unwritten rules of beer leagues?

[Renneys Revenge]

I just finished my second season in beer league, as well as my second year playing hockey. What would you say is the etiquette regarding goalies? I don't slash at them or anything but I am not going to give up on a puck until the whistle is blown - a goal is a goal. Also I made a point of screening the goalie this season and seemed to catch a lot of flack (from them). Is that just the other team being fussy or is it wrong for me to have a presence in front of the net? I am not touching the goalie/making any contact whatsoever but he is pushing me and I usually draw a defenseman who does the same thing. They whine at me and each other, am I in the wrong?

 

[SJGoalie32]

I would be pretty pissed too, it sounds like you guys were being douchebags this victory. Switching positions, stop backchecking and defense switching sticks to opposite hand, come on, you pretty much were flaunting that win. Get yourselves in a higher division because you're ruining the experience for others just destroying them... it's not fun for anybody, and normally just starts un-needed fights.

+1

Switching positions is one thing. The other stuff.....that's kinda disrespectful.

It's possible to win, even by large margins, without being disrespectful about it.

 

[SJGoalie32]

I just finished my second season in beer league, as well as my second year playing hockey. What would you say is the etiquette regarding goalies? I don't slash at them or anything but I am not going to give up on a puck until the whistle is blown - a goal is a goal. Also I made a point of screening the goalie this season and seemed to catch a lot of flack (from them). Is that just the other team being fussy or is it wrong for me to have a presence in front of the net? I am not touching the goalie/making any contact whatsoever but he is pushing me and I usually draw a defenseman who does the same thing. They whine at me and each other, am I in the wrong?

Screening the goaltender is fine. Depends on if you're doing anything extra (poking, interfering, etc.). Maybe they're just whining, maybe you're underselling what you're actually doing.

That being said, teams are going to defend their goalies and defend their creases. If you're close to the crease expect a) the goalie to call tell his defenseman to move you and to be disappointed with his defenseman if he doesn't, and b) expect the other team's defense (and goaltender) to do everything they can to get you out of there. That's as much a part of hockey as you standing there.

Nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with playing or going to the whistle, just understand that them defending such play through the whistle is a part of hockey, too.

 

[goalie29]

I don't slash at them or anything but I am not going to give up on a puck until the whistle is blown - a goal is a goal. Also I made a point of screening the goalie this season and seemed to catch a lot of flack (from them). Is that just the other team being fussy or is it wrong for me to have a presence in front of the net? I am not touching the goalie/making any contact whatsoever but he is pushing me and I usually draw a defenseman who does the same thing. They whine at me and each other, am I in the wrong?

That doesn't sound too out of line.

You might want to think about how hard you're actually going at the goalie before the whistle sounds, though. When someone pokes or hacks at my glove when I clearly have the puck, even if the whistle hasn't gone, it's annoying.

I've been speared pretty hard and gotten some nasty bruises from people who claim to have been going for the puck, but they miss badly - including one this year where the stick blade ended up caught in under my knee protection (and the puck was in my glove, not under my pad anyway).

If you're not in the crease, and not making contact with the goalie - it's all good. Screening is always totally fine, in whatever sort of game - pickup, league...

 

[ponder]

another game, won 6-0. i think we're definitely being moved up. after the 1st we switched positions and stopped backchecking, in the 3rd some of the defense switched to opposite hand sticks. the other team was pretty pissed this time.

Switching sticks to opposite hands in a blowout is definitely disrespectful and a massive dbag move. I know I said violent retribution is rare in beer league, but pull stunts like that and you are definitely risking cheap shots, personally I wouldn't blame anyone for laying a dirty hit/slash/crosscheck on someone who was being that cocky. Celebrating a goal, pulling dirty dangles, these kind of things won't draw much, but if you go way out of your way to embarrass the other team, you are risking violence, just as you would if you went way out of your way to embarrass a guy at a bar or some other such situation.

I just finished my second season in beer league, as well as my second year playing hockey. What would you say is the etiquette regarding goalies? I don't slash at them or anything but I am not going to give up on a puck until the whistle is blown - a goal is a goal. Also I made a point of screening the goalie this season and seemed to catch a lot of flack (from them). Is that just the other team being fussy or is it wrong for me to have a presence in front of the net? I am not touching the goalie/making any contact whatsoever but he is pushing me and I usually draw a defenseman who does the same thing. They whine at me and each other, am I in the wrong?

As others have said, screening the goalie is perfectly fine, expect to have dmen and the goalie do everything in their power (mostly shoves/cross checks) to move you out of the way, but both the screening and the hits to the screener are a totally standard part of all forms of hockey other than shinny.

However, poking away at a goalie who has fully covered the puck, even if the whistle has not blown yet, is IMO totally over the line in beer league, don't do it. If the puck is free/uncovered, get at it, but once the goalie has it covered leave it alone, it is just beer league after all, no need to potentially injure the goalie for some ugly goal that you're unlikely to get anyways.

 

[ChiTownHawks]

Switching sticks to opposite hands in a blowout is definitely disrespectful and a massive dbag move. I know I said violent retribution is rare in beer league, but pull stunts like that and you are definitely risking cheap shots, personally I wouldn't blame anyone for laying a dirty hit/slash/crosscheck on someone who was being that cocky. Celebrating a goal, pulling dirty dangles, these kind of things won't draw much, but if you go way out of your way to embarrass the other team, you are risking violence, just as you would if you went way out of your way to embarrass a guy at a bar or some other such situation.


As others have said, screening the goalie is perfectly fine, expect to have dmen and the goalie do everything in their power (mostly shoves/cross checks) to move you out of the way, but both the screening and the hits to the screener are a totally standard part of all forms of hockey other than shinny.

However, poking away at a goalie who has fully covered the puck, even if the whistle has not blown yet, is IMO totally over the line in beer league, don't do it. If the puck is free/uncovered, get at it, but once the goalie has it covered leave it alone, it is just beer league after all, no need to potentially injure the goalie for some ugly goal that you're unlikely to get anyways.

I agree 100% with both posts above. I am sorry but the team in first quote sounds like a bunch of douches and if you were in my league you would probably get laid out.

Screening the goalie is fine, but expect to be moved. I spend a lot of time in front of the goal and nearly that enitre time there is a stick in my back.

 

[cptjeff]

Yup, screening the goalie is good. Practice tips in warmups while the goalie is stretching too, it'll make you even more useful up there. But do expect to be shoved around, and do expect the occasional whack to the back of your legs. Goalies are still goalies after all, and it's not all that rare to play against a guy who grew up watching Hextall. If you're in their faces, refs are not often going to call a goalie for something.

If you're fine with the shoving, the whacks, and the occasional unceremonious dumping into the net, go ahead and screen the goalie. It's not considered bad form if you take your whacks without biatching to the ref. You pay a price for going there, but nobody will hold it against you. You're doing your job, so are they.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I would also take into consideration the difference between a "poke" and a "whack" at the puck if it seems like it might be loose. Not being a goalie I would speculate that they don't mind someone trying to shove a loose puck under their pads from close range, so much as people who use their sticks as a spear to try and jab it loose. At least, it seems like a jab/poke would hurt a lot more than a whack on the pads.

 

[kr580]

That said, if you're going to move up I'd do it one level at a time. Just going from B/C, where some of the players are taking their first step into serious competition, up into B where you have A-leaguers playing down on a regular basis, that's a pretty big jump. Going all the way up to A might land you in a position to be the league doormat.

Kinda like how they treated that team they just beat 6-0? I say jump to the top and get a taste of their own medicine.

 

[Toonces]

Kinda like how they treated that team they just beat 6-0? I say jump to the top and get a taste of their own medicine.

Yeah, seriously, though they won't get a taste of their own medicine since nobody who played hockey at any real competitive level (Juniors, College, Pro, etc) would ever act like that, in large part because there are some serious consequences to pulling crap like that at those levels.

They'll learn their lesson eventually.

 

[Bolt32]

Its a beer league, no need for enforcers. If anyone tries to take that role, put the ******* in his place and kick him off the team.

 

[Bolt32]

Yeah, seriously, though they won't get a taste of their own medicine since nobody who played hockey at any real competitive level (Juniors, College, Pro, etc) would ever act like that, in large part because there are some serious consequences to pulling crap like that at those levels.

They'll learn their lesson eventually.

That reminds me of a time (I shoot right handed, the other guy shoots left.) Where the defensemen on the other team ran into me, wasn't intentionally or anything, but we both picked up eachothers stick. I went right in front of the goalie and tiped in a goal left handed. I dont know if that was a douch bag thing to do, but sure was

just kidding, I know what your talking about.

 

[JLHockeyKnight]

I like this one:

Remember that you are NOT in the NHL and, barring some miracle, WILL NEVER BE IN THE NHL. Deal with it. I hate it when people go nuts and try to kill you. It's beer league, people have jobs and lives outside of it.

A good example is my captain had his wrist broken because a player snapped and tomahawked his wrist. The amazing thing was the guy that Tomahawked him....his team had an 8 to 4 lead, and did it with less than a minute left.

 

[JLHockeyKnight]

However, poking away at a goalie who has fully covered the puck, even if the whistle has not blown yet, is IMO totally over the line in beer league, don't do it. If the puck is free/uncovered, get at it, but once the goalie has it covered leave it alone, it is just beer league after all, no need to potentially injure the goalie for some ugly goal that you're unlikely to get anyways.

If I see the puck I'll usually poke once, but that's about it. Usually you can see a cover coming a mile away so it's not necessary. But I agree, I've seen people hack away even after the whistle and it's uncalled for. I can even remember a time when the goalie covered and I stood over him with my stick a few inches away (was going for rebound until he covered) and never got a whistle. I eventually turned to the ref and yelled "You going to blow the whistle today!?"

 

[Darrelle Lundqvist]

But the guy who does the Bombay triple deke in warm ups is always the guy to complain when the goalie gives up an early one.

Sad, but true.

 

[rinkrat22]

I like this one:

Remember that you are NOT in the NHL and, barring some miracle, WILL NEVER BE IN THE NHL. Deal with it. I hate it when people go nuts and try to kill you. It's beer league, people have jobs and lives outside of it.A good example is my captain had his wrist broken because a player snapped and tomahawked his wrist. The amazing thing was the guy that Tomahawked him....his team had an 8 to 4 lead, and did it with less than a minute left.

I had the unfortunate luck(bad luck) today at open hockey where one of these types fking around took the legs out from a guy. The problem is the 22 y/o didn't realize the 35 y/o whose legs he took out has a medical history of a lower back fracture from a motorcycle accident years ago. The guy fell landing on his back, neck and head. Now this guy had 2 seizures while i was taking care of him, waiting for the ambulance to get there. Luckily I am a firefighter/paramedic. s it stands now this kid is in the hospital, currently paralized from the neck down. I haven't heard but I would assume from what I saw he also may have a Brain bleed.

The point of all this is when you **** around at pick up or mens league you never know what may happen. If I am playing competitive hockey I assume some risk, remember people have lives outside of hockey.

 

[ChiTownHawks]

I had the unfortunate luck(bad luck) today at open hockey where one of these types fking around took the legs out from a guy. The problem is the 22 y/o didn't realize the 35 y/o whose legs he took out has a medical history of a lower back fracture from a motorcycle accident years ago. The guy fell landing on his back, neck and head. Now this guy had 2 seizures while i was taking care of him, waiting for the ambulance to get there. Luckily I am a firefighter/paramedic. s it stands now this kid is in the hospital, currently paralized from the neck down. I haven't heard but I would assume from what I saw he also may have a Brain bleed.

The point of all this is when you **** around at pick up or mens league you never know what may happen. If I am playing competitive hockey I assume some risk, remember people have lives outside of hockey.

People like that make me sick. I can't understand why people play like that in beer league. I hope that guy ends up being ok, that sounds horrible.

 

[cptjeff]

I had the unfortunate luck(bad luck) today at open hockey where one of these types fking around took the legs out from a guy. The problem is the 22 y/o didn't realize the 35 y/o whose legs he took out has a medical history of a lower back fracture from a motorcycle accident years ago. The guy fell landing on his back, neck and head. Now this guy had 2 seizures while i was taking care of him, waiting for the ambulance to get there. Luckily I am a firefighter/paramedic. s it stands now this kid is in the hospital, currently paralized from the neck down. I haven't heard but I would assume from what I saw he also may have a Brain bleed.

The point of all this is when you **** around at pick up or mens league you never know what may happen. If I am playing competitive hockey I assume some risk, remember people have lives outside of hockey.

I'm sorry, but if you're at a point medically where you're at significant risk for being paralyzed from an awkward landing from a fall on the ice, you should not be playing hockey. Period. Even in leagues and with players with the best of intentions, shiat happens. The most scared I've ever been for somebody after an incident on the ice wasn't a ********* or anything like that, it was two teammates not looking where they were turning, resulting in an explosive hit. A landing like the one you describe isn't out of the question in something like that.

No check does not mean no contact nor no risk. If you step out on the ice knowing that your back is more delicate then most, you cannot blame the other guy, even if what he did wasn't all that appropriate.

There are risks to hockey. If you are not in a shape where it is safe for you accept those risks, you are playing with fire. Something will happen sooner or later and while it sucks for him, but it's hardly the fault of the guy who flipped him. I see the moral of your story as, "Don't play hockey if you have medical problems that make it a really stupid idea".

 

[Pittsburgh Proud]

I'm sorry, but if you're at a point medically where you're at significant risk for being paralyzed from an awkward landing from a fall on the ice, you should not be playing hockey. Period. Even in leagues and with players with the best of intentions, shiat happens. The most scared I've ever been for somebody after an incident on the ice wasn't a ********* or anything like that, it was two teammates not looking where they were turning, resulting in an explosive hit. A landing like the one you describe isn't out of the question in something like that.

No check does not mean no contact nor no risk. If you step out on the ice knowing that your back is more delicate then most, you cannot blame the other guy, even if what he did wasn't all that appropriate.

There are risks to hockey. If you are not in a shape where it is safe for you accept those risks, you are playing with fire. Something will happen sooner or later and while it sucks for him, but it's hardly the fault of the guy who flipped him. I see the moral of your story as, "Don't play hockey if you have medical problems that make it a really stupid idea".

Agreed, you can't jeopardize your own health like that.

 

[rinkrat22]

I'm sorry, but if you're at a point medically where you're at significant risk for being paralyzed from an awkward landing from a fall on the ice, you should not be playing hockey. Period. Even in leagues and with players with the best of intentions, shiat happens. The most scared I've ever been for somebody after an incident on the ice wasn't a ********* or anything like that, it was two teammates not looking where they were turning, resulting in an explosive hit. A landing like the one you describe isn't out of the question in something like that.

No check does not mean no contact nor no risk. If you step out on the ice knowing that your back is more delicate then most, you cannot blame the other guy, even if what he did wasn't all that appropriate.

There are risks to hockey. If you are not in a shape where it is safe for you accept those risks, you are playing with fire. Something will happen sooner or later and while it sucks for him, but it's hardly the fault of the guy who flipped him. I see the moral of your story as, "Don't play hockey if you have medical problems that make it a really stupid idea".

first of all it was pick up not league. second of all the puck was in the net. third of all it was from behind. he usd his stick to take out his feet.

does that change your opinion?

the point is yes there is some assumed risk, clean play...**** happens, you knew the risk but dirty play not so much.

I am a pretty strong guy, (I squat in the 400lbs range Dl in the 500lbs range) I could run around destroying guys if I wanted, but I have enough sense to realize the game doesn't ****in matter.

Now If I had his medical history would I be out there, I doubt it, but its a pretty regular group at this rink and its pretty low key. There are a couple of 60 y/o's that skate with us. One played in the NHL, one in the A. Along with plenty of other older guys. When the young guys are out its pretty fast, when the bench gets mixed up everyone dials it down.

 

[Ribosome]

first of all it was pick up not league. second of all the puck was in the net. third of all it was from behind. he usd his stick to take out his feet.

does that change your opinion?

the point is yes there is some assumed risk, clean play...**** happens, you knew the risk but dirty play not so much.

I am a pretty strong guy, (I squat in the 400lbs range Dl in the 500lbs range) I could run around destroying guys if I wanted, but I have enough sense to realize the game doesn't ****in matter.

Now If I had his medical history would I be out there, I doubt it, but its a pretty regular group at this rink and its pretty low key. There are a couple of 60 y/o's that skate with us. One played in the NHL, one in the A. Along with plenty of other older guys. When the young guys are out its pretty fast, when the bench gets mixed up everyone dials it down.

Absolutely not. If you have an extensive medical history that includes something as dangerous as that, then you are only asking for trouble. There is no way in HELL I would EVER lace 'em up again if I had the potential of being paralyzed from a nasty spill.

While the guy that hit him from behind shouldn't be without fault, the real stupidity lies with the victim here. People lose their tempers and do things they regret, bad spills happen, etc... not worth it.