Between the Pipes

A foray in goaltending, athletics and development

Antti Niemi demonstrates the bob'n'weave

Ex-zamboni driver and Sharks star-goalie, Antti Niemi, gives a perfect example of "fighting through a screen" with the bob'n'weave style to keep his eyes on the puck for as long as possible.  His extended look at the puck while it is moving and even after the shot was released, allows him to position his glove perfectly in line with shot's trajectory.  This great glove save, via hand discipline and not reactions, is made all the more special since he had to lose sight of the puck for a split second while it was on its way to the net.

I don't think, as an instructor, could have hoped to find a better example of fighting through a screen like this.  Niemi shows great battle skills and upper body flexibility and mobility, all the while keeping his feet straddling the shot line and his body on angle for the entire video.  He is a big man and, even though he is well known for his flexibility, he shows off how low one must crouch to maximize his torso range during the bob'n'weave.  

As an aside about this goalie, even after Niemi won the Stanley Cup, I was pretty sure that Chicago did the right thing in not signing him to a high-value, long-term contract as I didn't really think he had the skills of a starter in the NHL.  I'm eating my words...

 

NHLTodd Bengertadvice, elite