The sound of a speeding puck hitting the wall is one of the most terrifying noises in sports (if you’re not a goalie, that is). The feeling of watching a perfectly placed shot go off the back of the net and into the arms of the goalie is something that resonates with anyone who’s ever laced up in hockey gear.
While hockey is a truly exciting game to watch, it’s also incredibly stressful for fans of the blue jersey. That’s because even the most skilled goalies can’t always stop all the shots that are coming their way. This article will tell you about some simple ways to protect your wall from hockey pucks.
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Install A Urethane Ice Hockey Net
The first line of defense against pucks is an urethane ice hockey net. This type of net protects the goalie and the front of the net, allowing them to work more comfortably. They also soften the blow of the puck, spreading the impact across a larger area.
Urethane ice hockey nets are designed to withstand the force of a slap shot or a hard hit from behind, so they’re often fortified with steel or fiberglass ribs. In order to stop a puck, the net will need to be lowered and the puck will either have to pass through or be deflected away. When the net is lowered, it creates a less obstructed playing field for the goalie, as well as encourages more shots on goal.
Use Blocking Pucks
If you’re having trouble keeping pucks out of your goal, try using blocking pucks. These are small metal or plastic devices that you stick in the ice in front of the net. A blocking puck will not only prevent a goal but also stop a quick shot from reaching your net.
Just like in the case of an urethane ice hockey net, blocking pucks are there to soften the blow of a direct hit by a puck, preventing it from hurting the goalie and the wall behind them. To prevent the puck from entering the net, the goalie will need to drop down and squeeze between the goal posts to grab the puck before it rolls into the net. After stopping a puck, the blocker will need to be retrieved by a member of the team to prevent it from being stepped on or kicked around by players in the future.
Consider Installing Plastic Tires
An advantage of using tires is that they’re designed to prevent pucks from entering the net. This is especially useful for goalies who are behind the cage or in the corners where it’s harder for them to see pucks coming their way. The key is in the positioning of the tires. A set of plastic tires is usually placed just below the level where the top of the cage meets the wall. This position isolates the goalie from any damage while also creating a funnel for the puck to travel through. Once the puck enters the funnel, it’s easily caught by the goalie.
The downside of plastic tires is that they deteriorate over time and need to be replaced. This can be a hassle if you’re not equipped to do so. In addition, there’s always the chance that one of the tires will get misplaced, rendering the goalie completely defenseless.
Play In An Arena
If you play in an arena, especially one that’s not equipped for ice hockey, then playing on a frozen surface isn’t an option for you. This is why the majority of nets are located in the basement or in an unheated area outside the building. In these cases, it’s imperative that the wall is protected, especially if you’re not aware of how fast ice can become when it gets wet and cold.
Playing on an arena ice surface isn’t ideal for any sport. That’s because the ice doesn’t stay frozen for very long, meaning that it needs to be replaced often. This is certainly an added expense for the team, even if it’s covered under their insurance policy. In the long term, this can become problematic, particularly if the replacement costs add up and make up a significant portion of the team’s budget. This is why it’s crucial that the wall is protected, so that expensive repairs don’t become a regular occurrence.
Use A Decorative Theme For Your Baseboard
When the team is done playing, it’s important to protect the wall and the ice in their home arena. To achieve this, you can use a decorative theme for the baseboard near the wall. This will help keep track of where the wall is located during play and after the game, as well as provide a decorative element that will make the room look more refined and professional.
The key is in the theme you choose for your baseboard. If you want to keep up with the latest trends, then a hockey baseboard with a design that incorporates the colors and patterns associated with the sport can be a good investment. If you’re looking to keep things simple, there are plenty of traditional options available, like stripes or a checkerboard pattern for the baseboards.
Install Crown Molding Around The Ceiling
Crown molding is a decorative element that can be used around the ceiling, helping to create a refined and luxurious appearance. It’s frequently used in homes and restaurants to showcase elegant décor and create a sense of luxury.
It should come as no surprise that crown molding has become so popular, as it provides a finishing touch that can be easily customized to fit any décor style. It’s a good choice for anyone who wants a simple yet elegant way to highlight a room’s features and overall feel.
Make Sure That The Ceiling Is High Enough
The height of the ceiling should be adjusted so that it’s at least as high as the tallest player on your team. In this way, the goalie has enough room to operate comfortably while also allowing him to see everything that’s going on. Too often, goalies have trouble seeing things clearly because of poor sightlines, leading to poor decision-making and bad plays. By keeping the ceiling high enough, the odds of making these sorts of mistakes decline significantly.
The only thing worse than watching a goal get knocked down by the wind is watching it get there because the goalie couldn’t see it. This is why it’s essential that the ceiling is high enough so that the goalie can easily see all the action and make the correct decision. In most cases, this will mean that the ceiling needs to be at least 8 feet tall.
Secure The Door That Leads To The Basement
The last thing anyone wants after a long day of work or school is to return home to find that the door to their basement (or other unheated area) has been left open. Imagine the embarrassment if this happens to you when you’ve been drinking or if there are other people in the house, particularly if it’s the middle of the night.
It’s easy enough to fix this problem by simply securing the door with a padlock or by wiring it so it can only be opened from the inside. This will help prevent any accidents that could occur if the door is left open due to lack of awareness or negligence.
Of course, this sort of padding isn’t just reserved for doors that lead to the basement or other areas where it’s cold. It can be used around any area where there’s a high risk of harm due to falling objects or rough play, like near the ice resurface or in the corners where there’s no wall for protection. This will help prevent injuries to the goalie or others inside the home or workplace due to accidents caused by falls or collision with other players or equipment.
Use Duct Tape To Hold Down Tarps And Mats
It shouldn’t come as a great surprise that many hockey players use duct tape to hold down their hockey tarps and other playing equipment. This is because it’s easy to use, comfortable, and breathable material that does a good job keeping the player’s extremities dry and protected from the elements. It also stops most of the sharp objects from damaging the delicate parts of the equipment.
This type of tape is also ideal for sealing and masking off areas of the wall or other surfaces where it’s not desirable for paint or other surface treatments to be used. A common example of this would be the net post area or other surfaces around the rink that need to stay uncluttered during play or team photos.
Play In A Barn
Barns were originally built for animals, but these days they’re frequently used to store and display items such as art, tools, or other equipment. If you live in a colder climate, then playing in a barn is a common choice for hockey teams, as it provides the players with some needed warmth during the winter months.