Goalies admit to feeding off music: Five songs to amp up your team's defense

Science says guitars and pucks are linked, so maybe Ozzy and Metallica are key to better play in the net

By Cody Benjamin

Mar 30, 2017 at 8:02 pm ET • 2 min read

If you haven’t heard by now, music can have a powerful effect on how we act, think and feel.

And as Kevin Woodley, citing studies from sports psychology consultant Ted Monnich, makes clear in a dive into music’s impact on the ice, music’s influence doesn’t end for the guys manning the net in the NHL.

In fact, a slew of goaltenders, including top-level defenders like the Washington Capitals’ Braden Holtby, have gone on record to attribute some of their game-day success to music. Some, as you’d expect, think a good pump-up soundtrack can do them well. Others, like Holtby and the New York Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist, are self-proclaimed musicians in their spare time, bringing sound to life with their own puck-saving hands.

Here’s Monnich, via Woodley:

The goalie’s trigger is seeing the puck come off the stick. The musician’s trigger is usually the preceding bar or stanza of music, hearing it, hearing the patterns, and that triggers the next response in their hands. We are dialing in a portion of the central nervous system that does the same thing, or has some relation. One reinforces the other. Playing music reinforces catching pucks.

Whoa.

“Playing music reinforces catching pucks.”

Who knew it was so simple? Goalies, get to it.

And in the meantime, here are five songs to consider picking up -- or just blaring as you skate to the net, whichever you prefer -- to better your team’s defense:

1. “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne

Ah, yes. The intro alone, so obviously overused but historic nonetheless, is enough to say, “I’m crazy. Now go ahead and try to score a goal on me.”

2. “Purple Rain” by Prince and The Revolution

A soothing complement to the wildness of Ozzy. Perhaps this one is best reserved for post-game victory cool-downs or the mental preparation before the pre-game skate. Accompany this with a daydream of slow-motion puck catches, and it all makes sense.

3. “Back in Black” by AC/DC

The opening guitar riff and the recognizable beat that follows are too legendary to ignore. The Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings and other clubs with black jerseys in their arsenal get extra credit if they go with this one.

4. “Beat It” by Michael Jackson

Eddie Van Halen’s solo ensures there is no shortage of old-fashioned guitar power, which we know is exactly what’s fueling the best of saves in the net. Opposing goal scorers? Beat it.