<Li> Ice hockey portal </Li> <P> An ice hockey stick is a piece of equipment used in ice hockey to shoot, pass, and carry the puck across the ice . Ice hockey sticks are approximately 150--200 cm long, composed of a long, slender shaft with a flat extension at one end called the blade . The blade is the part of the stick used to contact the puck, and is typically 25 to 40 cm long . Stick dimensions can vary widely, as they are usually built to suit a particular player's size and preference . The blade is positioned at roughly a 135 ° angle from the axis of the shaft, giving the stick a partly' L - shaped' appearance . The shaft of the stick is fairly rigid, but it has some flexibility to benefit some shots . </P> <P> The blade is slightly curved in one direction, either way, to aid in retaining or lifting the puck off the playing surface . This can be to the left or right, depending on the player's shooting orientation . </P> <P> The goaltender has a slightly modified stick . The lower part of the stick is wider, the angle is smaller, and the blade is slightly curved towards the direction of the play . New goaltender sticks also are made of the same composite technology as used in regular sticks . </P>

What does the curve on a hockey stick do
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