Quick Thoughts on Zone 4

The right face off circle area that Zone 4 covers, represents a shot from a player streaking down the left side of the ice or cycling out of the corner. Depth wise the zone starts at the end of the goalies crease and ends near the boards at a radius of 45 feet.

A player should focus on moving across the ice horizontally in this zone. It gets the goaltenders feet moving and opens up the five hole. A quick wrist shot is ideal in this siutation. However this area is a low percentage shot. As you get closer to the goal line the probability of scoring goes down to zero.

"If I run out of room early in the game I will fire a shot past the goalie's head to set the tone."----Bobby Hull

Hockey Scoring Tips from Zone 4

(descending order of highest goal scoring probability vs a butterfly goalie from Zone 4)

3 . Upper Right Hand Corner

Goal scorers shoot to the upper left hand corner when the skating room is running out. The shot has an opportunity to go in and if it does you'll make the highlight, but most likely it's done to effect the goalies psyche. Bobby Hull was famous for this shot.. It's known as a wasted shot that pays dividends later in the game.

5. Five-Hole

A goalie is taught to aggresively play this angle. But entering this zone with speed and cutting to the middle will force the goalie to move his feet. This opens up the five hole. Although not as pronounced as Zone 2, this is still a great shot because of the rebounds it creates. Players crashing the net will be hungry for a rebound.

6. Lower Right Hand Corner

The lower right hand corner represents the best probability of scoring from this zone. Most goalies will crowd the inside goal post which leaves little room to shoot short side. This will expose the lower left hand corner. A shot from this zone usually occurs in an offensive rush situation, so miss at the goalie's pads. This creates a rebound opportunity for players crashing the net.