Among the many interesting revelations to come out of Episode 156 of the InGoal Radio Podcast with Calgary Flames goalie development coach Thomas Speer and top puck-stopping prospect Dustin Wolf was a new sharp-angle technique they called The Panda, or Panda Post Lock.
No, it has nothing to do with Robin Lehner, whose nickname is Panda, though admittedly that was the first thing that went through our minds when Speer mentioned it.
The move actually originated as part of Wolf’s evolution as a first-year pro and the addition of Overlap technique to how he handles dead-angle shots, something he said resulted from getting sniped short-side high from the bottom of the face-off circle in a rookie game against the Edmonton Oilers.
“It was a goal I’d rather not give up it was a learning experience that’s kind of set me up,” Wolf said. “It’s been a pretty big game changer in terms of shots from dead angles.”
One of the challenges with using Overlap can be handling that attack as it gets closer to the net and evolves from a shot threat to a wraparound. For some, the answer is to switch from an Overlap into Reverse-VH inside the post, but that transition can leave some goalies feeling exposed, so they came up with a new alternative.
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In the first clip there was a wrap around attempt, stick side. Goalie makes the save but gives up a rebound and the goalie goes to rvh. This leaves that window open over the right shoulder. Now he’s in the scenario he tried to avoid using overlap. What todo?
At the 2:20 mark
I see bank in goals off the butt all day long if this technique becomes a thing
Interesting new technique but it looks like there are some flaws I’m hoping to get some answers to. What’s stopping the shooter from either cutting to the front of the net and wrapping it in the crease, or going behind and shooting off the goalies back for the bounce in goal. Other than your back being held right against the post it seems risky
I would think both those situations could be easily countered – you are not locking in to this position, you can easily adjust to a dynamic situation.
It sounds like he scenario this Panda move solves is using Overlap and how to handle the wraparound threat. “One of the challenges with using Overlap can be handling that attack as it gets closer to the net and evolves from a shot threat to a wraparound.” and specifically during the transition “Instead of transitioning from overlap into RVH in that awkward spot where he can shoot it…” . The 2:20 mark you mentioned is after a wraparound shot, so there is no second wraparound threat on rebound, and since the goalie is already on the ice from wraparound save there is no big transition when getting into the RVH.
If you are concerned about the rebound shot after wraparound save going top shelf, decide to stand up. It looks like in the clip the goalie decided to stay in RVH, for whatever reason.
I think the point is not so much that he is wanting to avoid use of RVH – though that is an advantage to overlap for sure – More that that if you are on your feet by choice and then the threat gets close enough that you might want to be in RVH – this is an option,
a modification to a traditional overlap that avoids the danger of transition – as we move from standing to RVH, holes open up and we are vulnerable. It does not avoid ever being in RVH.
Speaking for goalies that aren’t 6′ 4″. Feel like we have been doing this the whole time, instead of RVH.
Overlap, yes I’m sure – but have you always done it with the back leg more flat on the goal line like this? If so – congrats for the great work! If not, maybe give this tweak a try.