RichMan

@bunnyman666 keep putting up posts at this record rate and we're going to have to declare a Bunnyman666's Posts Day When I first went no-cowling with the Vapors, it was an automatic 3mm. I tried to get used to them for 2 seasons and something was missing. I got me some 4mm Stepsteel blades during the lockdown and after 2 sessions, my only complaint is them not being sharp enough. And I even had a profile done on them. I'll do a light sweet stick pass on them to see if that helps. Sure thing is that my feet feel a little more stable or anchored in them. Having just come back to the ice after 16 months off doesn't help matters much either lolll

Hope you find solace soon. Have you considered a job/career change? I know you used to be in the composite/cycling field. I know it's a very competitive field and expensive and with the Chinese knock offs that are cheaper yet questionable in durability and safety... Anyways, I'm sure you'll find the right solution for you

Stress can not only wear you down, it can make you ill, ignite lifelong health issues, trigger diseases and even downright kill you if left ignored. If you are a person that struggles with handling stress, seek a healthier environment, make the right changes in your physical, mental, nutritional life, relationships etc. Learn to breath, learn to count, learn to not let the world become your problem and your issues. Smile a lot and say thank you even more for what is good in your life and more good things will follow. "Thoughts become things, choose the right ones - The Universe"

I can't afford GAS, then again I'm also vegan lolll

So the next morning of my game I had a close look at my stick and noticed that already the fiberglass on the blade is lifting at a few areas, not something you would expect from one game at a low-mid beer league. Might just be a dud, we'll see. I did reach out to JRZ with pics and asked for a replacement. I'm waiting for a reply. As for your question @bunnyman666 , I believe the top shaft is all wood. The paddle seems your regular mix. Maybe the following pic of the natural looking stick shows it?

Budaj pro-return from Tampa. Glove is either a practice or pro palm. Hard for me to tell as I never owned one before. Much harder to close than my Warrior SR GT. It's a little on the heavy side as well. A 60 degree break. Blocker is very light. They are basically the Bauer 9000. Made by JRZ in Québec. They're in good condition, mostly just puck marks, no smell, insides pristine. Only tested the blocker once. Asking 300$ CAD, e-transfer accepted. I'm in the Gatineau/Ottawa area.

Don't eyeball them, just lace up the skates, put on your knee pads and strap on the pads. Do some butterfly drops and decide from there. That'll be 150$ please (consultation fees)

BUMP!!!! Chest still available.

Got this stick as a Father's Day gift. Been wanting to check them out for a while and my son was quick enough to pull out detail info from me and pretending it was for a buddy of his without my noticing anything lolll. Had a chance to use it last night in my first game in a year and a half. My other sticks are Sher-woods foamcore in 26" and were getting banged up pretty good. With the JRZ I decided to go back to a 25" after a decade and test my stance and puck playing ability. So I had no issues with my stance, unfortunetally I didn't get any real opportunity to play the puck. The stick isn't too heavy but not very light either (I'll get the weight for you later). The grip is fine. I'd love to experiment with all the different paddle cuts and mods out there to help with my stick/blocker angle positionning but that will be on the older woods first. I didn't cut the upper shaft down as I wasn't sure about the 25" paddle yet and the effect on my hip flexibility (or lack of) and since I didn't get a chance to really handle and/or shoot the puck, I'm going to wait on this to see. The blade is what seems to be a toe curve? Not sure but I ussually prefer a straight curve. I did deflect 2 shots into the opposite corners and avoided any ramping shots over my gloves or pads. The full verdict isn't out just yet but I will update in a few more games how I really feel about it. Richard

So I bought these during the season lockdown and had a chance to finally try them out last night at my first official game in nealy a year and a half. The other knee protection I own are the ReasonY 260 and the Bauer 1X. Why I decided to buy yet another brand/model was because of occasional bruises I was getting on my thighs. This Optik knee pad is quite well made. I was always hesitant about these 3 piece models because they take lots of room in the knee cradle. I'm still rocking a more traditional type leg pads and well, that just how it is for now. What attracted me to this model was particularly how the plates are segmented and not a one piece half moon like structure. Given that aspect, it allows for a more narrow fit in the leg pads and in my pants all the while still wrapping my leg sufficiently to offer the needed protection top to bottom and side to side. They are light, the velcro straps are built strong yet allow enough stretch for bending my large legs. I'm using my velcro tab garter belt that came with my Bauers to help hold them up under my uniform socks. Given how the top of the knee pads are equiped with 2 seperate small loops, I simply used a skate lace to create a bridge between those 2 loops and attach the garter strap to that bridge. So with my set-up, the knees stayed well in place during the game and gave me no issues whatsover. I can't speak of protection as I didn't really get a shot there yet to confirm anything. My only confirmation to it's protection level is my witnessing them being the go-to choice of Kassimir Kaskisuo. For those of you who might not have heard of him yet, he was a goalie in the Leafs system and then got traded to the Preds. Now with the Preds out of contention, he was released and has now signed with a team in the SHL overseas. He's got a Youtube channel as well as an Instagram one. Had the chance to exchange with him a little and he's a nice guy. And there you go. If you have any questions, shoot away. Please be patient with my answering time as my laptop is malfunctionning and I can't kidnap my better half's laptop everytime cause of her business duties. Richard

So who has jumped on the Bauer 3X line? User feedback?

@sescaro The first pic stands out more, old school North Stars Do inform me (us) how much upcharge will it be for the custom colours please.

If I had a regular team for the remainder of my playing days, I would go team colours. Then again, I can`t help but want to show my pledge to my Habs. In saying so, if I was buying full custom, I definitely would go Habs colours. If buying off the shelf, I would go red and white, that way I can represent my Habs when playing shinny and then match with most other teams when subbing or in a league. Now should I become rich soon, I might go 2-3 same sets but different team according colours. If anything the safest colours for any team would be all white or all black or all tan.

So if I wear a 9 in my Vapors, I can get away with 8.5 in True? I will still ask the shops to make sure but first hand accounts are always interesting. Thanks

Why don`t you say what you really feel man

Is sizing the same as Bauers?

You are right, all produced by JRZ. Quality products.

Has anyone had a chance to look up in person the Bauer Elite model? Is it a 6000/9000 re-issue? https://www.thehockeyshop.com/collections/goalie-chest-protectors/products/bauer-elite-senior-chest-arm-protector?variant=31992604557378

I will second Coops words. Count yourself lucky you do not have a wife and kids, a mortgage and a car, credit card debts, blah blah blah. As suggested, you will have to sit down and clarify your priorities. What are your future plans? How important is school for you? Can you survive and reach your goals without it? Some people have big dreams that necessitate that big diploma, some others make it by just getting out there and hustling hard. This is your choice and responsibility. You have a job right now and that is good. I lost mine in January and I am still searching. Not easy times we are going through. I do not know how the hockey system works down there but maybe you can find a NCAA contact to help you with your playing development. Working out and conditioning can be done in a more efficient and shorter way to maximize results whilst getting more free time for the other important stuff like eating and sleeping . Maria Mountain or DK Mobility could offer some tips in the off-ice scheduling part. Just remember this: if it were easy, the little successes would not feel as sweet I will come back with a few poscast suggestions to help you sort out your head. In the meantime, chin up and keep grinding.

@Kayen if you are in the US you could look up Pure Hockey as they have the Sezzle payment program which I have used here in Canada through The Hockey Shop. It is broken down in 4 even payments done every 2nd week. A lot easier to swallow and gives you room to stay on top of your other responsibilities. Hopefully that can help.

I`m starting this thread cause going into each brand to say the same thing or comparing brand within another brand just seemed stupid so, here it is. I want to use this space to talk about non-pro level gear, the pros and cons, the good, the bad and the ugly. The past 2 years it seems like senior level gear has stepped up a grade and is no longer considered just a price point market. Warrior kicked off this campaign with their G/GT senior lines that were for the most part, as close as it gets to pro level gear in terms of performance and protection minus the price tag. Now for 2021 you have Bauer that has the 3X line that could be a close rival if not equal to Warrior for the same reasons. All this is in talking about the pads, gloves, pants and chest protector. My personal experience has been with the senior GT gloves. Quite better than I had ever expected. I would love to see if the GT2 is as good if not better. I`ve been reading a lot about the new Bauer 3X line and according to InGoal Mag vlogs, they have brought it up a notch and even have some colour customization available for a slight up-charge. I cannot speak of Brian`s or CCM or Vaughn as I have not had the chance to see and try anything and have not read reviews yet either as they haven`t caught my attention much so far. This has gotten me to wonder if downgrading my gear would be a smart move for new gear given the lower prices. For example, although I own a pro GT2 c/a, I do find it massive and was maybe considering the Bauer Senior Elite model. Would it be crazy of me to do so? Not sure but the more streamline Bauer model has my attention and the reviews seem positive so far. After all, unless I get a chance at becoming an EBUG at the young age of 52, I am pretty sure my Beer League status and the few playing years I have left might not necessarily need pro level gear anymore. So what have you tried lately at the senior level that you think is worth mentioning or bragging about? Keep it civil please! We all have our opinions and should respect others.

Nice work! I have a Budaj JRZ pro return that could use similar tweaking. Where are you based out of?

The senior/senior + thing is confusing and unnecessary IMO. Its like Vaughn senior/pro/pro carbon. Why not just keep things simple for everyone and make it Pro/Senior/Intermediate/Junior/Youth. It would also make it cost effective for the company. This is just my thoughts. With the success of their G5 and GT2 lines, I cannot see how much more they could innovate.

Sheifele is a douche. His intentions were very clear, his frustration the whole game was the ultimate build-up to it. Getting into a fight would of been better for both sides. The 4 days isn't enough IMO. If it goes to 7 games, a possible payback might be expected, but then again Montreal doesn't want to screw up their run with a stupid move that could cost them the series. We will see how it pans out I guess.