Why Not Wood?

So I'm watching the Caps and Pens tonight, and I see Pittsburgh score the first goal of the game on a power play, an effort aided by the fact Washington penalty killer Brooks Laich had his stick broken by a shot just before the goal was scored by Sidney Crosby. Nothing looks more awkward than a fellow trying to kill a penalty with no stick.

Big deal, right? A zillion sticks get busted a game, sometimes wrecking golden scoring opportunities.

But, I says to myself, a penalty killer doesn't necessarily need the benefits these fancy new carbon fibre/plutonium/kryptonite weapons give your everyday player when he's trying to score or shoot.

He just needs to kill the penalty.

So why not wood? Why wouldn't guys on the PK use wooden sticks, far less likely to be broken, and then switch back to the uranium models they usually use for 5-on-5 play or power play duty?

Surely, your garden variety penalty killer can ice the puck just as well with a wooden stick, and if a shorthanded scoring opportunity does come up, well, they used to score with wood, didn't they?

And you'd never have to worry about getting stuck out there with a busted stick. Well, almost never.

Just an idea. No charge.

Comments

[Down Goes Brown]

I've been wondering this myself. And why not have everyone switch over to wood sticks when defending a lead in the final minute of a close game? Do you really need those extra few mph on a slapshot when the other team's goalie is on the bench?

[Pal Hal Pall]

I agree; in fact, I'll take it one step further: though they never will, the league should ban composite sticks. Allowing them is the equivalent of allowing corked or aluminum bats in baseball, and on top of that, it's making it all the more expensive for kids to play hockey (for god forbid they don't use what the pros are using). I heard that Martin Brodeur is the only goalie that still uses wood, and that even he's switching soon. Why in the hell would a goalie need a composite?

[eyebleaf]

Yeah, this makes sense. Which means it won't happen.

[Dave]

As with most of your suggestions, Danien, this just makes too much sense to ever happen.

When it comes to the way the game is governed and coached at the NHL level, always keep this in mind: "He who expects nothing is never disappointed."

[Peter]

wow, for a change Damien makes sense. :-) good point.

[Weaps]

Pal Hal: Goalies benefit a tonne because of the reduced weight. Plus you might have noticed that goalies don't factor into too many slapshots and one-timers, so the fragility is less of an issue.

[Devil's Advocate]

It is a good idea. The only foreseeable problem is that the different sticks have a different feel and there are slight adjustments that have to be made when going from wood to composite or the other way. Anyone who has played with either for a long time and switch to the other will tell you there is definitely an adjustment period. Now suppose a guy has been using a composite all game and then grabs his wood stick to kill a penalty. He gets the puck in his own end and winds up for a long clearing attempt...only he whiffs on the puck or doesn't get enough wood on the puck. The opposing team picks up the errant clearing attempt and walks in on a break away to put their team up a goal with under a minute left in the 3rd period of game 7 in the Stanley Cup final?...Should have stuck with the stick he was confortable with and played with all game?

[Jeff]

Well there it is. Damien - your a fricken genius. I have a composite stick from 2004 and it still aint broke. The cost at the time was $250. Last year I bought the same stick (colour, name and pattern) but it was only $89. Why? Made in China. That stick lasted a grand total of 3 shinny games.

[Chico Mesch]

I can see the pros using the composites to gain whatever advantage they can, but come on, do 9 and 10 year olds need to take advantage of the technology in order to gain that edge in House League? Actually, if you watch the actions of some of the parents at those games, I guess that might explain it...

[Pal Hal Pall]

Weaps: Fair enough, I hadn't thought about the weight issue, though I doubt that for a professional athlete the weight of a wooden goalie stick would be all that prohibitive. And when I have kids, goalie or not, I don't look forward to having to buy them composite sticks.

[Gus Bradley]

I mentioned this to the local sports talk station a while ago and got no response. Here in Vancouver I've seen games lost because Willy Mitchell's stick broke. Why does Willy need a stick that will add, what, 10% to his shot? I used to work in the ski business and ski manufactures would make different skis for different types of skiing (slalom, GS, downhill, powder) why doesn't a manufacturer come out with a stronger defensive model.