Had back to back games on Saturday night. My teams game first then filling in for the grade above straight after the ice cut.
I've figured out how to slide around better, it's not perfect as it's not really side to side, it's backwards on a slight angle, but it feels so awesome just pushing off and sliding into the post and back again to the other side. I've also worked on watching the puck into my glove with it out in front of me, it's such a mental confidence boost. I actually felt like I've hit the next level in my abilities.
In my first game we won 3-1 and we were out shot 26/12 including a 13/5 3rd period where I held the fort. Their only goal was a breakaway blocker side shot in the second period. it's almost like they were determined to score high glove, but it wasn't happening. Every shot was tracked perfectly into the glove and snapped shut. I now no longer have the worse save % in the league (by .007) but I have to play the top team in the league again next week and they've put up 7 & 6 on me earlier on.
The next game was a grade above and it was the 2nd place team vs the 4th place team (my team). we had 7 guys turn up and the first shot was a slapper from the point that beat me blocker side. I could hear my team groaning at me as I should have stopped it but I didn't let it faze me and held out the 1st, then most of the second before I got beat by another breakaway, I did the pokecheck, and knocked it off him, but my D was nowhere to be seen and he got it back and went around me and put it in.
3rd period saw us up by 3-2 with 6 mins left and then one of our guys gets a 5+ and a game! we were shorthanded for the rest of the game and had 1 sub. We got outshot 14/3 in the 3rd and they scored 2 PP goals (one was another breakaway blocker side shot) so we lost 4-3.
Even though we lost I was ******* stoked about how I played, 58 shots 5 goals for the night and I actually ended up with the guys asking if I'd be keen to fill in for them again if needed!
I've got back to back games next week so hopefully I do't come crashing down, but I really feel like i'm seeing myself improve. I know there's gonna be another skill wall to hit shortly but i'm happy with my progress.
No video yet for these as the lady put it in a stupid position on our bench facing our goal so its quite far away and lots of heads in the way.