Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Pro Reads 1
With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Managing Angles and Flash Screens off the Rush
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Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been a treat to talk to anytime the Buffalo Sabres have come through Vancouver over the years, a clear student of the position willing to share his thoughts and insights. So, when the chance to do a couple in-person Pro Reads materialized on a rare road practice day in Seattle this week, InGoal didn’t hesitate to hit the road ourselves.
The 26-year-old Finn didn’t disappoint with two quick video breakdowns that we’re excited to share with our audience, starting with this look at managing a moving screen off the rush.
THE SEQUENCE
Luukkonen is facing the Pittsburgh Penguins and a pass to forward Danton Heinen on left wing:
Looking at the freeze frame above, what do you notice about where Luukkonnen is setting up on Heinen? We’ve already told you this is a flash screen, so even before seeing the replay below, you can probably guess that forward Noel Acciari, who just made the pass to Heinen, is going to cut across the goalie’s sightline. Keep that in mind when considering his positioning above, but also ask yourself if he is setting up on the puck, or closer to Heinen’s body? Any ideas why he may shade to the latter?
Watch the save and replay below keeping that same question in mind:
THE SAVE
What stands out about the way Luukkonen positions himself on Heinen initially, and how he manages that moving screen cutting to his right? Ask yourself why? Would you have handled it any different, maybe even shifting more actively or earlier across the moving screen and getting your head and eyes to the middle sooner?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear how Luukkonen saw and managed this rush chance and screen.
Still ahead in this article:
Luukkonen's first read on this rush isn't the puck — and the thing he actually locks onto first is named in the next line.
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Join thousands of goalies, parents, and coaches who train smarter with InGoal.
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