creasecollector

Go Leafs Go!

Hopeful, but won't be surpised to get hurt again. The way of the Leafs fan...  

On 4/12/2023 at 8:37 PM, Novasteel31 said:

That seems to make sense. Did you go to a 3mm steel or stick with the 4mm? I also currently rock a 1/2" cut on my blades and I'm wondering if that will be to sharp for a 3mm steel based on what I have been reading. Also I'm thinking about the Bauer 3s pro's, if anyone knows can i get a 4mm steel on those?

I went from a 4mm blade to another 4mm blade so it was fine, although the new blade was a StepSteel, which had the added height to get used to which wasn't an issue for me. 

They say when you switch from a 4mm to 3mm, usually you'll need to get a new skate cut hollow too in order to adjust with your new blades/skates. 

Definitely jumping a little bit here. 

A few years ago I went from Bauer 3000's to stiff True/VH skates. My first session with them I thought I had made a terrible mistake.

However, once I made these adjustment, I was good to go:

- I re-baked them as they were new-to-me skates.

- Had to tweak the way I sharpened my skates my moving to a sharper (for me), but overall neutral cut. I currently rock a 5/8 cut.

- Laced the skates differently. Had to skip the top eyelet to give myself the forward ankle flex I needed to move in these stiff skates.

Looks great!!

13 hours ago, johncho said:

For hockey socks I wear the new style non-knit material that facilitates the pads to slide around. I have found XL sizing to be able to slide over my PAW knee pads and keep them from moving.

Agree! I've used some random brand for a beer league team, but how also used the CCM style as well. Great hockey socks.

OP, for hockey socks in my skates, I used the kevlar cut resistant Bauer versions. 

Just went back-to-back last week: winners in 2022 and now 2023. First time doing that! Feels good man. 

Liking that yellow template!

Now that is a sweet bucket.

Edit: Just realized it's missing a red cage to complete the look. Either way, still sweet.

I just received my new Bauer 960 mask. Fits like a glove and is very comfortable. I can't wait to get on the ice with it at some point during the summer!

11 hours ago, dstew29 said:

Sorry just realized my intended post didn’t take! The question was why not the newer vertex (I was expecting the newer vertex holder based on your prior post). Was curious why you didn’t try those out. Looks like they are favored by most True 2-piece users (although admittedly there are still some pros holding out with prior gen cowling vertex like yours). Is the weight difference negligible  vs vertex holder even though it’s a cowling?

 

No problem. 

Honestly, going from a super floppy Bauer 3000 skate that was too small for me and I've worn since I was 13, Any pair of skates was an upgrade at that point.

So instead of buying a new set of cowlingless skates at a retailer or picking up a vertexx holder and running the risk of not liking it, I decided to go "old school" and just stick with what works: a boot and a cowling. Trying modern skates were going to be a big enough adjustment as-is, so it just made sense to keep the learning curve as simple as possible within reason.

Also, I got a great deal on my skates, which is always a plus when searching for new gear as a beer league tender. My next pair of skates will be cowlingless most likely due to the way skate tech is going, which is cool, but until then I will happily enjoy these beauties. 

On 3/24/2023 at 10:34 PM, dstew29 said:

Why?

Because the price was right and was an fantastic update from my older Bauer 3000's. 

I bought these a few years back and they are still going strong. 

On 3/25/2023 at 12:04 AM, Hockey34 said:

You might have to get a 960 as they now fit like the older nme masks did. 

good to hear, thanks for this.

I'm shopping around for a mask as my older NME has done its job well over the years. Sticking with Bauer since i like my current fit and was eying the 960 as well. 

On 3/23/2023 at 11:45 AM, beansbats said:

Almost 57 here, and I am always at the rink really early hoping to get into the room to spend at least a half hour stretching and warming up.  Last night was my >40 draft league, and as I'm sitting in the hallway at 7:55 munching on popcorn (pre-game superstition) waiting for the room for my 9:00 game, a captain from one of the 8:00 teams comes out of his room and asks me if I can play.  Their 38 year old goalie forgot to get up from a nap.  Whoops.  So I got dressed and on the ice one minute into the game, and promptly had to stop a breakaway.  I felt like the tin man after a heavy rain.  Eventually, I warmed up and we ended up winning.  But I was gassed for my game at 9:00.  The 9:00 ended in a 2 - 2 tie and I played a good game.  Normally I'm tired on nights when I play two games but not dead.  I almost fell out of bed this morning because I am so beat up.

Synopsis:  I'm old and need my full pre-game ritual.  At the same time, I'm just happy to still be able to play hockey  

Good on you! Playing a back-to-back and playing well is always a good time. Good for the goalie confidence. The other way, not so much,...

3 hours ago, ZeroGravitas said:

Submitted my order today.

Nice.

On 3/14/2023 at 9:11 AM, CPage said:

I’ve been contemplating doing exactly this ever since I noticed Anton Forsberg’s setup. I’m curious which True boot you decided to go with and how to match up the cowling size with the boot size (cowlings come in a size range if I’m not mistaken?) Was it a big job to get the cowling onto the boot?

These are my wheels. I bought it new-to-me so no installation needed. The cowlings size will fit up to a half size down from the stated size. These are a around a size 6.5-7 skate and the sized 7 cowling fits. I beleive these are the 2nd gen True boots, not the first. 

I went from old Bauer 3000's to a True 2-piece with a Bauer Supreme Vertexx cowling. The different going in was pretty big, but the adjustment wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. A few drop-in skates to get used to the new height and you'll be fine. The biggest adjustment for me was the new stiffness, as my old skates were super soft.

When I was younger, sure. Gear put on the same way, same number of laps before undergoing the same stretching routine in the same area on the ice, etc. 

But now I just focus on eating right before the game and trying not to take the game too seriouslly. While I still have ways to go, this help helped me feel less nervous before games or when the going gets tough in a game. Can't let my mind get clouded with a few things I did/didn't do before a game that has no impact on it at the end of the day. 

Nothing wrong with rituals (like I said, been there myself for years) but there is something freeing about not "needing" to do this or that before a game besides get ready and focus on stopping the puck with as sound technique as possible.

Great example of Price. Thanks for sharing this, been thinking about this exact stuff in my game recently.

Sweet Brians gear dude!

Great tips!

Awesome. thanks for the feedback.

On 1/20/2023 at 8:52 PM, Wake42 said:

I used an old pair lace in knee blocks. Might be worth finding if you can’t find shoulder caps. 

I used something similar but with a soft set of thigh boards from an older set of pads. Used them on part of the arm on my previous C/A. Worked great.

On 1/15/2023 at 1:37 PM, Wonder35 said:

Pre 1990's this was by far the best set of pads and gloves I ever wore, all leather. Rebounds died with 18 inches of me. Shots hardly ever popped out of that Trapper.

Granted, heavier than today's gear (especially late in the game) but as a stand up goaltender there wasn't much up and down, playing on my knees type of movement.

 

Sure, I use more modern equipment now, modern being a subjective term for me.

I dig it.

On 1/14/2023 at 6:44 PM, Rogie said:

A huge +1 to the standardization of leg pad sizing. That's priority #1 because the cost of making a mistake when buying is huge. 

How about the industry offering different size/style arms and chest pads separately so we can mix and match the brand, style and lengths at the store.  All we need is a standardized connection between them (I'll propose a simple velcro strap at the top of each arm that runs through a loop under the shoulder floater),  Come to think of it, I'd like to be able to choose my own shoulder floater too--from any brand.  It'd be like legos. Just combine whatever pieces you like in whatever way you want them.

 

A C/A customization would be really cool, I agree. I don't think it will happen haha, so maybe I'll can stick with a frankenchesty mod if/when the time comes to improve my CCM A/B Pro.