Carlos Siso and the Calvin Knights clinched the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Tournament title on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Grand Valley State University in the championship final! This marks the first time Calvin has won the GRSHOF Tournament, now in its third year.
Daniel Siso, Carlos' younger brother and an EGC summer shooter, opened the scoring just nine minutes into the first period.
Congratulations to both brothers on this fantastic achievement!
In the latest ISD video-call session, Justin and nostr:nprofile1qqsg678njqapkuyvwa5kup7j7jgxteujhqcgy4ne4ajsxy7z6v3nxuqpzemhxue69uhkummnw3ex2mrfw3jhxtn0wfnj7qfpwaehxw309aex2mrp0yhxcetcd9hxwar0de3xjarrda5kutn0wfnj7qgewaehxw309amk7apwwd6kgmmrv9excmmn9e3k7mf00u8nqq discussed the week's on-ice focus: battling and competing. While we often emphasize developing efficiency and effectiveness, there are moments in a game—whether due to our own mistakes or circumstances beyond our control—where goalies must step out of their comfort zones to make a save. This is the essence of Battle & Compete Day.
In such situations, goalies must master three critical areas: mental, technical, and tactical.
Mental Focus
Goalies need an unyielding mentality: no matter what, they must stop the puck. This means refusing to let a bad situation dictate whether a goal is scored. This drive comes from the heart—a relentless determination to do whatever it takes to keep the puck out of the net. Without this mindset, goalies cannot thrive in challenging situations.
Technical Execution
We examined two specific scenarios during the session:
When the puck is behind the goaltender
In these moments, the way a goalie moves through their crease to regain coverage differs significantly from when the puck is in front. This is where the "fall-back" technique comes into play—a skill Adin Hill has mastered. Think of "The Save" from Game 1 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals against the Florida Panthers. It’s a prime example of this technique in action.
https://video.nostr.build/e0b062578b8928794362b634cbebe0882d91499e1b5880b874bc2585a8c0e7ca.mp4
When the puck is in front of the goaltender, but they are behind the play
In such scenarios, the "spread" technique becomes essential. This technique maximizes lateral coverage while enabling the goalie to use their hands effectively to smother pucks that might otherwise elevate over them. Both Adin Hill and Logan Thompson are excellent examples of goalies adept at this approach.
Tactical Awareness
Lastly, we discussed the tactical aspects of these techniques. While understanding the need for the fall-back or spread techniques is crucial, knowing when to execute them is equally important. For instance, falling back too early or too late leaves the goaltender highly vulnerable. Proper timing, combined with precise technical execution, is the key to success in these high-pressure moments.
Congratulations to goaltender Ben Polhill, who has been named the Bruins’ Player of the Month for November, presented by Domino’s Estevan!
Polhill was a cornerstone for the team throughout the month, starting in eight of the Bruins’ 10 games and leading them to a 4-3-1 record. He posted an impressive 3.00 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage during this stretch!
Daniel Hauser, goaltender for the Wenatchee Wild, secured two impressive wins this weekend.
On Friday the 13th, Hauser delivered a stellar performance against the Everett Silvertips, stopping 38 of 40 shots and earning first-star honors.
The following night, he was equally dominant against the Kelowna Rockets, making 40 saves on 41 shots to claim his 7th win of the season.
After earning his first shutout of the season, Mackie Strachan continues to shine, securing a 3-2 victory against the Foothills Bisons despite his team being outshot 29-15.
The U18 AA Okotoks Oilers goaltender has had an outstanding December, consistently being a difference-maker in every game.
Marek Schlenker delivered outstanding performances in both games this week.
On Wednesday, the WHL rookie led his team to a 4-3 victory over the Everett Silvertips, stopping 48 of 51 shots. He earned second-star honors and was named the WHL Top Performer of the Night.
Last night, Schlenker and the Portland Winterhawks faced the Seattle Thunderbirds, securing a 5-2 win with Schlenker making 30 saves on 32 shots.
Congratulations to Logan Bond on earning his first shutout of the season!
The CBHA U18AA Rangers goaltender took on the Red Deer Elks U18AA team last Sunday, stopping all 36 shots he faced to secure a 6-0 victory for his team.
3 Takeaways From Capitals’ Record-Setting Road Win Over the Maple Leafs https://ift.tt/ueUzNCY
#NHL #THW
LT doing what he does best... Stopping biscuits and winning games.
Adin Hill named to Canada's Frozen Four roster! #TeamEGC
Congratulations to Ben Polhill on earning his first shutout of the season—and the first of his junior hockey career!
In a thrilling game, the SJHL Estevan Bruins edged the Battlefords North Stars 1-0 in overtime, with Ben turning aside all 30 shots he faced.
Polhill capped off an outstanding weekend with back-to-back wins, boasting a 1.00 GAA and a .969 save percentage across both games.
Way to go, Benny!
Princeton Posse goaltender Gibson Horne has been named this week’s Young Guns selection after an impressive 27-save shutout performance against the Kamloops Storm.
Horne backstopped the Posse to a commanding 7-0 victory, marking his second shutout of the season. Posse head coach and general manager Torrin White praised the Lac Des Arcs, Alta., native for earning the “full trust of his teammates” through his daily dedication and professionalism.
“He’s an outstanding goalie with immense potential, but it’s his preparation that sets him apart,” said White. “In that game, he faced a solid number of shots and was absolutely rock solid.”
Horne has been stellar this season, earning seven wins in 10 games with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage—both of which rank second among all KIJHL goaltenders.
Rock on Gibby, keep it up!
Cole Prelusky was unstoppable at the Island Classic U18 Prep Tournament last weekend.
Leading all goaltenders with a .958 save percentage, Cole’s stellar performance earned him a well-deserved spot on the All-Star Team.
Good work Cole! We look forward to seeing you in the Circle K next month in Calgary!
We don't shitcoin, sorry bot.
Logan Thompson building strong case for Team Canada ‘dream’ at 4 Nations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There are dark horses.
There are long shots.
And then there is Logan Thompson, a goaltender of no pedigree swiftly building his case to represent his country in best-on-best hockey.
Not only was Thompson passed over in the NHL Draft after four seasons in the WHL, his first taste of pro hockey arrived only after a full season at Brock University, when he made good on an amateur tryout with the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder.
The Calgary native got struck from the Thunder’s roster after eight appearances.
He then inked a Professional Try-Out with the Binghamton Devils only to get dropped after allowing five goals in his AHL debut.
His first legit pro contract, with the AHL Hershey Bears in 2019-20, did result in a full season’s worth of paid work — down in the ECHL, where he rode the South Carolina Stingrays' bus.
From these humble beginnings has sprung an All-Star Game representative, a Stanley Cup champion, a guy confident enough to request a trade away from a contender, and — surprise — a candidate for Canada’s crease.
“I thought making the NHL was really farfetched for me. And now hearing my name involved with Team Canada, I never really thought that was ever going to be a thing. So, I'm just happy to be in that discussion. I guess we’ll see,” the upbeat Thompson said in a recent sit-down with Sportsnet.ca.
“Every kid dreams about representing his country. And I’d be happy to be there at any role they’d want me to be. Whether that’s practice goalie, backup, or playing games, I would just be very honoured.”
Think about it, Don Sweeney. Your 4 Nations Face-Off roster is due two weeks from today.
Thompson, who did win a silver medal with Canada at the 2022 world hockey championship, is off to the best start of any goalie in the 50-year history of the Washington Capitals.
Standing Tall: Isaac Leads to Stunning Victory
Mount Academy's U17/16U AAA team faced off against the top-ranked Boston Academy 16U AAA this weekend in Exeter, NH, with Isaac Hachey between the pipes.
In what was anticipated to be a challenging matchup, Isaac delivered a masterclass performance, stopping 34 of 35 shots and leading his team to an impressive 3-1 upset victory.
The lone goal against him came on a well-screened one-timer in the first period. After Mount Academy tied it up later in the first, Isaac stood tall, shutting down Boston's offense until his team netted the game-winning goal late in the third period.
A truly stellar showing in a high-stakes game!
Nice work Isaac, keep it up!
