorry to call Bob and Dan water boys, but when they are not allowed to contribute, they are not really coaches.
anyhow… it is sad that Maine games are selling about 300o fewer tickets per game nowadays after Tim gets a gargantuan pay increase. How is this even legal in a state where the infrastructure is falling apart?
the people of the great state of Maine have got to start questioning whether sports should take precedence over whether or not Dunn and Corbett should be allowed to rot. (take a look at the exterior woodwork and tell me that those buildings should be in the shape that hey are in when the hockey coaching staff is paid over $400,000 a year.