JMS Hockey

Just a thought, Instead of playing pick up games where the goalies just switch after the 45 minute mark, why not just have games where teams play to a certain number of goals (say first to 5 wins) and then have the goalies switch once a team wins? Personally I think this would provide some direction to the game as both teams would be competing against each other to score a certain number of goals. And then once a team lost the goalies would switch and possibly provide the winning team a greater challenge etc. Personally I just like this idea because it might provide more incentive for players to put in a full effort and not just get lazy and stop playing defense etc. I get that nobody is going to put in a full 100% effort in a 90 minute pick up game but I do think that possibly changing the format a little could provide more incentive to do so. And if one team wins in blowout fashion with both goalies then maybe have one player switch jerseys. Just my 2 cents on a possible way to improve JMS games.

My Thursday night icetimes do this. We play to 5 goals and each bench keeps track by keeping a stack of 5 pucks on the board dasher between the benches, moving the pucks with each goal scored by their team. When one team gets to five, the the teams themselves switch ends... not the goalies. I think for the most part, players skate hard. I've been to a few ice times where the last half hour may be slow, but that's usually due to having less than 20 skaters. Personally, I like defensive lapses and breakdowns in pick-up hockey. It gives me good practice. I don't tend to try as hard in pickup as I do in actual games... I'm more likely to mess around. I do think it could be a GREAT opportunity though, especially for the Beginner or lower levels for the people who may not have ever played in a "game" before. Possibly give them some exposure to get them even more fired up to potentially play in a league. Would probably only need one ref.

I kind of like the idea. Might be kind of fun to switch it up one in a while with a different format especially as this is the only firm of hockey I play.

If I play goalie again I will have to go from one end of the ice to the other more than once? Forget it. We only have 90 minutes and we can't waste 15 of it for me to go back and forth. Though the comedy of me falling repeatedly might be worth it.

Chris, No, only the skaters switch ends... but not benches or goalies after each 5 goal mini-game. Just makes it interesting and a little bit of a competition. Also, each side of skaters has to take those few extra strides to get to the bench for every other game.

I like it! Anything for more of a challenge!

Maybe only once in a while for specifically identified games. I don't like it because it removes the incentive for higher level players (in mixed level games) to spread the puck around because scoring is more valuable. Also, one of the best features of JMS is that there's virtually no downtime. Seems also like a lot more pressure on goalies which in turn puts a lot more pressure on defense. I guess if I really wanted Really Intense Competition I would do something other than JMS.

I do think things are fine the way they are... just providing an example.

I don't really care if the teams are even or not. Some nights you win and some nights you lose just like anything else in life. Usually when the other team is better I try to work a little harder. It's just for fun and exercise. The only thing I wish there was once in awhile is a face off. I have never played in a game where anyone gave up because the teams may have been a bit lopsided.

I don't really see why the defense having a little bit of pressure is such a bad thing. That's usually the biggest drawbacks of pickup hockey, that the entire defense suddenly thinks they're Erik Karlsson and then never bother to backcheck. Obviously I don't expect the D to be perfect in pickup but it gets downright embarrassing in some games. As for mixed level games and the elite players distributing the puck, I'm guessing you mean all level games? I suppose those might be the exception to the rule.

I think this sounds like a good idea. As a goalie I often get upset with my team (most often the defense) because they're being too lazy or falling out of position. It's not until I take my mask off and actually yell at them that they actually start trying. And Chris, how does it take you so long to skate to the other end of the ice? Shouldn't take more than 30 seconds...

I should clarify. I am not a normal goalie. i have skated the position twice with JMS. So the going form one end of the ice to the other as a goalie was meant as a joke. Going from my regualr skates to goalie skates was a total shock. I give you guys and girls credit for mastering movement on flat blades with over sized pillows on your legs. Not just going forward, but mving side to side. You do what I can't and I am jealious.

Keep in mind the level of players. One 3 games under my belt. Can't skate well backwards and I do my best on defense. I've seen a few goalies embarrassed being scored on and if that's a problem then I think you are in the wrong league. I do my best but I'm a beginner.