Hockey sticks had become pretty standardized in the National Hockey League, so you don’t see as much personalization in them as you used to.

Lots of players use similar curves, tape and stick length in the league today, which is why it’s so fun to feature when someone does something different. Viktor Arvidsson’s stick isn’t anything too unique, but the way he used it against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 caught the eye of many fans.

Arvidsson was choking up on his stick as he split the D entering the Avs’ zone (WATCH THE GOAL HERE).

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The purpose of this is so he can shield off the defender on his right with his right hand while still having strong control of the puck. When he then goes into shoot the puck, he doesn’t have much time so he just continues to use the stick like a mini stick.

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Fans were pretty impressed.