Jonathan Bernier Pro Read 6: Bernier’s three cues in action vs. Leafs
With Jonathan Bernier
This save off the rush demonstrates Bernier's keys to a strong performance as he reflects on his appearance on the InGoal Radio Podcast
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This is our sixth Pro Read featuring Detroit Red Wings goalie Jonathan Bernier, and while the first four have been loaded with a variety of sometimes complex situations, the last two featured simpler movements and tips that tie into Bernier’s foundational cues.
That doesn’t mean they’re both not still loaded with great play-reading tips, however.
Last time, Bernier added important rules for working with defensemen on shot blocking – and more important, when they shouldn’t try to block shots – to simple tips on shot preparation.
This time, Bernier breaks down the factors he picks out on a rush chance to choose his depth, but he also reviews some of his staples in terms of positioning and movement.
The Save
That’s also a highly skilled player carrying the puck into the middle of the ice in Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner. So as you watch the rush unfold in the save video below, see if you can identify clues from Marner that might tell you that pass in the freeze frame above was coming rather than him trying to shoot through, or deke around, that low Detroit defenseman?
As you can see now, there doesn’t appear to be much to that save by Bernier. But as Carter Hart told us during his Pro Read video session, the easy saves are his favorites because they mean he’s made the right read on the play. And as you’ll hear from Bernier below, there are specific reasons he chose to hold his ice above the crease rather than retreat or worry about that back-door option, as well as clues as to why he didn’t need to worry about Marner as a primary threat on that rush. So, make sure you watch the whole thing, because we all want to make more saves simpler and Bernier’s advice will help. And then make sure you read right to the end of this story, because we have links to drills he uses to fuel his positional keys.
The Scenario
This is a 3-on-3 rush over the blue line but with all three Red Wings defenders in the middle of the ice, there isn’t anyone paying attention to that backdoor attacker as the puck is passed from the middle back up to the top of the right face-off circle:
As you take a look at the rush as that first pass is made to Bernier’s left, what do you make of his depth selection at this point? Is there any need to back off given than back-side winger?
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When you’re done with those, make sure to check out Bernier’s past Pro Reads for more great tips. He started by walking us through an entire shootout, including tips on managing breakaway depth and how shooter preferences differ depending on the game situation, continued by examining a net drive out of the corner with a couple of pass options, then broke down a backdoor robbery out of reverse-VH, including a bonus look at his evolution using the technique, and finally shared tips on depth management and recovering in a scramble.
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- Bernier breaks down his save on a 3-on-3 rush against Toronto's Mitch Marner, with all three Detroit defenders positioned in the middle of the ice and a backdoor attacker left uncovered.
- Bernier chose to hold his depth above the crease rather than retreat, reading specific cues from Marner's body and puck movement that indicated a pass was coming rather than a shot or deke.
- As Carter Hart has also noted in his own video review, routine-looking saves are the goal — they signal the goalie made the correct read before the puck ever moved.
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