Thatcher Demko ProRead 8
With Thatcher Demko
Part 2 of When, Where, Why and How to Use Reverse
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Thatcher Demko walked us through some of his keys to properly using the Reverse, or Reverse-VH, in our last Pro Reads with the Vancouver Canucks No. 1, and those lessons continue with this latest entry, which looks at a play that starts higher in the offensive zone.
THE SEQUENCE
Whereas the last sequence comes right off a cycle below the goal line against the New York Rangers, Demko and the Canucks are shorthanded in Part 2, and the puck has been moved around the back of the net to Artemi Panarin on the half wall between the hash marks:
As we see in the freeze frame above, Demko stays down in his Reverse despite the play being well above what many would consider the type of sharp angle play that technique was designed for. What are your thoughts on that decision to stay down in Reverse?
What factors do you think might contribute to that choice?
Does your answer change when you see the next freeze frame below?
Does the appearance of Chris Kreider from below the goal line change your thoughts at all on staying down in the Reverse? Or would you have been up on your skates by now regardless?
How much are you focused on Mika Zibanejad poised for his deadly one-timer atop the left face-off circle? Are you confident you could get across to him from the Reverse?
THE SAVE
Now watch the entire sequence in real time and ask yourself the same questions:
Does his use of a Reverse make more or less sense seeing how this played out?
Of course, his size and ability to move out of it matters, and not every goalie will play it the same way based on those attributes, but can you see reasons why it’s right for him here?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear how Demko read this threat and his keys to choosing to stay in Reverse:
Watch Thatcher Demko break down the full video for you
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- Demko breaks down his Reverse-VH save on a shorthanded sequence against Panarin, Kreider, and Zibanejad of the New York Rangers.
- Demko identifies the hash marks as his landmark for deciding whether to stay in the Reverse-VH or come up to his skates — at that depth, he is comfortable either way.
- His decision to hold the Reverse was driven by reading Panarin's intent: 'He's not going to shoot this puck,' Demko explains, allowing him to account for the pass threat without abandoning his position.
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