Why do goalies wear down the ice in the pattern that they do before each period?
l mean, within the crease.

they make it rough after the zamboni for a better push from side to side.

Because when the ice is ''chewed up the puck does not move as fast. It could actually prevent a puck from crossing the goal line. They also use the snow they make to put around the goal posts, again it could stop a puck from going across the line.

it creates friction. slows the puck down.

First off l am an ice hockey goalie and it is for a lot of reasons, one being tradition, another being to create a better sliding surface for your skate. (Especially when they really flood the ice bad)

They do not push snow on the post to slow it down! That is a penalty! They push the snow on the OUTSIDE of the post to keep the crease a sliding surface.

So l hope it helped,

SK 101

the ice is very slick after the zamboni and the goalie roughs up the crease so that he has better traction. it is easier for him to push off of the rough ice surface than it is for him/her to push off of the slick surface. also if the goalie goes down on his/her knees to make a save and the ice is slick they will slide and basically miss the spot they want to be. when the ice is roughed up they wont slide as much and they can make the save in the spot they want.

l am an Aussie mate, we have real sport lol

Maybe to get better control with the feet, l really do not have a clue mate