When Eli Jarvis is left alone behind the net good things happen.
Normally you’d expect him to find brother Ian Jarvis, or linemate and former pro Jordan Draper with a pass for a good shot, but the former Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League player has found a new way to generate offense.
Twice this season during Central Interior Hockey League games, Jarvis has scored using a move called the Michigan. The move is pulled off when a player presses his stick down flat onto the puck behind the net and uses momentum to fling the puck into the top corner of the net.
“I tried it throughout minor hockey, but I was never able to do it in a real game until this year,” he said.
“It’s a cool and different way hockey is going. There are a lot of guys trying some cool things out there. I thought I’d try it out and it worked out pretty good.”
Moves like Michigan-style goals are becoming more common across all levels of hockey, and might even spark a change in how defenders approach players behind the net.
“It used to be not that popular of a move, now you look at highlights and it’s happening all over the world,” Jarvis said.
“It’s a cool way to score because nobody really expects it and it’s hard to defend.”
The line of the Jarvis Brothers and Jordan Draper has been lighting up the CIHL, helping power the Quesnel Kangaroos to second place in the league standings.
READ MORE: Quesnel line of the Jarvis brothers and Jordan Draper power Roos past Hazelton 10-2
“Draper’s a great player, he played pro for a lot of years, and he brings that experience,” Jarvis said.
“My brother, we’ve played forever on the backyard rink or playing in a league like this. It’s good to play with your brother. It’s been fun so far.”
Jarvis and the Kangaroos will look to lock up home ice advantage in the first round of the CIHL playoffs in their final two games of the season. They host the Terrace Ice Kings on Friday, Feb. 11 and the Nechako North Stars on Saturday, Feb. 12. Both games will be at the West Fraser Centre.
READ MORE: Quesnel Kangaroos split weekend games
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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