Topic: Goalie responsibilities

[crazy8]

In order of priority:
1). Keep out the slop
2). When the ball enters the goalie zone - retain possession
3). When you have possession - clear the ball at least past the opposing 3-bar
4). Block shots
5). Pass or score

[crazy8]

So, when the offense shoots don’t just try to block the shot. Attempt to keep the ball. Use soft hands so that every block is a turnover. Your job as a goalie is to protect the ball. If you gain control of every ball that enters your zone you’ll have a much better chance of winning.
By the same token, when you pass or shoot from the goalie zone - have a plan. There’s no point in just sending the ball to the other goalie so he can give it to his forward. (Sorry for the sexist pronouns).
A good calm goalie can help his teammate forward concentrate on his own job which is to control the ball up front, then score.
The goalies determine the game’s pace - so take control. 

[crazy8]

Why this priority?
Because, at a high level it is not unusual for both forwards to consistently score whenever they have possession on the 3-bar.  I been in plenty of matches like that.
So, as a goalie - even if you can’t get a single block - you help your team by:
#1 Keeping the slop out. Meaning no free points. This includes continuously tracking the ball with your defenders; it includes not letting balls sneak into the corners of the goal; it includes watching for both 5-bar shots and slop resulting from a bad or blocked pass.

#2 Retaining possession when any ball enters the goalie zone. This is so important because you can limit the number of possessions the opposing forward has. So - fight for the loose balls; control them and thereby control the game.

#3 Clear the ball past the opposing 3-bar.  Don’t hand it to the forward; don’t get stuffed.

If the opposing forward scores every possession but only gets the ball four times - you win,

#4 & #5 are gravy. They don’t make up for failing at the first three.