Is the following play a dirty play?

[Jason Harris 31]

I'm just curious what people think of an event that occurred tonight, since it lead to different opinions at the bar afterward.

I skate in a drop-in in which one guy rents the ice and we pay him. Overall, there's been a core group of guys for six or seven years and the guy who runs it always reminds everyone that he doesn't want rough stuff, so, although the pace can be fast, it's generally low key. To further set the scene, even though I can be aggressive on the ice, I average about one penalty a season, so I know I'm play cleanly.

The puck came out to me in the slot and I took a shot. The goalie stopped it but left a rebound about four feet in front of him to his right. I skated toward the puck but someone (I think the goalie) cleared it away, so I peeled away to my left. Next thing I know, the goalie (who I've never seen before, but I missed a few drop-ins during the fall) tries yanking at my right ankle to trip me.

Because I've never had this happen at this drop-in, and had never seen the goalie before, I told the guy "Hey, cut that out, man!" Bear in mind, I'm usually quite happy-go-lucky on the ice and NEVER pop off at anyone. His response was "Stay out of my crease!" I'm positive I didn't come within two feet of him and, if I did come into his crease, it was by no more than six inches.

I yelled at him. He yelled at me. Roughly end of story, although I told the guy who runs the practice for his own awareness. He said he'd talk to the guy. When the organizer showed up at the bar later, I asked him what the upshot of his conversation was. He said the kid told him that he was trying to get up and his stick must have gotten caught in my skate. Well, he was standing the whole time, and one who accidentally gets tangled up with someone wouldn't generally tell someone to stay out of the crease. Obviously, I'm dubious of that answer.

Anyway, another guy said that goes on all the time in higher levels. I told him I'm well aware it goes on in higher levels, but Saturday night at 9:45 with a bunch of 25-40 year-olds isn't what I consider a "higher level." Further, if I was correct and the kid tried to trip me, what's the frickin' point? The best thing that happens is he pisses me off, while the worse thing is he injures me because I'm not expecting it at this type of drop-in.

So I'm curious what other people think. Although I will certainly drop it by the next skate, should a higher level player be given a pass for a play like this, because it's typical of the level he plays? Or should a higher level player be able to recognize that a drop-in is a lower and easier-going level, and he shouldn't be defending his territory at all costs, particularly if it is marginally breached?

[Duder84 0]

It could have been a reaction out of habit on his part, though I do think higher level players should learn to control themselves and not battle as hard for something like drop in hockey. Not that I'm saying he shouldn't show any emotion, but he should be able to control himself, its not like you were running AT him right?

I would also overlook it the first time, but if it keeps going on, you should have a chat with him off the ice, and if he still doesn't quit....I'll leave that to your discretion

[Sticks of Fury 0]

Just say "It's frakking drop in buddy!" Look around you. It's casual. Or insert something self depreciating.

But then again, he is a goalie and goalies have lots of issues otherwise they would be playing out. :)

To be on the safe side, play on his team next time.

[Jason Harris 31]

its not like you were running AT him right?

Not even close to running at him. Someone smacked the puck off to the left and then they started heading out the zone, so I turned to follow it. As I said, if I entered his crease while turning to following the puck, maybe I did so by six inches. Let's just say he didn't exist at that moment. I didn't look at him, didn't touch him, and doubt that I entered his crease.

In retrospect, the one thing I did wrong is I skated right up to the guy who rents the ice to tell him of the incident, since I was hot under the collar at the kid yelling at me to stay out of his crease. Normally, that's the type of thing I'd tell Jim in private, for his own awareness to file away in case this became a recurring habit.

Regarding overlooking it the first time, maybe I'm sensitive to this play because I once suffered torn rib cartilage when a guy did a similar thing. The puck was sixty feet away and I was leaning to build up speed, not even realizing someone was behind me until he yanked on my ankle. Because I was leaning and unexpecting, I wasn't able to get my arms underneath me and landed hard on my side. It turned out it tore cartilage in my ribs.

That obviously pissed me off that someone would trip me just for the hell of it. Again, I'm very clean out there, so there's no way the guy was trying to get even for something.

[ryno 0]

Was this "kid" Ron Hextall? His actions seem a little uncalled for to me. It's not like it was game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, although some drop in superstars think it is.

[crutesie 0]

yeah this goalie seems like a bit of an asshole and getting too carried away.

[bobbyorio 0]

I'd loved to have gone for him lol though I'm sure I'll be told thats not the correct response!

I hate when goalies act like that. From my own experiences the goalies that use cheap shots like that in scrimmages or practice are all mouth and only ever do it when they reckon a fight wont kick off.

If a d man did that to a forward in a scrimmage it'd be wrong so different just cause its a goalie!

A little bit off topic but I love running a goalie when they come out of the crease. Drives the opposition mad but lots of fun. If he wants to stickhandle away outside of the crease he'd better kepp his head up as in a tight game its a great way to rattle the goalie :)

[All Torhs Team 0]

Im a 16 year old and once in a while I get to play with the old guys for laughs. My dad always reminds me (not that he needs to) that I cant play full speed. And when he says that, he also means the stick work that will go on when Im on my normal team.

To answer your question, I think that the higher level players need to play at the level of everyone else on the rink.

And I agree, I dont think this goalie sounds to like-able.

But heres another question, would you (being in the 9:45 25-40 y/o) ice time like to have these really hot goalies or would you rather have older goalies that you can score on?

Alot of times they will just boot the kid if hes too good or being an a$$.

[Jim A 4]

Jason, just break out the heel curve the next time out and whistle a few high and tight...works every time :D or wind up from about 18 feet out...

[Jason Harris 31]

Jason, just break out the heel curve the next time out and whistle a few high and tight...works every time :D  or wind up from about 18 feet out...

Yes, but whenever I see someone aim the puck into a five-inch spot and place it perfectly, I always say, "Man, I have got to buy me one of those...." :lol:

Skilled, I'm not. :D

[iceholes 0]

goalie should be able to control himself...habit or not... You are 100% correct for your actions in my eyes... I would not have been as big as you though...I would have made sure to skate through his crease and interfere with him somehow at a later point in the drop in... but thats me... I hate that cheap crap and will give it back for sure if I get the chance... only so I can lower myself to their level for that moment

There is no reason for cheap stuff at a casual drop in...it makes no sense

[donkey87 0]

Yeah, it's just drop in. There is no need for the goalie to be trying to trip people. Hopefully he just got a little excited. If he tries something like that again, I would send a few shots up high on him. Otherwise just let it go.

[Project_2501 0]

Hit him in the face a few times with slappers, should calm him down a bit, or get him more riled. You never know...

[U of M Goalie 0]

Yeah Im a goalie, and I play college and formerly juniors, and I dont even bother with that its drop in your out there to have fun and get away from coaches and fans screaming at you and just have some fun. No need to go full speed, no need to enforce crease rules, (unless a player is purposely running you). And bear in mind it's usually the crappy goalies who feel the need to do this, because if you could stop the puck and let your play speak for itself you wouldnt need the stick work or extra cirricular. Get yourself a new goalie

[Shorthanded67 0]

Pick-up hockey and rentals are a strange thing because the etiquette changes depending on the group of people.

You can play with some guys who take it WAY seriously and treat it as a game situation (like Jason's example in the original post.) Other times you can tell when everyone is just laid-back and having fun. If I'm playing with people who I normally don't play with, I'll stay quiet and watch for a few shifts to see how the atmosphere is.

My normal group of guys like to play hard but still goof around when the opportunity presents itself. It's not uncommon for a breakway move to be a "between the legs" shot or a one-hander or trying a "Michigan move" from behind the net. But it's also not uncommon for the goalie to come out and charge the shooter or give a playful leg hook to somebody in front of the net. With a different group of players....these things could cause a full-scale riot!

Adult hockey is interesting, both leagues and pickup. You got the guys who play it to stay in shape and remain competitive because they just love the sport (like I can safely say most adult MSHers are). And then you got the guys who believe that they can still play in the NHL. :P

[Jason Harris 31]

You know what I think it is, Shorthanded? We skate according to our expectations. In other words, if it's non-check, then I'm not expecting to get hit violently, so I leave more of myself exposed than I would otherwise.

I was at a tournament in Vegas and, when I picked up the puck, this guy was about twenty feet from me. As I tried to skate by him into an open area, he just rammed his shoulder into my chest. I'm a sturdy guy but that stunned me (as well as broke my stick in two). As I was on all fours on the ice, the guy yelled at me as he skated away, "Keep your head up next time, buddy!" As far as I'm concerned, his statement was tacit acknowledgement that, "You bet your ass I nailed you!"

Believe me, that was one of the few times I've looked to get even, but I wanted to do it subtly, and it never presented itself. However, the one thing I'd want to say to the guy is, "Look, I know you're proud of your hit, but this is non-check hockey. If I knew that you were going to check me, do you honestly think I would have come at you with my chest exposed, or do you think I would have kept my shoulder toward you?"

It's the same thing with this goalie last night. Nobody has ever played that way in this drop-in. It's been the same group of guys for years, so if I did come close to entering his crease -- although, again, I don't think I did -- there wasn't a worry that I was approaching the danger zone.

[Chadd 916]

You know what I think it is, Shorthanded? We skate according to our expectations. In other words, if it's non-check, then I'm not expecting to get hit violently, so I leave more of myself exposed than I would otherwise.

I was at a tournament in Vegas and, when I picked up the puck, this guy was about twenty feet from me. As I tried to skate by him into an open area, he just rammed his shoulder into my chest. I'm a sturdy guy but that stunned me (as well as broke my stick in two). As I was on all fours on the ice, the guy yelled at me as he skated away, "Keep your head up next time, buddy!" As far as I'm concerned, his statement was tacit acknowledgement that, "You bet your ass I nailed you!"

Believe me, that was one of the few times I've looked to get even, but I wanted to do it subtly, and it never presented itself. However, the one thing I'd want to say to the guy is, "Look, I know you're proud of your hit, but this is non-check hockey. If I knew that you were going to check me, do you honestly think I would have come at you with my chest exposed, or do you think I would have kept my shoulder toward you?"

It's the same thing with this goalie last night. Nobody has ever played that way in this drop-in. It's been the same group of guys for years, so if I did come close to entering his crease -- although, again, I don't think I did -- there wasn't a worry that I was approaching the danger zone.

I think you hit it dead on. If it's a friendly pickup game, you generally don't expect cheap shots and you get a lot more pissed off when it happens.

[ktang 34]

I think it was an unexpectedly cheap move by that goaltender for a pickup situation.

Men are most likely to become angry enough to lose control when they are surprised. It's a survival instinct from caveman days; something unexpected pops up, and you had better be on full alert / in berserk mode in that environment. You even see it in modern office environments. Women don't understand it...

I think you were surprised, so you lost a little bit of composure and complained publicly to the organizer instead of quietly later, so that's understandable.

[Hawkeye 0]

I wouldn't sweat it oo much. The guy was just reacting to what he thought was you running him. It's all in good fun

The other night I was playing at a drop to keep my legs between leagues layoff. And this other team was there. This guy kept hooking me everytime down the ice. I made a couple of "it's just pick-up take it easy" comments in good fun. And at the end of the night he really digs his stick in good. So I grabbed in between my elbow and hip bones leaned into it and snapped his stick.

I don't think he will do that this week.

[freq019 0]

some times its hard for really competitive guys to dial it down, and some people are just dicks. I wouldn't worry about it. If you have a chance to chat with the guy in the locker room you can see which catagory he falls in, he may just be hyper competitive and he didn't mean anything by it.

[sdh 0]

if you want to heat him up, fire a few pucks off his head or his cup. if you want to cool him off, put a few past him. decide which works for you.

and, if you're going for a rebound or standing around the crease, ALWAYS be prepared for something. cross checks to the back or blockers to the face are the worst. goalies love to poke you in the back of the knees or inside your thigh and refs never see it.

[sdh 0]

one more thing..

in beer leagues you'll come across a lot of people who are playing the highest level they've ever played and are ever going to play. for them, it's more serious than to the guy who is done with all that and just relaxing and enjoying the greatest game ever.

so, you have way more to fear in beer leagues. always keep your head up.

[Chadd 916]

one more thing..

in beer leagues you'll come across a lot of people who are playing the highest level they've ever played and are ever going to play. for them, it's more serious than to the guy who is done with all that and just relaxing and enjoying the greatest game ever.

so, you have way more to fear in beer leagues. always keep your head up.

Actually I find the biggest problems in the local beer leagues are the guys who get pissed when someone with less talent keeps beating them.

[technophile 0]

some times its hard for really competitive guys to dial it down, and some people are just dicks.

Amen to that -- mostly the second part. :P