We might be saying the same thing, but I'd agree that 'flashy' isn't the key to winning, though coming up big when it counts most does matter. Making that last save or series of saves down the stretch when sphincters are tightest...primitiveskills wrote: ↑Tue May 12, 2020 3:46 pm Regarding the goalie situation, I'm not really interested in overall save percentage. Having a defense that gives up more savable than unsavable shots is the key to overall percentage. Our problem for a long time (with the exception of some of Schneider's time and Brock's senior year) is that we can't seem to find someone who can stop 12-15 yard shots with any kind of frequency/ reliability. Give me that guy; I don't care of he never makes a flashy "miracle" save on something in close.
If your defense eliminates nearly all good angle shots, ala Loyola's championship year, the key is maintaining sound, steady technique, reducing angles, keeping hands quiet and not getting the yips. Mostly mental. Staying steady. Certainly needn't be flashy.
But that's just the ideal situation of a shut down defense. What Hopkins (and most teams) has needed is not actually all that unusual, though definitely precious, tenders who play well when the action is hot and heavy. Guys who inspire their team. That's not necessarily flashy saves, but it IS the save on the last shot to preserve the 1 goal victory, or the turnaround flurry of saves that spark the 3rd or 4th Q to enable a run by the offense to come from behind. Those tenders give their team confidence that they can come back from behind and that they can hold down the stretch.
These guys do achieve 50+% overall against top competition despite being under a lot of pressure with defenses that sometimes break down. Games under 50% need to be rare, though not non-existent. Games above 60% not a novelty, but definitely not required on a steady basis.
So much of this, though, is mental...much more than the physical differences, though obviously there are some occasional unusual specimens who give shooters fits ala Rogers.
But mental toughness and true confidence (not cockiness) are key.
And that requires a state of mind that is focused on beating the competition, meeting the moment, not worrying about upsetting a coach or other failure.