Once a puck goes in, television’s first zoom-in is on the goal scorer. The second is usually of the scored-upon goalie.
In that shot, there’s a good chance the goalie is pulling on his water bottle.
On Oct. 22, Tuukka Rask was in net at TD Garden for the Bruins’ 4-2 win over Toronto. At 4:23 of the second period, Kasperi Kapanen ripped a one-timer past Rask. At 12:54 of the second, Alex Kerfoot fired a shot from the slot over the goalie.
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Sure enough, after each goal, Rask wiggled his right hand free from his blocker, reached for the green Gatorade bottle tucked into the holder in the back of his net and squeezed a stream of water into his mouth.
Some goalies use their water as part of their mental approach. Braden Holtby squirts his bottle skyward and trains his eyes on a droplet. Carter Hart has adopted Holtby’s routine.
As for the liquid that goes into a goalie’s mouth, a goal allowed might convince some puckstoppers to reach for stronger stuff. In reality, the swig is as much an opportunity for a goalie to stay hydrated during a stoppage as it is a chance to reset following a puck not stopped.
“I think it’s probably both,” said Rask. “It’s just a habit, probably, too. But you try to drink every time there’s a break, almost. Just take a sip. You’re constantly drinking because you’re losing so much water during a game.”
At home and on the road, Rask is usually one of the first to arrive at the rink on game day. It might be because he has so much equipment to put on.
By the time Rask is finished strapping on his skates, pads, pants, chest protector, neck guard, glove, blocker, mask and stick, he has fitted himself with nearly 50 pounds worth of gear. He must then fight through 60 minutes of action, sometimes extended by overtime and shootout.
His teammates can drink between whistles when they’re on the bench. Rask cannot. There is no chance for a goalie to turn around and reach for his bottle during play unless he wants a puck to carom in off his butt.
It is a demanding task for the 6-foot-3, 176-pound Rask. By his estimate, he can be five pounds lighter after a game than before. Nonstop activity while being armored up produces rivers of sweat that run even if Rask keeps up his water intake.
“The gear weighs 45 pounds,” Rask said. “You’re jumping up and down for three hours, basically. You take it off at intermission, at least the upper body. But that’s it.”
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Rask’s hydration process starts in advance. The day before he’s scheduled to start, Rask will drink more water than usual. Once the puck is dropped, Rask is mindful about taking a sip at approximately every other stop in play.
Against Toronto, after digging up his crease before the start of each period, Rask took a drink. Once the first puck dropped, the game stopped 59 times for various reasons: goals, penalties, icings, offsides, pucks in the benches. Rask drank during 30 of these 59 stops.
Nine of those stoppages were for TV timeouts. On these occasions, Rask’s hydration routine involved a skate to the bench each time.
As he approached, fellow netminder Jaroslav Halak pulled out three bottles and placed them on the dasher in front of the bench: one full of water, one of Gatorade and one of an electrolyte drink, marked by a ring of tape around the lid.
After lifting his mask and propping it atop his head, Rask took one pull from each of the bottles. He wiped the sweat from his face with a towel Halak placed on the dasher. Rask blew out mucus from each nostril. Then he pulled his mask back on and returned to his crease.
Rask does not prefer water during intermissions. He opts for gels and electrolyte drinks. Even with all the fluids he is taking in, Rask does not have to go to the bathroom between periods.
In fact, there are times he cannot keep up with his water loss. On Oct. 8, at the conclusion of a 31-save performance against Vegas, Rask cramped up so tightly he needed help getting to the dressing room.
It is no wonder, then, that drinking regularly is required, even after allowing a goal.
“You try and stay ahead of it,” Rask said. “Because if you’re getting into dehydration, there’s no way you can catch up. It’s just, ‘You’re done.’ ”
(Photo: Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
I'm a hockey enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in the game, particularly the experiences of goaltenders. The article you shared provides insights into the goaltender Tuukka Rask's hydration routine during a game. Let me break down the key concepts discussed:
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Post-Goal Ritual:
- After a goal is scored, the first camera focus is on the goal scorer, and the second is typically on the goaltender.
- The article mentions Tuukka Rask, the Bruins' goaltender, and describes his routine of reaching for his water bottle after each goal.
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Hydration as a Mental Approach:
- Some goalies, like Braden Holtby and Carter Hart, incorporate their water bottle routine as part of their mental preparation.
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Purpose of Hydration:
- The act of taking a sip from the water bottle serves a dual purpose: staying hydrated during stoppages and resetting after conceding a goal.
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Goaltender's Equipment and Weight:
- Tuukka Rask wears nearly 50 pounds worth of gear, including skates, pads, pants, chest protector, neck guard, glove, blocker, mask, and stick.
- The demanding nature of goaltending results in significant weight loss during a game, with Rask estimating up to five pounds lighter after playing.
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Challenges of Hydration During Play:
- Unlike other players who can drink between whistles on the bench, goaltenders like Rask face challenges in accessing their water bottle during active play.
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Pre-Game Hydration Preparation:
- Rask's hydration routine begins the day before a game, where he drinks more water than usual in preparation for the physical demands.
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In-Game Hydration Frequency:
- Rask is mindful of taking a sip at approximately every other stop in play, ensuring consistent hydration during the game.
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TV Timeouts and Hydration Breaks:
- The article details Rask's routine during TV timeouts, where he skates to the bench for a hydration break, facilitated by fellow netminder Jaroslav Halak providing water, Gatorade, and electrolyte drinks.
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Intermission Hydration:
- Rask opts for gels and electrolyte drinks during intermissions, highlighting the specific hydration needs of goaltenders.
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Dehydration Concerns:
- Rask emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of dehydration, as catching up once dehydrated becomes challenging during a game.
This comprehensive approach to hydration provides a unique perspective on the physical demands and mental preparation required for goaltenders in hockey.
