Wonder35

Nice Save Brody

Good Memory Willy. Exactly 3 years ago I had full knee replacement surgery at age 69. My surgeon strongly suggested that I retire from goaltending. So, I sold my nearly new BROWN gear, pads, gloves, pants and hit the bike, aquafit classes, yoga, shed some tonnage and one year later got back between the pipes. Smart is not one of my redeeming qualities. My all leather , 10+ year old Battram set of pads and gloves had been relegated to the wall hangers. They became my go to gear, beautiful, well made equipment but on the heavy side. A few weeks ago these V3's became available, cost free. I cleaned them, replace the toe ties with buckles and was off to the races. The Vaughns are 1/3 the weight and fit well. The Battrams will go back on the wall and are promised to my grandson. See below, Battrams and Browns, same pose.

A few keen eyes have asked about my background poster. I used to buy/sell vintage guitars and amps, kept a couple for myself. The poster is my son’s band, formed in the 90’s and still rockin’. The Scrotes

I much prefer the all red front with a hint of white trim. The Jimi Hendrix inspired stock graphics in white would have been hard on the eyes ..................... "purple haze runs thru my brain ....."

What have I got? These V3’s were purchased 7-8 years ago as a spare set for our club. They have languished in our team locker at the rink, used very sparingly. One of our goalies has since donated a newer, taller set of pads. These Vaughn are now mine. The toe and boot buckles are my preference and the stock thigh guards were removed. The advertised length of 33+2 is no longer valid. They have settled. I am 5’ 7” on a good day and they are a good fit. The name ZASTRE is stitched on the side panels. Anyone know a goaltender named ZASTRE? Anyway, give me what you got. Teach the ignorant.

That trip was a challenge to your stamina, way to go!

Such a special time in your lives. The Commonwealth Rejoices!

Yes, I have been triple vaccinated, as has my wife. We are not restaurant or bar people. But with so many people being infected with the Omicron virus it isn't realistic to think that it can't get to us. I will take the required precautions but refuse to abandon living my life. My infected hockey buddies are experiencing mild symptoms.

Our team has experienced its first two COVID positive testings over the weekend. A pair of our regulars are enduring a 5 day quarantine as a result. As we gathered outside the arena this morning we made a group decision to suspend our 3 games scheduled for this week.

And here is my Harrison, circa 1985, with this current respray done by Greg in 1991. MODERATORS - PLEASE DELETE THIS POST AS IT IS A REPEAT FROM PAGE 1 OF THIS THREAD, sorry.

I played today with my newer Grafs. They were very comfortable. Similar to my 20+ year old Grafs, I could feel a touch of abrasion from my ankle bone rubbing against the boot. I will cut a thin strip of 1/4" foam and attach it to the inside area of the 2 top eyelets, punch a couple of holes to allow the skate lace to pass through and Bob's your uncle. Again, thanks to all for your suggestions and critiques. Both were appreciated. I wear these skates with the Bauer cowling. I recall getting my first pair of CCM Tack goal skates in the 60's. The cowlings consisted of a massive slab of black leather.

I am still learning the vernacular. The Bauer holder currently on my "new" Grafs is without any inside cowling. Does this absence not qualify as without cowlings? I have been wearing my 20 year old Grafs since new, only skates I possess. Until now. I don't know what year my new Grafs were made. But I do know they are a significant upgrade to my leather Grafs. Many thanks to those who posted or PM'd me. I learned quite a bit about more modern skates. And I am comfortable in my choice of skates. Tomorrow they bake and Monday they play hockey. Happy New Year to the girls and boys, goaltenders all. Steve Berry

These are my skates. I am OK with this holder. My team is 70+, no slapshots. I want to know if this boot can be baked to get a snug fit. Thank you.

Crickets ...............

That is correct. I also have the original Graf cowlings for these updated skates which can be used for my 20 year old leather Grafs. I want to try these newly acquired ones to try out no cowling skates. I simply wondered whether or not they will take a baking process.

Yes, I neglected to mention that mine have Bauer Vertex 2.0 blades. Mea Culpa. They are an updated model from the links you posted. The newer ones, like mine, have a chrome logo on the outside ankle area, less leather and more synthetic material.

I have recently acquired a pair of used Graf Goaler Pros. Yeah, the Old Guy is going without cowlings! When I had them sharpened one of the skate guys asked if I was having them baked. His co-worker said that this model wasn't a candidate. Mine are the model with chrome logos one the outside of the boot, a few years old. What do the Goalie Network Experts say?

Team Canada didn't have a single game cancelled due to COVID, unlike some other teams ...........

Stay with it bunny man. Your efforts are inspiring.

Logical, especially the comment that most glove saves are made with one knee already on the ice. Attack the puck is what I am seeing. For a stand up style, I don't know that mine can be classified as Hybrid, it typically meant that my trapper was straight up for a high hard one, horizontal for a waist high and 6 o'clock for a low shot as we waited for the puck and sometimes even collapsed the trapper backwards to absorb the puck, avoiding pop outs. Thanks Chenner, interesting analysis.

Let me try this once more. It's not that we see goalies throwing the pack onto the ice but rather the motion. From a 12 o'clock trapper positioning (routine stance these days) there is a strong tendency to aggressively attack the puck and continue in the same downward motion. Perhaps this is preferred to holding the puck where its caught. This typically occurs in chest to shoulder high shots. Look folks, this isn't a life or death type of question, just something I have noticed occurring more and more. When one of my defensemen happened to query me today (a defensemen?) I had no answer ................... crickets.

You don't get my question or are also puzzled by the tendency to glove a shot and quickly snap the trapper in a downward motion? We had a discussion about this in our dressing room today. A few of my team mates also attend a lot of junior games (Kelowna Rockets/WHL and West Kelowna Warriors/BCHL). One of them started this conversation and expected me to know the reasoning. I don't. Anyone?

Why do today's goaltenders snap their trappers downwards when snagging a puck? Doesn't this motion increase the chance of the puck landing at their feet? I see this motion everywhere, the pros, Juniors and even minor hockey at the older levels. I realize that catching gloves are now held upright rather than a more sideways angle that we used back then. You must be damn sure that the puck won't pop out as you snap that glove straight at the ice by your feet. Please enlighten this veteran 'tendy but resist the temptation to comment about old guys keeping it up.

From a goalie who still makes skate saves, Save the Cowlings. I was able to acquire 2 additional sets of cowlings for my old Grafs (Goaler Pro) and am now on my final set. The ridges on the inside toe area are filed off and new Cowlings (with built in blades) are attached. This isn't everybody's cup of tea and I am aware that these parts are very scarce but at 72 I am satisfied that I will be still wearing my oh so comfy Graf leather boots until I hang em up for good.

As a kid growing up in Ottawa, the Hespeler Green Flash was the stick to have.