Pheonix Copley ProRead 2
With Pheonix Copley
Reading Pass or Shot (and Pad Stack Mechanics)
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Pheonix Copley is coming off a shutout in his last start with the Los Angeles Kings, his second straight win this season after going 24-6-3 last season and more than doubling his career NHL total in games played in the previous 10. We caught up with the North Pole, Alaska native for a recent episode of the InGoal Radio Podcast and he was kind enough to stick around for a video session after.
THE SAVE SEQUENCE
After a two-part sequence against the Edmonton Oilers historically good power play in his Pro Reads debut, Coply is facing the Philadelphia Flyers in-zone at 5-on-5 in this follow up:
Looking at the freeze frame above as the Flyers player cuts into the middle of the ice with the puck on his forehand, what do you see as the most dangerous threat? Is it the shot, or the passing options on either side? What details would you want to note about those players?
What do you make of Copley’s depth in the crease at this point?
Now take a look at the puck carrier in this second freeze frame and see if you can spot any tells about whether he’s shooting or passing as he cuts into the middle?
THE SEQUENCE
Of course, timing also matters in this sequence, especially if he passes. As you watch this play — and the replays — see if you can identify the moment you know if it’s a shot or pass (and why).
Were you able to spot the tell on the first video? In the replays? Does Copley’s depth make more sense now that you know it was a pass? What did you make of his patience and his push across? Can you identify why he might have pushed outside his post instead of into it?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear Copley on his approach to this dangerous scoring chance:
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- Copley breaks down his save against Philadelphia as a Flyers skater cuts into the middle on his forehand with passing options on both sides.
- Copley identifies his initial depth positioning in the crease as a deliberate decision that set up his ability to react to the pass.
- Copley explains the timing of his push — and why he pushed outside his post rather than into it — as a calculated response once the play declared itself.
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