A very strong start for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers as they beat the Providence Bruins 4 - 2 for the BST home opener.
Kevin Poulin in net again for Bridgeport and Nino Niederreiter gets his second AHL goal in his second AHL game. I don't believe Nino really suffered in the NHL last season. Perhaps he has learned what he really needs to do in order to win. The NHL taught him humility, that he wasn't the best player on the team. The AHL will teach him, he's still not the best player on the team, but he will make the impact they need to win. And that may be the greatest lesson he can learn.
Speaking of 'learning,' tomorrow General Manager Garth Snow will be running a goalie clinic at Ice Works. After seeing the game tonight at UNH, I realized that goalies are all the same -- craqzy. And it is the toughest position on the ice. Whether you're talking pee wee or pro, it doesn't matter.
So I asked Mr. Snow a few questions about tomorrow.
1) What's the most important lesson you will try to teach the kids:
A) I introduce the goalies to more efficient techniques that will help them keep the puck out of their net. The other important lesson is to let them know it takes hard work & mental discipline to be a successful goaltender.
That mental discipline doesn't come easy. Especially when they watch a puck go by them and into the net.
2) How hard is it to keep a game loss from hurting the confidence of a young goalie?
A) I always emphasize to learn from the loss, correct the mistakes and park it.
Watch how often you will see a goal tender talk to himself after letting up a goal.
3) How do you teach youngsters to become unafraid of getting hit with the puck?
A) Through confidence in being outfitted in the proper equipment.
As a mother, I don't care how much equipment they have on, I'd be nervous. One too many pucks ring off that helmet and I'd be buying golf clubs instead of hockey equipment.
4) How dangerous is it to have a puck ring off a helmet?
A) It depends who’s shooting the puck!
I guess it does Mr. Snow. I guess it does.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»