Random goalie question

Most often when a goalie gets back to his crease, after the ice has been cut, he proceedes to slide the edges of his skate blades back and forth to roughen up the crease area. (I know it's not the edges, more like...the hollow for all you hockey skate purists.)

I've played winger in all my time playing ice hockey, so I never knew why they do that.

Is it a feel thing for goalies? Does this help them push off to get from post to post (This is what I assumed)? Does this actually slow the puck down as it slides near the goal mouth?

Or is it purely a mental thing for goalies?

:umm:

It's to slow down their lateral slide move.

Plus slow down stray pucks which find their way into the crease.

So it was explained to me. I wouldn't know the dynamics personally because my hockey experience is roller/inline.

For me it's to slow down my slide, just like Jer said. I also do it to get the legs warmed up and ready. Not that it helps me stop any more pucks. :bad:

Thanks guys

Yea, it's like they say.... it helps slow the slide and provide more "Grip" for the let pads as opposed to when the ice is freshly cut... and in some cases the puck when it is in the crease sits better and slides less.

Better grip when in the butterfly. I never really understood why until I butterflied on fresh ice and almost tore my groin muscles to shreds.

The ice shavings in the corners helps to stop the puck from sneaking in a bit too.

I just make a big ol mound/wall in front with my shavings. then I peer out like the germans did in their bunkers at normandy with my MG-42 waiting on shooters from the other team to try to breach my wall!

Will agree here...more grip in general. Without it, a hard push on fresh ice...well...you look foolish.