I remember reading an article before the Sochi olympics talking about the differences the NA goaltenders would face going to a larger sheet. It also spent some time talking about what it is like the other way when coming to the NHL.
It’s really more of a difference in changing mental tracking habits. For one thing, in NA you face less shots from the “extreme” angles (goal line, boards etc.) and more from the slot, so you have to be more cognizant of your glove and blocker position at all times. You also spend your whole International career establishing “mental marks” for shooting angles as you move laterally across your crease, because at a certain point, the angle is cut off period and any further just exposes the far-side of the net. Even though the mechanics are still technically the same, optically, the boards being closer can make goalies second guess or misread these marks, especially when trying to time hitting an angle at faster NA speeds.
The crux of the article was that it wasn’t really a big difference but goalies could get in trouble by over thinking their angles instead of just trusting their in-game instincts and adjusting to the pace of play.
Judging on how quickly Sherry adjusted between the first practice and the last scrimmage, I think he will be fine.
