luked

I agree. A lot of the custom masks fit close to the bars, that usually comes from user fit preference etc. not necessarily the mask build. Some goalies years ago wore their mask so close to the bars I can't imagine them getting hit in the cage period, kinda scary. (manny fernandez comes to mind) That being said, I feel as though the center bar is the backbone of the cage. The cage should be a crumble zone, but a strong backbone makes sense to me... again, this is completely speculative, I'm not a mechanical engineer. Also, the thing that I never understood regarding goalie masks was the interior padding. It's true across multiple disciplines, that you want to have the most snug fit without any voids between the helmet padding and the user's head... but we're seeing things like MIPS and other technologies elsewhere that haven't really been adapted, if at all possible. CCM has "fluid inside" (like the old maltese gel?) type padding I think? I would love to see how that is vs. normal rubatex. The study is interesting but really there's not a ton of context to it. Like someone said earlier, what's acceptable?

I can’t speak for Sportmask, but having known Dom for 20 something years, he made the flat bar years ago to help prevent a bent center bar. The tri cage was his next version of it in an attempt to make it stronger. I would guess Sportmask did it for similar/the same reason

Similar situation as you. I have my old pro return Reebok PS1 (black and yellow one) that I just keep having rebuild by Salvi here in Massachusetts every few years. It kills rebounds. Granted, when I wait too long in between rebuilds, I get bruised and hurt...like what's happening now. I would find someone to rebuild what you have to the specs you want