10/18/2006Shooting Tip

Thanks to Rob Little for this one.
When you've got a breakaway (hey, it could happen!) try to do the following two things: (1) as you skate toward the net, get the puck off to your side in a ready shooting position -- if you only stickhandle as you approach the goal then the goalie knows you're gonna try to deke and he can hang back; (2) if possible, try to line up the puck in the center of the ice as you skate in for the shot. Having the puck (not your body) in the center gives you the best shooting angles and the greatest number of shooting options. Plus the goalie can't cheat to one side or the other if the puck is in the center of the ice.