I’ve seen it done in highlights from US telecasts. I assume it’s an NHL thing, not a Sportsnet thing

Only way to get better is to keep doing it!

My preferred technique is to go by the hinge in the back, and one thing I learned regrettably late was that it works so much better if I wiggle the knife up and down in addition to left and right. I think I learned this after years of struggling.

I am glad I am not the only one to think of the microwave oops