Page:Hockey, Canada's Royal Winter Game.djvu/83

 Many a goal is scored by an easy, lazy, slide, or by a long lift, when the goaler is not expecting danger, therefore the man in this position should be careful to follow the movements of the puck even when it is at the other end of the rink, and cautious in stopping the easiest shots, because "there's many a slip." Nothing should fluster a goal keeper, nothing discourage him. If one of his opposing forwards dodges every one of his apponents, and has a clear, dangerous opening for the goals, even then let the goaler retain his self-possession and confidence, because, nine times out of ten, the forward who is making the attack, is more excited over the peculiar circumstances of his rush than the former possibly could be, and will often shoot less accurately than he would under less favorable conditions. It is a mistake for a goal minder to imagine that he is not doing his duty because three or four, or more points have been scored against him, because the fault may, and very often does, rest upon the poor assistance he receives from his defence and forwards.

He should insist upon his defence men keeping at a reasonable distance from the goals, but if they do crowd in upon him, he should crouch down as low as the law allows and carefully watch the puck.