From: rte@mc.duke.edu (Robert Engelhardt -- gaj)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: Right handers playing left handed hockey
Date: 14 Oct 92 18:56:24 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Duke University; Durham, N.C.

>>	Ok all you goaltenders out there, I have got a question for you.
>>I play out of net left handed so therefore, when I play in net my
>>stick is in the wrong hand to use easily with the gloves (or the
>>gloves are on the wrong hand to use the stick easily...)  Anyway,
>>my glove hand is only a little inferior on the right hand than it is
>>on the left, and only because I can't afford left handed equipment!
>>Plus, when I play lefty the crouch is very uncomfortable with the
>>stick in my left hand.

>>	So what would be easier?  Playing goalie lefty with proper equipment,
>>thereby allowing me to handle the puck easier, or to just stick it out
>>righty and make due with one handed righty passes?  Any other goalies
>>out there experience this?

>I think it is much more important that you be able to use your stick
>effectively than it is to use your glove effectively.  Playing  
>at the intermediate level of an Adult rec league, I get many more shots
>down low than up high, and I'm much better off clearing rebounds
>myself than relying solely on my defensemen.  In addition, being able
>to make sharp and accurate passes helps alot on breakouts.

>Mark Peters 

  Tonight I will play my second game as a novice goalie so I may not be
an expert...
  I am left-handed and use the rink equipment, which doesn't include
"full-right" equipment (i.e. right catching glove, left blocker).  If I
had a choice I would definitely use the correct equipment.  If I continue
to play goalie, one day I will probably want full-right gloves despite the
cost (the catalog I have has adult full-right gloves starting at about
$160/pair).  I know that handling the stick with my left hand (w/o glove) 
is far superior to handling the stick with my right hand.  I can see no 
reason why it wouldn't be the same with gloves on.  I also have 
played softball (and baseball) since I was little, so I have considerable 
experience using a catching glove on the right hand.
  I just don't have as good a feel for the stick using my right hand, not
only in clearing the puck and making a pass, but especially in keeping the
blade flat on the ice.  I had one goal trickle under the back edge of the
blade last week that I am sure I would have stopped if I were using full-
right gloves.
  There are several sports I play in which I have adjusted to playing right-
handed (golf, target shooting, hockey(I use a right stick, but can use 
either)).  In playing goal, I can play "right-handed", but coordination and
hand strength demanded by the stick leads me to believe it is going to be
a difficult adjustment, and may take a long time (if ever) to feel right.

On other topics:
  I personally like the new Pitt. Penguins' jersey.  Still don't like the
Penguins though.
  Early (premature?) congratulations to Quebec and Tampa Bay.  Quebec for
drafting Lindros and using him to acquire a competitive team.  Tampa Bay for
a good start in their inaugural season and on their sharp uniforms. 
  Does anybody know if (where) Wayne Cowley,goalie, formerly of the ECHL 
Raleigh Icecaps and AHL(?) Cape Breton Oilers, is playing.  
Is he currently with Cape Breton?

GO ISLANDERS!
GO ICECAPS!
-- 
Robert T. Engelhardt:  	|...We were once so close to heaven
Duke University	 	|Peter came out and gave us medals
Department of Physics	|Declaring us the nicest of the damned...
Grad. Stud. in MRI     	|			-TMBG