A hockey goal is the point at which you decide that your team has won the match. You can score a goal in many different ways but there are only three ways to score a winning goal in hockey:
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Shoot The Puck Into The Net
The first and most obvious way to score a goal is to shoot the puck into the net. There are no misses with this type of shot since the goalie cannot stop it. It can also be a game-winning goal if the puck is on a line with the goal or even if it’s just a little high and the goalie has to dive to reach it.
A well-executed shot like this one will make you a hero among your friends for having shown such grit and determination. People who love hockey will also praise your name for this fantastic shot since it’s so difficult to achieve. The important thing to keep in mind when executing this type of shot is to shoot hard and fast and not to overthink things. Remember: faster is generally better when it comes to ice hockey.
There is also a saying in hockey that if you can’t beat ’em, shoot ’em. The same logic applies here: if you can’t put the puck in the net, shoot the goalie. This is especially true if you have a good chance of scoring a goal. However, this type of shot also has its downsides. For example, sometimes the goalie might block the shot despite not having any skates on. In this case, you’ll have to re-shoot the puck or pass it to a teammate.
Rescue The Puck
Sometimes you just need to take a break from playing hockey and come back with a bang. If your team has committed a few fouls in the neutral zone and the other team is in the middle of a 4-on-4 rush, you can attempt to retrieve the puck. If you can catch the puck, you’ll be able to return it to the ice easily without any hindrance. This brings us to our next point.
Pick Up The Puck From The Backhand
If you’re in the middle of a rush and another player collides with you, you can generally take a penalty shot by picking up the puck with your backhand. This shot is generally saved for situations like these since the goalie cannot predict where the puck is going to be and it would be unfair to ask him to block the shot from behind. This isn’t a perfect technique either since it requires precise timing and it’s easier for the goalie to stop the puck if he’s standing in front of it. However, this type of shot has the advantage of being unpredictable and it might just give you the winning goal needed for the win.
Even the most skilled hockey players occasionally need a pat on the back from time to time so it’s not a bad idea to look for ways to score a goal when your team is in desperate need of one. It might not always be possible to beat the other team with a lucky shot so you can at least try to beat them by surprising them with a goal of your own.
Block The Goalie’s View
While we’re on the topic of scoring goals, we should also mention that sometimes it’s better for the goalie to have a clear view of the puck instead of having it obstructed by players. There’s no saying when or where a goalie’s sight line will be but it generally goes something like this:
If you’re on the right side of the net, your goalie will have a clear view of the puck so it’s preferable to be there rather than on the other side. The same logic applies if you’re on the left side of the net but if you’re on the right side and the goalie is on the left, it’s preferable for him to have a clear view of the puck. Basically, the goalie needs to have the best view of the puck in order to properly defend it. There is also a saying in hockey that if you can’t see the puck, you can’t stop the puck.
Whether you score the goal by shooting it into the net, picking it up from the backhand or block the goalie’s view, there is no wrong way to score as long as you score. The only thing that matters is that you score and your team wins.