Ever get the feeling like you will never

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I am currently sans points in my hockey career.

Had a game sunday, twice I was given beautiful passes, twice I hit the goalie on the pads when a blind 3 year old with one arm probably could have converted.

Another time, I fed the puck to the RW, in what had to by the nicest pass of my career to date, he broke in behind the defense, and dinged it off the crossbar.

After those 3 plays, I think I am destined to never ever score a point, ever.

My shooting sucks, but I am working on it, my passing isn't bad, but I haven't even been able to get an assist on the board yet.

I think I made a couple of nice defensive plays though, and felt that I had an ok game (for my skill level).

It's almost like golf, fantastic but frustrating at the same time.

I am always delighted to be on the ice, but god damnit, I need a point.

Stick and puck, sure I can set up goals and score the odd one, but I am starting to feel like the sens now, choking when it actually counts.

OK, little vent over

[mack 44]

The points will come but I can't say how frequently. As long as you're still contributing in other areas of the game--and it sounds like you are--then you're sound as a pound.

[fedorov#91 0]

The points will come but I can't say how frequently. As long as you're still contributing in other areas of the game--and it sounds like you are--then you're sound as a pound.

Mack, sound as a pound? Are you from Ireland?

[mack 44]

Straight outta Castleknock

[stick9 896]

I went thru this too. I'm sure everyone has at one point. The main thing is don't let it get you down. Just go out and play and don't think about it. Like mack says, make sure other areas of your game are solid.

Keep working hard. The points will come.

[sonsplayhockey 0]

Don't give up.

I did not get a single goal in my first season as a beginner. Not one.

Once I started going to pickup more and relaxing and trying new things like holding onto the puck longer, it got better.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Straight outta Castleknock

Letterkenny representing here, loud and proud, although my sister works in dublin, please don't hold that against me.

So long as she doesn't arrive back to donegal a half knacker, will be grand.

MY other brother just finished his first year in coleraine, and is already saying hie at the end of every damn sentence

Whats the craic hie

Boutchee hie

Stap slabberin on would yee hie

[mack 44]

And you've refrained from doing anything violent? You're a stronger man than I.

[chk hrd 164]

try to relax going in on a shot. alot of new or younger players get excited when they see a good scoring chance. They get all tense and try to rush it. Also try not to look at where the goalie is, look more at where he isn't. If your looking at the goalie, most of the time that is right were your shot goes.

It will happen and when it does enjoy it. Good luck.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

And you've refrained from doing anything violent? You're a stronger man than I.

I'm in DC, he is in Ireland, I will be home for a wedding in november, so will have to do some sorting out then

[mack 44]

Ahh, I see. I'd have to say the worst part about going back--anywhere in general--are the chavs. Well that and Dublin has the absolute worst airport outside of Iraq.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Ahh, I see. I'd have to say the worst part about going back--anywhere in general--are the chavs. Well that and Dublin has the absolute worst airport outside of Iraq.

Yeah, we usually try to fly into belfast (wifes from enniskillen, so stop at her place first), but this time its dublin.

Some dirty knacker probably rooting through my stuff.

As long as I get back here with all my cheese and onion taytos, chef sauce and sausages, they can take whatever they want on the way over.

Oh, and monster munch and rancheros,mmmmm crisps

[mack 44]

Colcannon...no way can I resist the colcannon.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

I can take it or leave it, but my wifes aunt makes the best damn boxtie you have ever had, hand wrings the spuds and everything

[Quintin 16]

Relax, don't think about the points. The more fun you have, the better you'll play. I think everyone can agree with that.

[Chadd 916]

I prefer to pass but if the guys you're playing with can't finish, you don't get the A. I've been playing defense for so long, I haven't worked on my hands or picking corners for a while. It kills me when I actually do play forward for a change.

[Maka 0]

The more you worry about it, the more it'll become ingrained into your head that you can't score. Just relax and play naturally, because being more anxious about the whole situation will only screw up your game more.

[technophile 0]

I have this problem too. Two seasons plus 3 games, and I stand at 2 assists, 6 PIM, and no goals. It's not like I haven't had chances--towards the end of last season, I was standing at the open side of the net and one of the forwards passed it right across the crease, right on my tape--and somehow the goalie got his glove on it. It would have tied the game with 3 seconds left, too.

I also get a fair number of shots from the point (I play RD), my teammates are good about dropping pucks back for that, they just haven't gone in yet.

I don't actually sweat it too much (except for the ones that would have been really clutch); it's not my primary purpose, we have goal scorers, and I'm just as happy to make a good defensive play or a nice cross-ice pass to set up an odd man rush or make a good play to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Still, it'd be nice to get that first goal and break the ice. :)

[--notorious 0]

try to relax going in on a shot. alot of new or younger players get excited when they see a good scoring chance. They get all tense and try to rush it. Also try not to look at where the goalie is, look more at where he isn't. If your looking at the goalie, most of the time that is right were your shot goes.

It will happen and when it does enjoy it. Good luck.

Do exactly as he said^^^^. Every goal i've scored its been done without thinking.I just relax and somehow it gets in there.

[Drewhunz 3]

I have this problem too. Two seasons plus 3 games, and I stand at 2 assists, 6 PIM, and no goals.

I don't actually sweat it too much (except for the ones that would have been really clutch); it's not my primary purpose, we have goal scorers, and I'm just as happy to make a good defensive play or a nice cross-ice pass to set up an odd man rush or make a good play to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Still, it'd be nice to get that first goal and break the ice. :)

Same here, but in 3 seasons, I have 2 assists, 38 PIM's no goals, and 1 hug from the ref ;) (ref's gotta keep their heads up too, but admitted that it was his own fault."

[yvan12 0]

I am currently sans points in my hockey career.

Had a game sunday, twice I was given beautiful passes, twice I hit the goalie on the pads when a blind 3 year old with one arm probably could have converted.

Another time, I fed the puck to the RW, in what had to by the nicest pass of my career to date, he broke in behind the defense, and dinged it off the crossbar.

After those 3 plays, I think I am destined to never ever score a point, ever.

My shooting sucks, but I am working on it, my passing isn't bad, but I haven't even been able to get an assist on the board yet.

I think I made a couple of nice defensive plays though, and felt that I had an ok game (for my skill level).

It's almost like golf, fantastic but frustrating at the same time.

I am always delighted to be on the ice, but god damnit, I need a point.

Stick and puck, sure I can set up goals and score the odd one, but I am starting to feel like the sens now, choking when it actually counts.

OK, little vent over

Smoke, there was a defenceman who played for the Peterborough Petes up until last year. In his last 5 years (including his last year of Midget) I think he scored 3 goals (and 2 of them were in one game). He is now skating with the Edmonton Oilers and is one hell of a good defenceman. Points aren't everything, contributing to the team as a whole is. Be patient, don't push yourself, and the points will come. Have a great season.

[hockechamp14 0]

Just be confident with the puck, if you get down on yourself you make it harder on yourself. If you're willing to dish out around twenty dollars, here's a great book for anyone who plays a sport, weather you play house on weekends, or you're one of the pros college or junior players here.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...KX0DER&st=books

a lot of people underestimate what the power of thinking does for you. "Hockey Tough" is another great book, but if you have to get one, I'd suggest "the mental edge."

[Sven 1]

Every (good) player has such a "weak-streak" so see it from the positive side.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Every (good) player has such a "weak-streak" so see it from the positive side.

Every "good" player, however, I suck!! :D

It's not really bothering me yet, but I really should have had a point on sunday. The guy I fed my pass to for the potential assist that hit the bar, had 4 goals on the day, so the finishers are not the issue.

I definately overthought the two scoring chances, because they should have been automatic.

We did win 5-2, and thought I played to the best of my abilities, so was still happy, but hadn't had opportunities to score like that until now.

Just a matter of keeping on at it, and it will come.

Stupid practice, I should be good from day one, stupid commitment

[chk hrd 164]

I definately overthought the two scoring chances, because they should have been automatic.

I always tell the kids to "don't think...just do". Hockey is to fast to try and overthink or analyze while you are on the ice. You need to just go on auto pilot and let your training and experience take over.