Wonder35

10 hours ago, southpawtendy48 said:

Wasn't it essentially cancelled BECAUSE of Canada? Come on now...

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.

3 hours ago, Chenner29 said:

FWIW, I was being taught in 1998 to snap the glove forward when the glove hit my T to eliminate popouts. 

"Attacking the puck" has been a pretty big recent change in goalie philosophy and coaching these last couple years and IMO has a role in this trend coming back.  Glove and body positioning is more aggressive. 

In the past, an ideal butterfly would mean the goalie is perfectly straight from knees to shoulders and glove positioning was much more passive than what we see today.
These days, goalies are taught to have a little bit of forward lean at the waist to eliminate vertical angle and gloves are aggressively forward to reduce net availability overall.  Principles like head trajectory encourage the goalie to keep "nose on puck" to aid with tracking, which in turn encourages proper body mechanics. 

In pictures - notice how Roy is more or less completely vertical, and Price uses his shoulders to crest over the puck and gloves to surround it.

tldr; Since the vast majority of shots are released from ice level, it makes sense to snap the glove forward as you are maintaining coverage and catching surface usage.  In a scenario where the goalie allows the shot velocity to snap the glove back, a pop out could be potentially devastating as it goes above or behind the goalie's sight line.   Most saves in the modern game are made with at least one knee on the ice, so a mistimed forward snap is not as bad since the goalie is probably already down and can stuff or smother it.

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.

10 minutes ago, bunnyman666 said:

I don’t get it.

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.

Anyone here ever heard of Hespeler hockey sticks? They were hand made in a small shop in Hespeler, Ontario (since renamed Cambridge). I used to live 15 minutes away and as recently as the early 2000's would drop by the since expanded shop, shoot the breeze with some of the guys and inhale that wonderful aroma of ash wood sticks in various stages of completion.

They have a new owner (Roustan) who is moving the only North American wood hockey stick manufacturer 30 minutes down the road to Brantford, hometown of that Gretzky kid.

In this video you will see their sticks branded as True, Christian Bros, amongst others.

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2319192

At 72 I am able to play regularly because I found my niche. All players are 55+ with a graduation availability to join the 70+ group. We have full squads, play 3 games/week, always midday.

There is no way that I would be competitive against much younger players. We have all adjusted to a tempo our bodies can handle and by shaking up the teams before every game the spirit of camaraderie persists.

Most of you are a long, long ways away from my situation. Here's hoisting one to the notion that we all get to play goal as long as our spirit and body allow.

A while back I would begin to put together a new set of gear whenever an attractive alternative came upon the scene. We were able to pay a visit to one of the better sports shops in town and try on the new stuff, no chance of a test drive.

Next step, start working some overtime shifts. FACT OF LIFE  New gear is always expensive. Fortunately, my job required every work position to be staffed so a few double time OT shifts make for a decent down payment.

Again, I got to live in some terrific hockey towns throughout Ontario;  Ottawa (67’s), Oshawa (Generals), Cornwall (Royals) and Kitchener-Waterloo (Rangers). Each had a few places where we could order off the shelf because they actually had stock. Or, even us has-been, never-was goaltenders could custom order from Vaughn, Cooper Custom Pro Shop, Brian’s, John Brown Sports, Mitchell, Boddam and later, Scott Battram (who made the all leather gear that I am wearing) well, maybe not right now ….. you know.

At times it didn’t work out as hoped. One time I dropped off a set of Cooper GP95L’s that needed restuffing. The Cooper Head Office was a 65 minute drive from home. At my insistence, they stuffed so much deer hair into my pads that the knee rolls resembled plump Oktoberfest sausages. With maximum effort I could barely bend those pads.

I found this hockey shop in Hamilton. They had loads of the latest everything. I ordered a new Vaughn Trapper (yup, you know the model, still have it) and a Gumby Blocker. They were no longer crafting their family goalie gear, Kenesky’s.

Then I discovered BROWN gear. My first set of John’s were off the shelf, all black and felt like marshmallows whilst playing. This was late 80’s, more overtime. 
 

Shit, I talk too much. Just thought of one more pearl of wisdom. Pay cash. I only had a bank account with our hand written balance. My O/T cheque never made it home. Today, good Q@#$&*” luck.
 

My wife and I met at Gloucester High School. Back then (the 60's) there were no high schools in the southend so we were bussed to GHS.

I no longer have any family in the area so visits are rare.

Thanks LP. It must have been in the water as I am a born and raised in Ottawa boy, actually Blossom Park, south end of Bank St, 2 km past Hunt Club Rd.

I wore a Louch mask for our school team in the late 50's, outdoor hockey. The damn thing was heavy, very heavy and would constantly fog up. But a mask was mandatory and there weren't many options.

I would wear a toque (American translation, a wool stocking cap) and perch this damn thing over top. It was constructed from a thick (did I mention heavy) industrial size piece of plexiglass which would distort your vision where it began to wrap around your head. 

The hardware attached to the straps pressed on your temples, just an awful piece of "protection".

The next season I went back to my baseball catcher's mask and a headband to keep my ears from freezing. But, hey, I was playing goal!

LP, thanks for the confirmation. The image of that leather/wire contraption was tucked away in a distant corner of my memory. Its acquisition came with a newsprint advertisement for this beauty.

1936 huh, it’s older than I had thought.

Now, where did I leave my car keys?

2 hours ago, SaveByRichter35 said:

Fuck yes Wonder!  Like riding a bike! 

Uphill, at times ..........

For the first 10 minutes I felt and probably looked like Bambi on ice.  After a dozen shots the old body responded. I had a shutout going until 2/3 into the game. Dang, it felt wonderful to be back. Round Two on Friday.

The only pads/gloves I have are all leather so a bit heavy but look and feel so familiar. The kid is back!

Thanks for asking.

We begin play on Monday, September 13, 3 one hour ice times per week.

It is imperative to show proof of vaccination (at least one dose) and two doses by October 24. You need only bring your vaccination ID once if already double dosed.

Masks in the building except on the bench/ice.  Dressing Room use of masks is a hard rule with zero exceptions.

We have 15 minutes when entering the building until game time and a similar period to undress and leave the arena. Showers are available but the 15 minute clock is running.  Usually we have an hour fifteen ice time but lose that 1/4 hour which is used by the arena staff to disinfect the Dressing Rooms for the next rental.

Still, we are playing hockey again!

On 8/26/2021 at 2:49 PM, coopaloop1234 said:

Luckily our rinks are still planning on going ahead and won't have any closures, though we'll probably do the passport thing too.

But way to go for screwing this up for the rest of us down here. Damn Kelownians

Alright, I'm taking the bait.  Our numbers were down, way down from the Lower Mainland, until July 1 and the party crowd arrived in Kelowna.  The first hint came when 6 of our waterfront bars/restaurants began to get scary high positive numbers, both staff and guests.  These haunts are the favourites of the 20-40 year old crowds. Any of you feeling a little uncomfortable yet?

Tourists come for a good time and typically spend their $$$$ on fun stuff, simple fact.  We have a history of welcoming hordes of tourists and our economy depends upon this infusion of spending. But this time they left us with additional "gifts".  So for the first part of the summer we were targeted by Dr. Bonnie and associates and rightly so.  Our numbers blossomed.

Over the past couple of weeks some interesting stats have surfaced. Enderby, Armstrong and even Vernon have vaccine rates between 48% - 60%. Some locals have claimed that these towns are agriculture based and the workers are too occupied in the fields to bother with vaccinations.  And then there's the Kootenays where similarly low vaccine numbers are popping up, an area known to welcome the independent crowd (draft dodgers and hippies in the 60's), not that there's anything wrong with alternative lifestyles. Spend any amount of time in the Nelson area and enjoy the differences, fun place for sure. How about the ultra religious sects living in the area and discover another tight, joint living community who shun many of life's amenities, including conventional medicines.

All of these diverse areas are included in the Interior Health bubble. Admittedly, Kelowna has attracted many of us still living fossils who moved here from across Canada to live our Golden Years.  Perhaps not so surprising is that our 60+ age group possess a vaccination rate well into 80% but we can be susceptible to the virus more so than you young bucks.  This week our 55+ and 70+ teammates have been polled and out of 120 hockey players 2 have chosen to not receive any vaccinations and will not be eligible to play hockey until BC Health decides differently.

Am I a bit defensive on this subject, fuggin' right!

Three weeks ago we were advised that our hockey would resume on Sept. 13 (City of West Kelowna).

This week that was rescinded and hockey is put off "until at least October." Our provincial government (British Columbia) will be issuing COVID-19 Passports by mid September.  We fully expect that anyone who has not received at least one vaccination we be prohibited from entering the Arena as either a spectator or player.

How about this beauty made by Rawlings?  I used to have a photo of a Japanese hockey goalie wearing one of these in the Olympics, mid 50's.  It looks more like something a baseball player might use if he wore glasses, the catcher?

I picked this one up about 30 years ago but never had the balls to wear it in action.

On 8/22/2021 at 5:12 AM, SaveByRichter35 said:

I agree.  Unless you really need the money right now I would keep it just in case.  If you get to the point where you know you're done and don't care about selling everything then do it.  I would keep it as long as you're still tempted though.

I sold most of my gear whilst recuperating from knee replacement surgery in 2019. The package included relatively new Brown gloves, pads, pants and a hefty C&A, keeping only my skates and Harrison 80's mask.  The new owner was most pleased with his Brown collection.

Many of you know the rest of my story.

I did return to play in 2019 with an older group and had to scrounge for some used gear. 

What a marvellous summation of your life path with Tony Esposito, bravo.

I have skated a similar path with Johnny Bower.

I just heard that Tony Esposito died today, pancreatic cancer. Was he the father of the butterfly?

1 hour ago, WillyGrips13 said:

I seem to remember you saying you took these pictures for insurance purposes. No bulletin boards or social media back in the day to show off your gear on. 

Yup, you were paying attention ..................

I had my first set of Brians pads stolen and didn't have proper insurance coverage.  After that I paid for a separate rider in my policy for hockey gear.  Naturally, I've never had a theft incident since - not complaining.