Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Pro Reads 2
With Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Managing Low Net Drives with Passing Options
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An injury sadly prevented Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from representing Finland at the Olympics, but won’t keep the affable Buffalo Sabres goalies from a return appearance Pro Reads.
Luukkonen has been a treat to talk to anytime the Sabres have come through Vancouver over the last couple of seasons, 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 earlier this season, 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, continuing with this look at managing a low lateral play.
THE SEQUENCE
Luukkonen is facing the Carolina Hurricanes and net drive that starts out of a puck battle on the boards to his left, and ends up with Logan Stankoven skating in closer to the goal line:
Looking at the freeze frame above, what information matters about the puck carrier? What about the pass option? What do you make of Luukkonen’s decision to go into a reverse-VH by this point of the attack? Would you approach it any different?
Obviously not all of you are 6-foot-5 so it’s okay to have a different answer.
The Save
Watch the save and replay below with those same questions in mind:
Does anything stand out about the way Luukkonen played this, whether it’s the way he sets up his Reverse, or the way he pushes out of it? Any keys in your mind?
THE PRO READ
Now let’s hear how Luukkonen saw and managed this low net drive:
Still ahead in this article:
Luukkonen's read on this low net drive doesn't start when the puck arrives — it starts earlier, at a specific moment in the sequence that's named just below.
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Join thousands of goalies, parents, and coaches who train smarter with InGoal.
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