Articles
Blocking shots
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 17:02
By Derek Lambert
MN Puck Blog
Blocking shots may be the most under appreciated act in the game. Although noticed when players block shots, often times it isn't credited as being very important. It takes a lot of heart to go down and block a shot, and also is a great defensive play. There are multiple ways to block a shot, some are situational and some are more effective than others. To stand in front of a shot is a huge play that is rarely taught to players, but is more just a suggestion, an afterthought. Here are a few of my thoughts on blocking shots.
2012-13 Best Backyard Rink Contest winner
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 16:36
The Hammitt Rink
Bemidji, Minnesota
Our rink started as a small clearing in a 40-acre red pine plantation. We cut down about 250 trees in front of our rural Bemidji home. A few years later, our rink has evolved into an elaborate “Field of Dreams” of some sort, providing skating, camaraderie, solace from work, exercise and most importantly valuable family/neighbor time.
Why elephants can’t skate
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:48
By Jack Blatherwick
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
If elephants could speak, they’d explain why they can’t skate like humans – but more importantly, why most summer training programs are inadequate for hockey. They’d demonstrate some anatomical differences between elephant hip joints and those of humans. One of the differences (explained in the next paragraph) allows humans to skate fast. That same anatomical difference helps an elephant support tons of weight. Consequently, elephants can’t skate, and humans need hip replacements after carrying extra pounds for a few years.
The Hockey Doc: Facial lacerations
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 15:48
By Dr. Rob LaPrade
http://drrobertlaprademd.com
Question: I cut my chin when my helmet rode up on my face in a game. I used a butterfly band-aid to close it but was told later that I should have gone to the doctor to have it sutured. What is the proper treatment for this type of cut?
Answer: From the advice you received about having the cut sutured, it sounds like you sustained a laceration which went down into the deeper layers of the skin. We tend to separate out dermal (skin) injuries into how deep they go through the layers of the skin in terms of making further recommendations.
Minnesotans and the 2013 Hobey Baker Award
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 19:44
By Kevin Hartzell
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Congratulations to the four Minnesota natives that have been recognized as final 10 candidates for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to the year’s top college hockey player. No other state or province has more than one, so Minnesota’s four is quite impressive. All four of these Minnesota natives are, in my opinion, serious contenders to win the award and also legitimate candidates to play in the NHL – which makes this a very special group indeed. The four finalists are Quinnipiac goaltender Eric Hartzell (White Bear Lake), North Dakota forward Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie), St. Cloud State forward Drew LeBlanc and Nebraska-Omaha forward Ryan Walters (Rosemount).
