In hockey, momentum is more than just a buzzword. It is an energy shift that can make a team feel unstoppable or leave them scrambling to regain control. Momentum has the power to influence not just the flow of the game, but also the mindset and confidence of every player on the ice. For teenage hockey goalies and players aspiring to reach their full potential, understanding how to handle momentum, both when it’s in your favor and when it’s not, is critical to consistent and effective performance.
What Is Momentum?
Momentum in hockey is the invisible force that shifts the energy of a game. When a team scores a big goal, makes a game-changing save, or delivers a critical hit, their energy rises while the opposing team’s energy may drop. This shift can elevate your focus, teamwork, and effort—or, when the momentum isn’t in your favor, it can create doubt, frustration, or panic.
The good news? Momentum is never permanent. It is always shifting, and your actions can influence where it goes.
How to Play Effectively With Momentum
When you have momentum on your side, it feels like everything is clicking. Passes connect, shots find the back of the net, and confidence soars. But momentum is fragile. Here’s how to maintain it:
1. Stay Focused on the Present Shift
- Momentum can make players overconfident or overly excited, leading to mistakes. Don’t let the energy of the moment take you out of your game. Focus on one shift at a time, making every pass, save, or shot count.
2. Stick to What’s Working
- Identify what created the momentum and keep doing it. Was it aggressive forechecking, effective communication, or quick transitions? Stay disciplined and avoid trying to do too much.
3. Bring Energy to the Bench
- Encourage your teammates, celebrate successes, and stay vocal. Momentum is contagious, and the energy you bring to the team can help sustain it.
4. Control What You Can
- Your effort, attitude, and execution are always within your control. Focus on these factors rather than worrying about whether momentum will last.
How to Play Effectively Without Momentum
When momentum shifts to the other team, it’s easy to feel frustrated or defeated. But losing momentum does not mean losing the game. Here is how to get it back:
1. Focus on One Shift at a Time
- The game is not lost because of a bad stretch. Treat each shift as a fresh opportunity to make a difference. Whether you are making a critical save, blocking a shot, or winning a puck battle, your next action matters..
2. Simplify Your Game
- Do not try to force big plays to “win back” momentum. Instead, focus on simple, smart hockey—clear the zone effectively, make safe passes, and maintain good positioning. Stay disciplined and avoid trying to do too much.
4. Create a Spark
- One play can change everything. A big save, a critical hit, or a hard-fought shift can be the catalyst your team needs to turn things around. Be the player who steps up to shift the energy.
5. Control Your Energy
- Whether you are riding the high of momentum or grinding through the low, your energy level and mindset are within your control. Use positive self-talk, focus on your breathing, and reset your mental focus between shifts.
Why Focusing on What’s Within Your Control Matters
Hockey is unpredictable. Puck bounces, referee calls, and the opposing team’s efforts are beyond your control. But your effort, attitude, and execution are always within your control. By focusing on these, you can influence momentum in your favor, even when external circumstances are challenging.
Momentum can shift in an instant, but the players who stay present and maintain their composure are
the ones who can seize it and sustain it. Remember, every shift is an opportunity to reset and refocus.
One Shift at a Time Mentality
The key to handling momentum effectively lies in adopting a one shift at a time mentality. The present moment is where hockey happens, it is where you can make a save, win a battle, or take a shot. Thinking too far ahead or dwelling on the last shift pulls you out of the present and diminishes your performance.
As a hockey player or goalie, your ability to stay present and control your energy is what separates good players from great ones. Momentum will always ebb and flow, but by focusing on what is within your control, you can make sure you’re always ready to make an impact—no matter which way the momentum is swinging.
Stay focused, stay present, and remember you control your energy and actions, no matter the
momentum.
Let’s make every shift count!
