The Buffalo Sabres are good again, so let’s talk about Dominik Hasek

Dominik Hasek was known for his eccentric style of goaltending. He is long-retired now, but his style of play is alive and well on the streets.

Dominik Hasek played the goaltender position like nobody else in the game ever has. This is most likely because it’s nearly impossible to mimic his style of play, let alone at the highest level in sports.

The Dominator’s style was to not really have a set style. He flailed his arms and legs, stacked his pads, rolled back and forth across the crease and rushed oncoming players, forcing them to either make a decision or get sent flying head over heels.

There’s no shortage of amazing footage throughout the follow six-minute clip, but the most incredible stuff is on display from the 2:44 to 3:20 minute mark.

Hasek is one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. He rocks a career .922 save percentage (current best all-time) and a 2.20 goals against average. He is a six-time Vezina Trophy winner, a two-time Hart Trophy winner and a two-time Stanley Cup champion.

Considering how he played the game, these numbers are incredible. Hasek did to NHL players what your dad did to you and your siblings in the driveway. It’s a style of play that we no longer see in the world of increased analytics, coaching, statistics, etc. There is, however, one last place where you can find these Hasek-style goaltenders: The streets.

Road hockey, shinny, street hockey or whatever you and your friends call it is the best part of winter. Braving the cold, crushing your friends into snow banks, firing rock-hard tennis balls at full speed and sipping on half-frozen slush beers that have been in the snow for too long.

Everyone who plays winter road hockey knows one person who is crazy enough to strap up the pads and take-on those frozen tennis ball slap shots. This person likely grew up idolizing Hasek.

You already know the description: The person is probably way too big for the pads they use, they often trade in their trapper for a baseball glove and there’s a good chance they have very minimal face protection, if any. Most importantly, they live for the Hasek-like moments.

Your road hockey goaltenders will stack their undersized street hockey pads whenever they get the chance. They somehow deny your scoring chances with flailing arms and legs then they get in your face about it. If you find yourself on a break, they’re meeting you half way. They probably even rock the self-proclaimed “Dominator” nickname.

Next time you’re out playing road hockey, thank Dominik Hasek for providing the style that will live on through you and your friends on frozen rinks, roads and parks across the world. Thank Hasek for being the greatest goaltender of all time by playing like a complete lunatic. Thank Hasek for the seemingly random kicks, flails, rolls and dives. Without him, your road hockey games would be boring.

Most importantly, thank your own version of the Dominator for their willingness to get pelted by frozen balls or pucks. These types of players only come around so often.