JMS Hockey

We are looking for a few goalies for our inline hockey league that plays at Highland and Hopkins in the Spring, Summer and Fall. We currently have 2 teams in our bronze level on Thursdays at Highland looking for goalies including this evening, 6/13, and one goalie for Hopkins this evening. Inline hockey, or roller hockey, is played 4 on 4 with no icing and no offsides. Information about league can be found on our web site at www.minnesotainlinehockey.com and our email address is minnesotainlinehockey@hotmail.com Please direct inquires to 651-354-7310. Thank you! Greg Mergens

If anyone wants any info about the difference between goal for roller vs. ice, feel free to ask away. I've played both ice and roller (both goalie and defense) for the better part of 15-20 years. Greg does an awesome job running the inline league, and it's a great group of guys to play with! - Nate H.

Beginner question here: how the heck do you stop on inlines?

controlled crash?

I've seen some skaters pull off a hockey stop on inline skates. Otherwise a t stop seems to work well too. Add a goalie I never got going fast enough to need a fancy stop. I used the net and the boards.

I'm in! I have some old goalie leg pads I could use. i'm emailing Greg right now.

Stopping in roller hockey is equal parts art and science. The art of of it is being able to turn your outside foot quickly enough and at the right angle so your wheels slide a little bit on the floor. The science to it is having the right wheels (soft or x-soft depending on your weight and type of floor) that will grip the floor and your ability to shift your weight at the right time. It definitely takes some time to master, but I assure you it's possible, and once you've got it down, you'll use it consistently (not unlike a hockey stop on ice). The only downside to a t-stop is it'll have the tendency to grind your wheels down in odd places on the wheel, and potentially cause a blowout (rubber being pulled off the core of the wheel). It works, but it's not without some risks.

Also - if you're concerned about your goal gear getting damaged, I can tell you I've been using the same pads to play both ice and roller for as long as I've played. The floor has never done any damage to my pads/gloves/etc. The concrete we skate on is incredibly smooth, and though we don't have it, the plastic sport court I grew up playing on is even better. The biggest adjustment you'll need to make is for the inability to slide on the concrete. After you try to do it once or twice, you'll remember not to, and your knees will thank you for it. ;)