Grass: . . . . Sun, May 9, 8:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
A question for the regulars: A couple of months ago Chris (the patron saint of goalie chats) setup the chat so that only the last 10 posts displayed when we logged in. I think that mode of operation is better than the "load the whole month" system. Any thoughts? Perhaps loading the last 25 posts or even the last 2 days?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, May 9, 9:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'm all in favor for the shorter version of the chat appearing again. It made it much easier to load and to follow.

Tripp: . . . . Sun, May 9, 9:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yaaay! A clean slate! Merci beaucoup fellas.

deke: . . . . Sun, May 9, 3:07PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Donut for Ranford. Avs need to find something to rally around, or this much touted series is going to be over in a hurry. BTW- I concur on the abbreviated chat forum.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Sun, May 9, 7:32PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies..... I might be playing for the New Mexico Ice Breakers of the WSHL(Junior B). I talked to their coach, Marc LeBlanc. He said he is looking for a goalie, etc. Also, I know Matt Ryan. Who plays for their team. He told me they have one of the best organizations in the league..... Marc LeBlanc is going to call me on Tuesday.

Toast: . . . . Sun, May 9, 9:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, my Buds seal a win against the Pens on a blown call...I don't blame K.C. for blowing a gasket. As for Wings...yowsa. And the Sabres roar back into the series.

Vile: . . . . Mon, May 10, 6:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Woo Ranford... two great games for him so far. You really need to keep riding that horse while he is hot. Detroit is finally beginning to concern me. How nuts would it be to have 2 undefeated teams in the conference playoffs? Not very likely, but still... I predict some game 3 or 4 losses for Dallas and Detroit.

Vile: . . . . Mon, May 10, 7:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Part of my season includes some scheduled practices with a coach supplied by the league... I got a really good coach. He is not trying to tell me anything about goaltending, which I guess is better than telling me something stupid. Right now, I just try to stop the puck. But the coach has some cool drills. My favorite was a 3-0 drill where they had to put 3 pucks in my net in 40 secs (yeah right). Each player had to touch it before they could shoot a puck on net. I really took the drill as a personal test of my honor :) and nobody got more than 2 of the pucks in.

C5: . . . . Mon, May 10, 8:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Right on, Vile! How many of you here think Ozzie's injury might not be real? Heard that bandied around up in Calgary. And those of you enjoying Ranford's performance will be happy to know that although I haven't been on the chat recently, I've been keeping up with the hockey pictures, and there'll be a special playoffs picture page up soon. WHEN, we're not sure... but soon.

Sieve: . . . . Mon, May 10, 11:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, I'm not sure about the duration of his downtime, but Oz definitely tweaked his knee in gm.4 against Anaheim. He got up slow, but finished the game. I'm thinking he takes over on Tues. Ken Holland is looking like a genius right about now. And Ranford must be on top of the world. Figured he was headed for the Lumberjacks, one minute, next he's 2-0 in cup playoffs with an SO...

Vile: . . . . Mon, May 10, 1:02PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I dunno Sieve, I bet they Ride Ranford while he is hot. Let him slip a little, and he out... but you gotta ride the hot goaltender.

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, May 10, 1:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Jesus the wings look awesome..... Or the Avs just lost it and decided to not play as a team at all..... But I do have a gripe about the TV coverage.... Why the hell does fox only show one of two games on sunday afternoon? I wanted to see the sabres and b's but because I'm west, just got wings and avs. GRRRRRRR! The NBA had what like five games back to back yesterday???? Oh Fox just go away soon!

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, May 10, 1:06PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for log, I concur with like 2 days back or like 35 posts

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, May 10, 1:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for play.... Should have had a soupless outing last night... My B roller team actually decided to play a little D in front of me. (At period I was asking who they where and what they did with my teammates). Won 7-1 and the one was a bad angle centering feed that I poke checked at the wrong angle with my stick.... Doh... But I normally have to make like two to three saves in a row because they never clear the front of the net and or gjust watch the rebound that falls like five feet away from me. Stoned like four or five two on none's with wicked pokers... Was fun to play with D

Fourqts: . . . . Mon, May 10, 1:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I do have a question for everyone though.... I recently went from very tight lower pad strapping to a relatively loose strapping.... ala Nik Boolin... and flexing the pads toward the inside... I seem to like this better as I feel I can get down quicker.... So I guess what I'm asking, is if this is normal. Maybe it helps that my pads are getting more and more flexible as I play more (2 seasons in scott's specials)

Sieve: . . . . Mon, May 10, 1:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Vile, I agree, go with the hot goalie. But what to do when both of your guys are sub-conscious??? Remember, Ozzie was playing like a madman in Rnd. 1 also. I guess its a nice predicament to be in. I cant wait til tomorrow 7:30 to find out...

smott: . . . . Mon, May 10, 6:27PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmm well Scotty has been known to play goalie hunches a la Vernie 2 years ago....and I've never really been a Ranford fan but he is lookign solid. As for solid, I'm thinking Cujo's series to steal is the one against my Pens. Not only is he hot, he's also getting the breaks too. Pucks off posts, rolling between his skates and staying out. He's bailing out the Leafs big time, so sloppy in their own end I couldn't believe it, giveaways galore but Cujo was there. Game 3 should be real interesting.

smott: . . . . Mon, May 10, 6:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well fellas, 2 weeks without ice time....in between leagues, got my pads reconditioned and my skates sharpened...but boy I'm still feeling pretty low with chemo. Wonder if I'll have the energy to keep playing until it's done with. One more treatment to go! Anybody wanna loan me some white cells?

smott: . . . . Mon, May 10, 6:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wow, St Loo just scored on a slo-mo shot....maybe they're not dead yet....

smott: . . . . Mon, May 10, 6:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And yes the Wings looking awesome....the Avs really on their heels - how many have they lost at home thus far already? Four?

smott: . . . . Mon, May 10, 6:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And my take on Chat-scroll - I say last 2 days is fine.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Mon, May 10, 10:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve - I was playing pickup ice in an epoxy molded mask that I shouldn't have been in. I took a few off it and it cracked under the chin in the front. It was a damn shame because it had a great paint job.

C5: . . . . Tue, May 11, 6:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Maybe I'm not the most vocal Belfour critic I know, but along with Smott, I've said here in this chat again and again to say how seriously uninspiring I find Belfour's spotty play. Last night's goal was soft, soft, soft, but so was EVERY goal Eddie let in. Still, I naturally cheer for the underdog, so last night's result was fine with me!

J.T.: . . . . Tue, May 11, 6:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, you can have all the white cells you want...I've got more than my fair share right now. I bet if you asked really nicely for some decca they'd give it to you to help boost the old immune system. :) Personally, I haven't seen ice in about 4-5 weeks, due to the pending arrival of triathlon season....first race was last weekend and it was 48F. Try getting out of the water, onto your bike, when it's 48F and the wind is gusting to 30mph. Fun I tell ya...

Sieve: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hang in there Smott, last one! My best wishes to you... Rocket, so your mask was something other than an Eddy, or a lesser model?

Sieve: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sports writers here in town pretending that they can figure out how Scotty's brain works say Ranford will start tonite. Saying the Oz knee still not ready. I'm thinking smoke screen...

GoalieHawk: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies..... I have a few questions about equipment maintience..... How do you keep the straps on your pads from drying/wearing out? The strap that goes around the knee on the right pad is dried out and is getting thin. Sooner or later that thing is going to snap..... I'm having to use sock tape to hold the cut on the strap together..... I'm going to have to get it repaired. But I don't want to have to send it to the Heaton company like I did last time. I get too worried that something happened to my pads, and it takes around 3-4 weeks..... Can a local leather/shoe store help me? Or do I have to send my pads off to Heaton? Anyways..... How can I keep the straps in good shape? I think the straps are made out of that clarnio stuff, or syntethic(sp?) leather..... Anything I can use like a lotion or something? Any other tips about equipment? Thanks.

smott: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi GH...

smott: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
If the straps are synthetic there's probably nothing that will work all that well, perhaps some plain old petrolium jelly to help them resist the water. If they are leather there is a product called Sno-Seal which works very well to condition and waterproof leather. And no way should you send your pads away to Heaton. Any hockey shop in town should be able to repair those straps. Also any decent shoe repair store would be able to sew a new one on. You won't need to wait 3 weeks.

smott: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well St Loo snags one in OT...and yes I agree with C5 from what I've seen of Eddie the goals have not been that great. Leaning off the post on the last one for some reason...though I tell ya I don't think Fuhr has been that awesome either. He's the only guy I know that seems to think leaping in the air will make his glove move faster....heh heh heh....

smott: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I think Bandit of the Playoffs so far has been and will continue to be Cujo. If the Leafs keep playing sloppy, he will definitely need to be to save them. Pens gettign an awful lot of good scoring chances, and Jagr's at about 30% right now.

C5: . . . . Tue, May 11, 10:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, actually, I thought Fuhr played well last night, but yes, his play hasn't been stellar, but stellar for him is outta this world, back in his day. The playoffs are still an arena where experience counts equally, IMHO, with talent, and Fuhr has plenty of both. And that jumping save, well, if you can move the shoulder as well as the wrist, why not? In person I've seen him snag bullets upstairs many a time and wondered how he did it... The goals he let in weren't saveable. Here's the real question: How many snow angel moves can we count the other goalies making before Hasek invents something else?

C5: . . . . Tue, May 11, 10:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But yeah, Belfour was off the post, definitely. Belfour had a GREAT second period, when his team had the momentum, but I have NEVER seen him step up and be the rallying point where a shaken offense can recover. The fact that Dallas keeps Belfour in the net to me means that Dallas is trying to build a team based on numbers, on averages, on ratios and odds, not on guts and grit like Scotty builds teams. I'm really hoping that the Av's can come back and at least bring a good game tonight. We'll see. I just want a good series.

C5: . . . . Tue, May 11, 10:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
*I* could have played with Dallas last night, what with the way his team was sacrificing the body to block shots.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Tue, May 11, 10:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott..... I ask the guys who own North West Skate Att. But they said they didn't have the machines that would do that kind of job or something..... I also went to a leather/boot shop last year and asked if they did any kind of repairs/etc but they said they don't do that kind of stuff..... I'll ask the guys at the hockey shop one more time..... Potroleum Jelly? That is a little too messy for me..... Also. The other things that need to be repaired on my pads are..... On the left pad on the tap strap, where the metal part is where you slip in the strap. The top part broke off so I can't slip it in all the way. It really isn't a problem. Just would like to get it fixed..... Also on the right pad. The place on the calf pad that stuck in a strap is broke off..... I can still use my pads fine..... But I want it to get fixed..... Any ideas?

Tripp: . . . . Tue, May 11, 2:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ya better hang in there smottsie! I'm up to a whopping 129 lbs of puuure diesel, baby! So I gotta be close, if not past you by now. :-) NO ice time of any kind until at least July, so I'm living through my fellow chatsters here. I agree with C5, for whatever it's worth. I have yet to see Eddie make that one ridiculous save that swings a game/series and lets the team play with a bit more freedom and confidence. One thing to his credit though...he's done a whale of a job on those MacInnis bombs. Chest or thigh saves with very few rebounds. I wonder who has the better saves %, though.. Belfour or Craig Ludwig?

Beatts: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm...I guess that "non-call" the other night in Toronto against the 'Guins came back to haunt my Leafs...Hatcher gets a gift with a "NON-GOAL"...Isn't the puck supposed to go completely over the line to be counted ?? Argh...bitter Beatts is going to bed....

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Before you do your pads up like Nik Boolin remember he wears R5's that have a knee butterfly that velcros and a shin butterfly that also velcros. That may be why he can get away with lose straps down low. Knock on a big piece of wood.....my mask should be here by thursday. Miska E-mailed me a pic of it sin cage and it looks awesome. Throw in the polished Stainless cage and I'll finially be style'n. On another note, talked to Gary Warwick today and he has another version of the masks he makes thats not on the web page. Actually it's the same style the only difference is it's finish is the carbon fiber as it naturally appears just put on uniformly then coated with clear and a polished stainless or titanium cage. I'm seriously considering right now. FYI a titanium cage is lighter than a stainless cage by about the same weight as a puck. MAN, who would of thought Ranford would come apart like that? Guess he used up all of his JUJU the other night. They better put the suicide watch on him tonight LOL

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, May 11, 8:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I took a puck to the head last night that actually broke the metal snap and plastic buckle. The only reason why I knew it was broke though was because I saw the piece spining on the ice after the shot bounced over the glass. Melon remained in one piece and no noticable side effects, side effects, side effects. My Pro-Masque did me right once more. Although I'm convinced the flourescent orange color is one of the reasons I've been getting beaned in the head here as of late but hey, it's a loaner and I can't complain. I don't know any other mask maker or company out there that will send you a loaner while your getting your mask painted . Smott, how about your birds? They looked good tonight, sucked the life out of Toronto's game, not even CUJO could save them tonight.

Vile: . . . . Wed, May 12, 6:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ranford was massively jinxed last night, the announcers couldn't stop talking about how great he was playing, then bam, his wheels fell off.

Guardian: . . . . Wed, May 12, 7:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
GH - are you taking the pads in with you to the shoe repair shop to show them what exactly needs to be done? It's been my experience that if they don't see the pad, they'll say they can't do it. Once they see what an easy job it is, they're usually up for it. I had a great guy in Montreal who loved repairing my stuff...it's more exciting than working on another pair of shoes.

smott: . . . . Wed, May 12, 8:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm well I don't know if that was jinxed, or that was just Ranford. Unbelievable one night, scrambling all over the place stopping everything, then the next night, scrambling all over the place, stopping nothing. I think we'll see Oz back in there.

smott: . . . . Wed, May 12, 8:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
VERY strange game with Pens-Leafs last night. Most notable is Cujo finally ran out of breaks. Posts going in not out for a change. We did see one replay in the Pgh telecast that seemed to show the puck hitting the mesh inside the far post just as Cujo's glove swiped it out, but hard to call it conclusive. The papers here said that since Frasier originally called it a goal ( as did the goal judge) the replay had to prove it wasn't in, not that it was in. Hmmm. I do not know the wording of that replay rule.

smott: . . . . Wed, May 12, 8:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
However I do know that the rule states there must be an effort to avoid the goaltender when he's in the crease, and on the Leafs' 3rd goal, the guy ran right over Barrasso before swiping it in, and he was not forced into the crease at all. Radio broadcast Pgh guys going ballistic saying it was interference. Oh well. Controversy abounds. Pens deserved to lose that game, backing in all night while the Buds ran wild. Of course, the Leafs probably deserved to lose to Philly if not for Cujo! So here we are.

fourqts: . . . . Wed, May 12, 8:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP... I have the lower leg velcro deal on my batts but not the upper, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.. I've come to like the pads pretty loose as I stated before. Granted he cranks his around towards the front quite a bit, whereas I just rotate the angle of the pad down a little. The only straps I crank down are the two that attach to the skate... The others i leave progressively looser from bottom to top

fourqts: . . . . Wed, May 12, 8:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
won't make a call on th Cujo goal non-goal deal as I was watching and the replays were definitly not conclusive... But I think it did make cujo a little hot when it was called in... On the interference I'd agree with smott... as a skater you are supposed to make all possible attempts to not run into the goalie...... Also the pens should have physically expressed their displeasure with having their keeper run.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Wed, May 12, 8:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Guardian..... You're right..... I didn't take the pads in with me when I talked to the show repair guy..... I'll go in tomorrow and see if they can help..... Thanks.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Wed, May 12, 8:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies..... Did you hear Barry Melrose a few days ago on ESPN? About if he could make the new rules? Some of his remarks were crazy..... The one that I did sort of like was that goalies should be fair game(if they handle the puck, they should be able to get hit as well)..... Although I think that if a goalie plays the puck behind their goal line he shouldn't be hit, but if they handle the puck across it they should be fair game..... Any comments?

: . . . . Wed, May 12, 9:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi

Vile: . . . . Wed, May 12, 9:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I am not the resident rule master, but as far as I know, the replay has to conclusively contradict the call on the ice. Otherwise the call on the ice stands. Since the ref emphatically called it a goal, it stands. If the ref had waved it off, and the replay couldn't prove it did go in, the no-goal would have stood. The ultimate power still rests with the on ice officials. I belive they can actually veto or overrule a replay call, but I don't imagine that it would happen if they want to keep officiating in the playoffs. Goal judges are a joke, they don't have much input at all.

C5: . . . . Wed, May 12, 10:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The Buds? That's a new one to me. :D

Sieve: . . . . Wed, May 12, 10:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
shhhhh...Vile, dont say that too loud. My next door neighbor might hear you. He is a goal judge at Joe. ; >)

Sieve: . . . . Wed, May 12, 10:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Can you believe Ranford got an ovation when he left the ice??? I must have missed it on TV, but the paper says it happened... huh, thats a first in Det...

wolfman: . . . . Wed, May 12, 2:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I started my summer league last nite with a oops. Forgot my blocker. So I borrowed one and then my buddy brought his in. Didnt do much good we lost 5-2.Everyone was a forward no D :>) A couple of 3 on 1 and a couple of 2on 0. I'm up to 1500mg of naproxin(?) just so I can move the arm.

wolfman: . . . . Wed, May 12, 2:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I started my summer league last nite with a oops. Forgot my blocker. So I borrowed one and then my buddy brought his in. Didnt do much good we lost 5-2.Everyone was a forward no D :>) A couple of 3 on 1 and a couple of 2on 0. I'm up to 1500mg of naproxin(?) just so I can move the arm.

Toast: . . . . Wed, May 12, 9:10PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As the resident non-Belfour fan...(ask smottsie), gee how about the OT beaut he let in tonight. Knock against Eddie is he doesn't make the save when needed, and he hasn't disproven that yet. As for Ranford, I think Ozzie is back as soon as healthy. How about DOM? As for Cujo, looks like his luck ran out in the third. As for the goal/non-goal, that ain't what got me. It was Sundin's penalty...who trips a guy with his head?

Toast: . . . . Wed, May 12, 9:11PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of weight, I have ten pounds to ditch. A slow month of hockey has me up...any takers?

snowman: . . . . Thu, May 13, 4:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
toast-- I am there on the slow month of hockey. 10 lbs? sounds ok!. Spring/summer session starts in 10 days.

C5: . . . . Thu, May 13, 5:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Toast, on the replay, I honestly think that shot wasn't saveable. I think Fuhr might have had it, with his "jump" style Smottie was making fun of (!), but Belfour was just beat, I think.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, May 13, 5:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Toast, right on on the Sundin head trip! Looked to me like the only thing that stopped the maybekinda goal from completely crossing the line, if in fact it didn't, is the corner of the cushion at the base of the net.

smott: . . . . Thu, May 13, 9:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
AH I love playoff-chat!

smott: . . . . Thu, May 13, 9:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
TRIPPSTER! Sorry I missed you yesterday, but 129 man??? C'MON EAT ALREADY! I am up to 133 soaking wet! :-D

smott: . . . . Thu, May 13, 9:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ANd as for losing weight, I have found that injecting toxic chemicals, not eating and oh yes throwing up for days, works exceedingly well.

smott: . . . . Thu, May 13, 9:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm well let me weigh in on a couple things...evidently Ken Dryden was in Pgh Tues night and was furious over the Phantom Goal. However ESPN news wire had a very conclusive replay from inside the net (we never saw that one) that showed the puck all the way over the line near the far post. Also, it does turn out that the replay must conclusively overrule the on-oce call, which was a goal. So, hmm. And I still say it was interference on Barrasso. :-D

smott: . . . . Thu, May 13, 9:19AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And on the Barrasso front, news today is that his Dad has brain cancer. Geez first his little girl now his Dad. He will be in net tonight, but we shall see how well he can play with news like that. Another interesting game I bet.

smott: . . . . Thu, May 13, 9:21AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And for once I disagree with Toastie, I do believe that shot that beat Belfour in OT was basically unstoppable. But that would be one of the very few unstoppable goals he's allowed thus far. Of course there wouldn't have been an OT if Fuhr hadn't kicked in Modano's shot to begin with.

smott: . . . . Thu, May 13, 9:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for slow months, I've had ZIP games for almost 3 weeks! All leagues on break. Now of course they all begin simultaneously, and I have games SUN-Mon-TUes. OUCH I'm gonna be hurtin'.....

fourqts: . . . . Thu, May 13, 2:57PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all...... Eddie looked like a deer in headlights on the game winner..... Frozen... All Turg had to do was miss him and it was in. As for leagues.... Starting league # 3 next week.... Now will have sun nights roller, tuesday night roller and ice. fun for me.... will be bad wednsday's though..... EEEEK.

fourqts: . . . . Thu, May 13, 3:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Back to equipment chat..... I think CdP turned me onto garner sports in looking for a bauer c/a a while back.... Well I ended up with a brown unit that I had Garner special order with the neck guard sewen in for me.... I don't think i had mentioned it before now.... But Garner is a really nice guy and works well with you.... He sent a c/a down to az for me to try sizing.... and when i decided I did not like it as it was, he immediately custom ordered one for me before I had even sent the first one back to him.... He received my return and shipped out the new one the ssame day and I got exactly what i wnated in a C/A.... Model is i think the 403 (one under their pro model). As for the unit... Is very protective, fits perfect, and required little break in. Hats Of to CdP for the advice and to Garner for being such a pleasure to deal with... button to get to garners site

Toast: . . . . Thu, May 13, 4:06PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the "phantom" goal, I thought it was in, and I bleed blue. However, on the OT goal, the replay I saw showed Turgeon scoring on a 35 foot wrister, I guess that angle didn't show how much zip was on the puck. Newie's winner in game 2 looked like it was a lot quicker shot.

Toast: . . . . Thu, May 13, 4:07PM PST (-0700 GMT)
But...here come the Sabres. Picked them to come out of the East, and it looks more and more likely all the time.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, May 13, 4:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
fourqts glad I could help you out. I try and pass on all the good deals I come across to others. Gardners is a good place to buy Bauer since he doesn't care about the restrictions and he is willing to go out of his way for you. I'm still enjoying the R6 C/A it's really broke in good now and still no real complaints about it. Has anyone else seen the goal skates by Heaton? I saw a pair on Simmons site and can't help think they look an aweful lot like CCMs with a white shell . Anyone used/heard anything about them?

Tripp: . . . . Thu, May 13, 4:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Funny you should mention the skates... I was just going to post a few questions here about those. I haven't seen or heard much, but what was the deal with Brian Heaton making those X-hale pads in conjunction with Louisville? Just a one time venture, or are Heaton/Louisville connected in some way?

Tripp: . . . . Thu, May 13, 4:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
and also, Garner's is definitely the place to deal with for gear. John really went out of his way on several occasions, and ended up saving me a whole lotta coin. Before my surgery, I had a custom pro Excel model c/a made by Brown, and from start to finish, Garner's had it in my hands within 3 weeks! I ended up cutting the built-in collar out, but lemme tell ya... that thing is bombproof.

fourqts: . . . . Thu, May 13, 7:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here is a little info I got on the industry talking to john Garner today.... It seems that CCM just bought or was bought by Karu, the parent company for the name brands koho, heaton, Titan, jofa, and a few smaller ones I think. Therefore the heaton skates would be ccm's dressed up, muck like the heaton and koho sticks are similar (different paint from what I understand... The company is planning on fighting with the nike/bauer conglomerate for the hockey market

: . . . . Thu, May 13, 8:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve - Yeah, mine's a lower end Eddy. They sell for $225 US here in SD, but only $99 US at SFSL...amazing what the difference is from southern California to Toronto!!

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, May 13, 8:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oops...that was me...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, May 13, 8:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
When I started playing ice I bought one of the Reidic's SFSL sells for $200. I've broken one metal bracket but other than that it's been great and I haven't felt anything.

C5: . . . . Fri, May 14, 5:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wow, it's so cool having such hard-core bargain hunters around. I'm gonna be in the market for a lighter cats-eye cage. Where can I get that titanium cage?

C5: . . . . Fri, May 14, 5:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Looks like Ranford is wearing the Wings' "house goalie" mask...

Sieve: . . . . Fri, May 14, 6:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
c5, hope you got a good look at Ranford in that wings mask. May be the last time you see it...

Vile: . . . . Fri, May 14, 7:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I've used Garner's for my skates, and he is awesome. He carries Bauers, but didn't have any my size in stock, and he called bauer, and they didn't have any they could ship him either. So he called CCM and ordered they skates before I had paid for them. In all, I think it took a week from the time I first talked to him until I had the skates...

Vile: . . . . Fri, May 14, 7:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I am a couple of months at least from being able to buy a new chest protector. But I talked to him about a Brown 553 and he was very helpful. I am trying to decide between the Brown from Garner's and Battram's C/A. I really like both companies, and I imagine they will be comparable quality. You can't go wrong with Garner's tho...

C5: . . . . Fri, May 14, 9:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve, yep, expect a real battle royale next time they play...

Vile: . . . . Fri, May 14, 1:31PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Garner's will help you with anything.

Justin37: . . . . Fri, May 14, 1:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anybody have any tips on breaking in a brand new set of Koho Potvin Pro leg pads? Any tips will be appreciated...

fourqts: . . . . Fri, May 14, 3:35PM PST (-0700 GMT)
J37..... the key is to just use them... that is the only way to get them broken in right for you without hurting the pad at all.... I've heard of wraping a strap over the pad and cinching them down, I've heard of beating them with your stick or a bat, I've heard of lots of things.... But my advice would be to just put them on tight and wear them around the house when you have the time... like 1hr a day... and if you need a place to sit while watching tv... drag out your pads face then towards the tv, put your heels on the toe straps, and sit on the top part (doing this will flex the pad in a similar fashion as being in a crouch with them on) while you watch the playoffs.

fourqts: . . . . Fri, May 14, 3:50PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I think C5 was looking for the barraso style pads (smith or something) or like smottsie's old vic's.... If still interested check button this a picture connected to ebay for item number 102843549 with like 6 days left.... an FYI for C5

RocketGoalie: . . . . Fri, May 14, 5:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
J37 - Scott might reposess my pads for diong this.......but when I got my new Battrams I took two belts (I've got a small waist so some may need only one belt...heheh), sat on the pad like fourqts said and then cinched the belt tight...makes them look like an "S". I've had them over 9 months now and it's worked pretty well so far. I haven't seen any problems but I've heard some people say that can do damage, though I don't really know how as long as you don't cinch it too tight.

C5: . . . . Sat, May 15, 2:02PM PST (-0700 GMT)
4q, thanks, the pads at 36", though, and I wear 34", will getting those transform me into a standup goalie? ;-)

C5: . . . . Sat, May 15, 2:06PM PST (-0700 GMT)
4q, thanks, the pads at 36", though, and I wear 34", will getting those transform me into a standup goalie? ;-)

GoalieRat: . . . . Sat, May 15, 4:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Guys I haven't been around in a loooong time. Sorry. But I have one question for you guys. Do you know where I can find some Vic MCM pads? Preferably some Phantom II's. Source for Sports London is pretty expensive and I heard that I can get them elsewhere. Any help? Thanks. e-mail me here: the_man96@hotmail.com

Justin37: . . . . Sat, May 15, 6:56PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Can anyone give me the url for source for sports? I want to get their catalog.

fourqts: . . . . Sat, May 15, 10:51PM PST (-0700 GMT)
J37 SFSL is at http:\\www.sourcelondon.com and all the rest I found a cool site for goaile t's and stuff Tendergear at http:\\www.tendergear.com

fourqts: . . . . Sat, May 15, 10:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
sorry slashed the wrong way sfsl = button

fourqts: . . . . Sat, May 15, 10:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
tender gear = button

fourqts: . . . . Sat, May 15, 11:08PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Rat .. 1099 Can * .69 = 750 ish at sfs..... I'd equate them to what i would think would be between a 1000 and 2000 model Battram so I'll use the 2000 pricing @ 900 Can less 10% in May = 810 Can * .69 = 560ish.... and I think the room would agree that scott builds a hell of a product. Button at page bottom

fourqts: . . . . Sat, May 15, 11:08PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sorry talking about McM phantom pads there rat

Papillion: . . . . Mon, May 17, 5:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I know most of you goalies like the chat to only display the last few messages, but is there any chance that it could be increased to the last days worth of messages, or have another screen that contains the last days messages? This would really help those of us that only get to log on once a day catch up with all thats gone on.

C5: . . . . Mon, May 17, 7:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Toast, Roy just tied Sawchuck. But hasn't the playoff structure changed, and there are more games played? What's your opinion on this?

GoalieHawk: . . . . Mon, May 17, 7:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Papillion..... You can view past messages. Check out the "Scroll Back messages" thingy where you post a message. Enter a number in the box and press chat.

Sieve: . . . . Mon, May 17, 8:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ok gang, so I was wrong (big shocker), Oz is still hurting. Wings need someone 110% behind them the way they are playing. What to do Tues? Start a 70% Ozzie, a shattered Ranford, or a still wet behind the ears Maracle? Its amazing how fast the Wings have once again managed to turn the tables on themselves. Since I'm wrong about everything else, Here goes: Avs send the Wings to the 1st tee on Tues.... Whoa is me...

C5: . . . . Mon, May 17, 8:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I seemed to have predicted the Avs would go all the way before the playoffs began. Still, with this league, whoever gets it right is getting it lucky, since it's always been a tossup between Detroit, Avs, and the Stars, I say....

gbfreeman: . . . . Mon, May 17, 9:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
c5, was it you who said if I got a second hasek salvino bammer to let you know? Contact me at gfreema2@san.rr.com

smott: . . . . Mon, May 17, 12:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm well I picked the WIngs in 7 but I didn't figure on Oz gettin ginjured and Ranford cheesing out. Who will start next game?....

smott: . . . . Mon, May 17, 12:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile WOLFMAN ET AL......THANKS for the goalie award!! It's the first I've ever seen like it, and now occupies a plce of honor on my fireplace/mantle! You guys know how to make a chick feel appreciated!

smott: . . . . Mon, May 17, 12:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Unfortnately, I have been grounded by low red counts this week, and had to cancel out of 3 games...RATS!!! This chemo stuff seems to be cumulative and it's been real hard to get my bone marrow to wake up & smell the coffee after 3 treatments. Good news is, final treatment is Monday. Assuming I can bounce my red & white cells up by then. So, guys, think good thoughts about hemoglobin, platelets and neutrophils, please.... :-D

Vile: . . . . Mon, May 17, 1:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, Monday Today? or next Monday?

Grass: . . . . Mon, May 17, 5:12PM PST (-0700 GMT)
smottsie -- What did you feed your 'guins tonight?!? 2-0 and the first period ain't over...

wolfman: . . . . Mon, May 17, 6:12PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, I'm glad you like it. I added the penguin logo on there for ya. How bout those leafs 3-2. Hang in there smott.

Toast: . . . . Mon, May 17, 7:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5 - I think comparing Roy and Sawchuk is apples and oranges. In Uke's day, there were only two rounds, now four. Plus, I know Roy has lost about 60 playoff games, I think he might be the all-time leaderin that category, but you never hear about that particular record.

Beatts: . . . . Mon, May 17, 8:08PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sorry Grass, I think you spoke too soon....Old and forgotten Garry Valk has come back to haunt his old team by winning for the Buds in O.T. YEEEEE HAAAAAAWWWWW !!!

Beatts: . . . . Mon, May 17, 8:10PM PST (-0700 GMT)
B.T.W. Sawchucks' the greatest that ever lived....case-closed.

Goal35: . . . . Tue, May 18, 6:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi all, back from a week in sunny Fl... man, the gear felt weird over sunburned shoulders... lol took a bit to get in sync.. after they got 2 "lacrosse" goals out of mid air, and yes - stick above crossbar....but we ended up winning 6-4. took a nasty one to the head, popped one of the welds on my lower cage.. think it might be time to retire the old Badger.. the new ones are made by NXI.... look pretty nice. As far as the stick try-outs... have tried both a HeliteIV and a new TPS Kevlar, both feel okay, will see about durability. Smottsie.. sorry you are missing games, but glad to know treatments are almost over...sending much healing energy your way.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Tue, May 18, 9:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies..... I have a game on Wensday night. I haven't played goalie in over three weeks. I hope I can get my groove back..... I played out last game just for fun. I scored a goal and recorded an assist. Also a bunch of really nice hits..... On Saturday I played pick up roller hockey. I skated out because my friend Joey was there. I scored two goals and probably was the best player out there. It was pretty cool..... You guys remember JOEY? Well now he is getting rid of his goalie pads and buying new player equipment. He now wants to be a roller hockey player. He played okay on Saturday in the pick-up. He got two goals, but were kind of by accident. He needs to learn how to skate and he'll be better..... Anyways. I need to get my mind back on goaltending. After playing out for two weeks, it feels kind of weird. It's like I am afriad of losing my goaltending abilities if I don't play a lot. Do any of you guys feel that way? Like if you don't play in a certian amount of time you kind of lose your talent? Maybe because when I played out and because I played so well. In roller hockey, damn it was amazing how well I played. Like I could almost make a career out of being a roller hockey player. No joke. I don't want to sound conceited..... I think I am just having doubts. That if I screw up at my try-outs that I am done for. I don't know..... It's hard to explain..... I know that I love goaltending, and I want to be a goalie..... But why when I play out it makes me feel a bit differently..... Only for roller hockey do I feel this. When I play out on ice it is just for fun. But roller hockey it makes me feel like I sound be a player instead of a goalie...... I feel better telling you guys this..... Now that I really think about it..... I am a goalie. Just because I am also good at another type of hockey just means I am good at roller hockey..... I am just second guessing myself..... Any comments?

: . . . . Tue, May 18, 1:54PM PST (-0700 GMT)
nope, none whatsoever

: . . . . Tue, May 18, 5:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Silence is golden...

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, May 18, 7:27PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And the wings bite the dust. I think we can all foresee who's most likely to take the cup now.

Sieve: . . . . Tue, May 18, 7:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
dammitall... smotts, what ya say we go drown our sorrows? Although my situation's not quite as bad, at least I know the Wings will be skating next year. GO Leafs GO.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, May 18, 10:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
But man are we golie fans BEING BLESSED IN THE CONFRENCE FINALS.... Ok let's here the votes for the player trophy's Mine. Ves = dom (his stats say it all and he does it year in and year out) Lady Bing = I'll homer and say teppo numinen solid steady non physical an all around nice guy Calder = Hayduk (I know the spelling is wrong but wth) Norris = easy choice Al Mckinnes (sp) Hart = Cujo as the leafs swing from out of the playoffs to east finals in a year

Goal35: . . . . Wed, May 19, 7:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smottsie... you ever deal with Rupp's out by you? They have the NXi mask im' looking at, and if the proshop here doesnt get me in the ballpark on price, 'ill prob order from them...

C5: . . . . Wed, May 19, 1:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
4Q, no kidding!! CUJO vs. HASEK? A dream come true! Then again, not to rain on the parade, but it might not be such a fun series after all. Both teams know that to beat these goalies it's going to take ugly, traffic-in-front-of-the-net goals, and that means you'll see more dump 'n chase and trashy, garbage goals in that series than in any other series. We might actually have a challenging finals this year if the Leafs go all the way... Leafs vs. Dallas or Avs? Should be a good contest. As a hockey fan, I'd love to see CUJO vs. ROY. I sure hope it rains all next week... because I'm not going to get to go outside my apartment whenever hockey's on!

C5: . . . . Wed, May 19, 1:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Let's just hope these series go 5 or 6 games, so that each team is reated for a good finals. Anything but a sweept his year, PLEASE!

fourqts: . . . . Wed, May 19, 3:54PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As bad as the west playoffs have been a WAR and as awful as the remaining west teams have looked at times, maybe the east finalist has a good shot. Avs looked horrible in first round and first two of second.... Stars have been in like 6 OT games in playoffs and powerplay has struggled... Leafs wide open and shooting left and right, Sabers steady and forechecking hard.... Will be interesting Finals i think.... and although I picked the avs and the sabers with the avs in five when the playoffs started... I'm not so sure the west will roll anymore

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, May 19, 4:01PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The mask finially got here today and it is outstanding to say the least. Todd Miska is truely gifted with a skill. The damn thing is so good that I'm almost afraid to use the thing on the ice. I know the first time I take a ding off of it or a chip I'm going to cry. It's like the new car syndrome, don't park by other cars, always looking for scratches and so on. Todd is first rate to work with. The time he spent with me working out details and making sure everything was to my likeing was something that would be expected to be reserved for the pro's. My advice to those thinking about getting a mask painted is to go with Miska and you won't go wrong. I can't recommend him enough. One of the cool things he turned me onto is the harness set up. He had the harness cut and sewn to the attachment points just like Belfour has his so that the art on the back plate can be seen. My whole back plate is used and looks unlike anything I've ever seen. Imagine more mask space to put your personal touch on. The little extras Miska hooked me up with are too many to talk about. You might find it cheaper to have your mask painted else where but it will be just that .....cheap. Can you tell I'm happy? LOL

Grass: . . . . Wed, May 19, 4:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP -- So where are the pictures??

Tripp: . . . . Wed, May 19, 5:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Glad to hear my ringing endorsement of Miska was on the money for ya, CdP. Jeez, if you were unhappy with the mask after the first shoddy paint job, and then again after the way I was plugging Todd, I really would have felt bad

Tripp: . . . . Wed, May 19, 5:35PM PST (-0700 GMT)
and lemme tell ya... WAH, Eddie (like him or not...he has been solid) , CuJo, Hasek... yours truly is happier than a kid on X-mas day here. When will the physical play and OT's catch up with Dallas? Avs and WAH looking better and better... Cujo...Hasek...nuff said there. Now if I could only convince my legs to start working and get outta this stinkin' wheelchair. Aah life will be grand. Not too much longer, I hope.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Wed, May 19, 8:49PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep, I'm with you Tripp. I think Roy is in a major zone and makes the Avs a serious contender. Avs may not have looked so good until the 3rd game of the Wings series, but when they got it together, they REALLY got it together. I think they'll beat the Sabres in the finals. I love Cujo but the Leafs just don't have the playoff experience the Sabres do.

Guardian: . . . . Wed, May 19, 9:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
No, Toast (I assume that was you), silence isn't golden. Stay & chat. If that wasn't Toast,my apologies.

Toast: . . . . Wed, May 19, 10:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Okay...picks time. BTW, good to see you around Guardian...this playoff year I am now 10-2 after a 3-1 round, got the Wings wrong. Let me see now...hmmmm, I like the Avs. More talent than St. Loo who gave the Stars fits. Plus I think they will have a field day with Eddie...as for the East...oh my. I bleed blue, but I think I will go with the Sabres for two reasons. First - been there, done that (last year). Second, if Hasek is healthy, I still think he is the best in the business.

Toast: . . . . Wed, May 19, 10:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for me, summertime blues continue, shellacked 7-2 on Tuesday. Feel like I have two left feet, always off balance and not making the big saves when needed. Might be a focus thing, poor play leads to wandering mind leads to worse play...

GoalieHawk: . . . . Wed, May 19, 10:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies..... Won my game tonight 4-3..... Played okay..... I had some nice saves though..... All three goals were goal scoring chances..... My skates are bothering me. I think they guy who sharpened them did a poor job..... I need to work on my stance a little bit. I need to challenge more and stay lower.

Goal35: . . . . Thu, May 20, 5:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
okay, gonna throw out for equip suggestions... gonna need a new mask, like the new NXi phantom.... but am open due to time frame and $... am using a Badger Elite with pro cage now, has held up well for 5+ yrs. SOS london has some ReidiC and Jester masks pretty cheap - any ideas?

fourqts: . . . . Thu, May 20, 8:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
G-35 -- Play in the jester... Seems ok had to do a little modification (make my own sweat band for front of head)Taking a hard one off of the head and the thing sounds like a big bell and I don't like the floating chin... Will probably buy something with a fixed chin next time around As for the $99 bucks was a great deal around here.... And you can believe that it is the same thing as the heaton and koho models.... have seen the koho and it is exactly like mine (and sells for 220). Other suggestions will be promasque... Which is where I'll buy when I'm ready for the next one... One note on the jester.... Buy a size bigger than sfs tells you... mine is a little small and they said it would be a little big..

Sieve: . . . . Thu, May 20, 8:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
4q, I am in the same boat as you having just gotten my Eddy cracked. I am definitely going to order a Pro Masque as soon as the negotiations with wife are won. Matt says I can get the solid color of my choice and have it in my hands in 10 days or less.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, May 20, 10:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
oops, I meant G35...

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, May 20, 2:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
G-35, go with a Pro-Masque and you won't be disappointed. I'm happy with mine and have no complaints about it period. The only thing negative I can say is don't have your mask painted through Pro-Masque, go to Miska or deal directly with the painter. The nut role I went through was a nightmare and it cost me 4 months without MY mask. And if you have been reading the log, you know I just got my mask back from Miska yesterday and it is out and out art, I want to hang it on the wall it is so nice.

: . . . . Thu, May 20, 5:27PM PST (-0700 GMT)
G-35...I got a Reidic from SFSL and it's a fine mask. I've had it over a year now and no problems. The foam is a little different than you've probably seen but it actually works really well and the fit is pretty good. It's a great mask for the money and I'd have to say it compares very well to masks in the $400-$500 range...I got mine for $200 at SFSL.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, May 20, 5:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
That was me.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, May 20, 5:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The artwork was just ok and I was a little disappointed for the money I spent, but then it was my first job and maybe my expectation was too high.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, May 20, 5:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
SFSL has started to nickel & dime me, though. I've ordered alot of stuff thru them and when I told them I lost one of the screws from the bracket that holds the cage on, I asked them how I could replace it. They said they could send me one for $1.50 parts and $5.00 in shipping. Now, I'm no businessman, but I'm pretty sure they can afford to send me a 50 cent screw set and pay the other 50 cents to send it thru the mail...especially since I've spent so much money there.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, May 20, 5:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
So now I'm trying to find another place to get the screw set (it's smaller than the standard ones in an Itech or other mask and the local hardware store doesn't have them). So if anyone decides to buy from SFSL....beware!

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, May 20, 7:55PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thats the good thing about buying from Pro-masque, you have any troubles and Matt will send you screws, brass fittings, brackets and pick the tab up no sweat. He's done it for me as well as Smott in the past. None of the catalog companies will even try and help you unless of course your trying to buy something from them.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, May 20, 9:01PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yup. I'll be getting a PM next...

smott: . . . . Fri, May 21, 10:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
G35, I have dealt with Rupps before, and they are OK, but definitely not the lowest prices you can find. As for masks, I recommend P-M all the way.

smott: . . . . Fri, May 21, 10:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile my blood counts creep back to nearly normal...have a game 9 PM Sun, should I play? Have only gone public skating in 4 weeks....I will stink up the joint I am sure, but I am SO tempted.......but last chemo on Monday and I probably should not do anything to wear myself down.....

smott: . . . . Fri, May 21, 10:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
MEanwhile as for picks...well there's no way I pick Eddie over Roy. Avs on a roll right now and I think they'll bump Dallas. And despite Hasek I think the skill level on the Leafs is so much higher than Buffalo, with Cujo in the groove I think they can knock off the Sabres.

Vile: . . . . Fri, May 21, 11:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I picked Colorado and Dallas in the beginning, but I had serious doubts along the way. I think they are very evenly matched, but Dallas is a little hungrier. They are both hungry, but I think dallas has more pressure. I have to pick Dallas because I am a homer, but it should be a very good 6-7 game series. I think Toronto has the weight of all of Canada on its shoulders, and they will ratchet it up another level to make the finals in their new Air Canada center.

snowman: . . . . Fri, May 21, 6:27PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well of the 4 that are left.....I have to route for the Leafs and the Avs........ Not really partial to any of the teams, though. Fianlly this weekend will kick off the summer session, AT LAST!!! wahoo!

Chris: . . . . Fri, May 21, 7:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hello everybody, I just set the default backlog display to 50. This means that now, the last fifty messages will be displayed upon the initial login to the chat. Then you will only see the last few after chatting. This will help reduce load time for the page while at the same time help you follow what's going on. If you think this number should be raised or lowered, just let me know at cjlambert@home.com

fourqts: . . . . Fri, May 21, 10:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
chris is the man....... As for teams to the finals.... I hope the leafs and avs go and I hope both series go 7 but my mind says in the east the sabers were here last year and this will take them over the hump... In the west Whaaaaa is looking too good to get beat four of seven by the melt down king.... The finals will be interesting, but I think the winner is in the east right now

GoalieHawk: . . . . Sat, May 22, 2:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I guess no one cared to respond to my comment.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, May 23, 8:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Grass I have a few pics of the new mask but no page to post them to. If your interested just e-mail me at this name @aol and I'll send them to you, that goes for everyone else too.

smott: . . . . Sun, May 23, 8:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm well AVs score 3 but only 2 counted. What was Patty doing going for a stroll on Hull's goal? Might've had the cheerio.....

RocketGoalie: . . . . Sun, May 23, 8:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ok everyone...I've asked this question before, but it looks like there's alot of new chatsers so I'll try again. I've been looking for inline goalie skates but they're pretty hard to find at a decent price. I've got Bauer 5000's for ice and I love them so that's what I'm looking for, but they're $400. The CCM 755 is the only other one I can find and it's $285US at Garner's. The problem is I can't find a place that carries CCM around here so I can try it on and get the right size. Does anyone have any suggestions on ordering the CCM in the right size (I'm a size 7 Bauer)? Also, Has anyone found a good skate (Bauer, CCM or someone else) at a better price?

RocketGoalie: . . . . Sun, May 23, 8:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
If it was someone other than Belfour, I'd feel sorry for him...having Modano knock the game winner in his own net. I still can't forget that blowup with Hackett...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Sun, May 23, 8:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Roy is just unbelievable right now. He's making saves by just "being there"...there's no way he can see thru that traffic. But sure enough, he ends up with the puck (which he shows to everyone by holding it up a 'la statue of liberty)..........

Goal35: . . . . Mon, May 24, 6:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I agree that Roy is going to be hard to beat.. he's making everything look easy and seems to be deep in his playoff zone. Who was that in the Cujo costume yesterday? he looked like he was fighting the puck alot.

C5: . . . . Mon, May 24, 6:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smottie, I'm cheering for your white cells more than I am for the Sabres. G35, yeah, I thought Sanderson's incredible 'flick' goal was definitely Cujo's fault. I thought Cujo played scared all night, although, I think that was the only bad goal. This is one of the few times I can honestly say that if I'd been the guy in net the puck would not have gone in. C'mon, a guy breaking in like that with the puck on the outside, one hand on the stick, is just begging for a diving, 100% committed poke check. Cujo thought he was going to go across wtih it, but no way was that going to happen with the D all over him. Cujo just tried to cover everything and didn't make it.

C5: . . . . Mon, May 24, 6:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I am cheering for the Sabres. I think they have a deeper, faster team...

Beatts: . . . . Mon, May 24, 7:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh well, at least the boy's in blue scored...They coudn't do it against Philly and Pitts. Not to worry though, Cujo played like crap, the defense gave up the puck far too often, Roloson played very well and we barely lost. Haseks injury seems to be nagging....BTW C5 I beg to differ on Buffalo being a faster team...Even Deeper ?? Im not sure on how many points there third and fourth lines are getting ?

Vile: . . . . Mon, May 24, 7:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
RocketGoalie, regarding Bauer/CCM... the CCM is going to be wider. For me, that is great, but if a size 7 Bauer fits you well, then a 7 CCm will be a touch looser, but still comparable in length of foot. Has anyone seen Hockeyphreak? button they have a vendor list that is very large. There is a Boston company that carries a lot of roller stuff, I'll try to look it up...

C5: . . . . Mon, May 24, 8:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Beatts, Sabres are firing on all cylinders right now and playing tight, as a team. I honestly feel that Toronto is depending too much on the Sundin line and that they can be shut down like the Sens were. Peca is playing awesome. I thought Rolly toughed it out, but that one goal five-hole wouldn't have gotten by someone like Beezer, who's better on his feet than anyone I've ever seen.

Vile: . . . . Mon, May 24, 8:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Woo... the league I play in (only one so far) has its stats on the web, but I put together my own stat sheet at button

Goal35: . . . . Mon, May 24, 10:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ok, confession time - after all my research last week on masks, not being able to get the NXi for a few weeks (BTW Rupps never even returned my call) and getting alot of different prices and stuff from SFSL... okay... I bought a PM2 from Simmons... saw it on the website, called and talked to them about it... multi layer Kevlar in forehead in chin.. stainless steel cage... with bag, for $239.. ordered it Thurs, is here today.. looks bombproof compared to my Badger.. well see tonite.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, May 24, 10:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Way to go G35, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. The air bladder is a cool touch as well and you may have to play with how much air you put in it until you find a happy medium.

C5: . . . . Mon, May 24, 10:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
G35, that's pretty much what I bought, you might not like it after too long, the foam kinda comes undone a bit, not too bad, but the mask is heavy, VERY bomb-proof, though. I'd like to upgrade to a titanium cage.

Goal35: . . . . Mon, May 24, 12:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP.. I didn't get the Pro-Masque... i got a Simmons Pro System 2.. i screwed up on the designation, the next one down was a PM 1000.... thing seems very well put together... the thickness and rigitity make my Badger look like one of those Franklin street hockey masks... lol

deke: . . . . Mon, May 24, 9:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well it looks like the secret to winning in the Stars/Avs series is to have a go-ahead goal called back. I know, as a goalie I should always support a no-goal call, but something has to be done about the rule. Meanwhile, G35 is your old mask a Badger Elite? That's what I'm using, it's now about five years old. Did you have specific complaints, or was it just time for a change?

Vile: . . . . Tue, May 25, 7:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Personally, I vote for less lines on the scroll back maybe only 20-30.

Goal35: . . . . Tue, May 25, 9:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
deke.. yea, it was a Badger Elite, was time for a change, had been getting hit in the head alot lately and feeling them, most of the foam on sides is worn, chin straps need replacing... had been re-glued many times and the mounts for some of the cage screws broke loose, to get at them means ripping up the foam... plus needed a new cage, so figured $60-70 for cage vs. $239 for whole new mask.. I might take the time if i can find the foam to rebuild it.. but I was told about 5 yrs on the Badger is a good life.

C5: . . . . Tue, May 25, 9:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Deke, as per the rules, the right call was made on that goal, period. I think it's a stupid rule. Should the rule be that there can be no contact with the goalie while he is in the crease?

Goal35: . . . . Tue, May 25, 9:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
used the new mask last nite, didn't take any off the bean.. played pretty goods, but guys werent backchecking at all and leaving guys on the backside all alone... ala we lose 6-4 but had 45 saves, so think I really only gave up one bad goal on a breakaway... but is frustrating to play well and lose...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, May 25, 9:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sun Night Got shelled 11-4 with five skaters... Played well in first were leading 3-1... Then no more wheels and open up the flood gates... Let in four in like 90 seconds... two two on nones, one three on 1, and a rebound goal from the slot.... Then it was down hill. Pressing for offense leaves no d. I had some big saves but could not stop the floodwaters.... Oh well... Have a roller game tonight at 8 then an Ice contest at 10:10 will be hauling between with gear left on but it will be fun.

Grass: . . . . Tue, May 25, 3:54PM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP -- Tried to e-mail you, but got a bounce on carpedepuck@aol.com

smott: . . . . Tue, May 25, 4:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi fellas a quick update from smottie-land....just finished my 4th and final chemo yesterday, thanks to all your kind thoughts pulling for my white cells, I made it over the bar! Now a get a couple week's rest before starting 5 1/2 weeks of radiation, but I am told it's not nearly so debilitating as chemo. So, hooray! Maybe I can concentrate on growing some hair back as well as red & white cells!

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Tue, May 25, 7:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
OOPS, sorry about that Grass. Drop the "e" at the end of carp and send again. AOL cut me short a letter on the screen name.

snowman: . . . . Tue, May 25, 9:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here's a question for you.....In a game if the puck is in the crease and the shooter gets hauled down while in the crease by the "D" is it a goal? .....believe it or not it happened the other night in my game....no shutout on paper because of it......puck never went in but the ref called it a goal

Papillon: . . . . Wed, May 26, 5:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I think the number of lines on the scroll back is spot on.

Sieve: . . . . Wed, May 26, 5:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
huh? does the ref know it didnt go in? shoulda been a penalty shot, eh? You guys must play this game called hockey a little differently over there...

Sieve: . . . . Wed, May 26, 5:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hey smott, congrats on completion of chemo. I'm happy for you.

Goal35: . . . . Wed, May 26, 5:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Congrats smott.... and continued strong recovery... hmm, what's the food of the week gonna be?

deke: . . . . Wed, May 26, 6:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Great news smott! Here's to continued progree in your recovery. Hey G35, sounds like you made the right call on buying a new mask. I looked into replacing the cage on the Badger, and with the co. out of business, good luck finding one. C5, I agree that the call had to be made under the rule. As for the fix, it has been suggested that the call should be discretionary to the referee as to whether the man in ahead of the puck had any impact on the play. Sounds like a whole new set of problems could follow that approach, and if it's a judgment call on the ice, that would mean no more review upstairs. Maybe the solution is to paint the old rectangle inside the existing crease and make entry there before the puck an automatic washout with the rest of the crease being at the ref's discretion.

Vile: . . . . Wed, May 26, 7:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Congrats Smott

z-man: . . . . Wed, May 26, 8:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have been having problems my last two games. Last week, we lost 10-2 and I had 35 shots, barely over 70%. My team had 13 shots. 2 on me were on breakaways, 2 on screens where my team wouldn't move, 5 on tip-ins to unattended traffic in the crease, and one off of my own teammates skate from someone on my team who tried to pass through the slot. If that wasn't bad enough, last night we lose 11-3, much of the same. This time 6 goals were on rebounds I couldn't hold and that my defense wasn't around to get, 1 on a breakaway, 1 on a screen, 1 on a short side shot, and 2 on 2 on 1s where my defense wasn't covering either player. I know I can do better than a combined 70% for the two games, but I know this is all I will see all summer long. We actually came around in the third period, where we had 13 of our 16 shots, 2 of our goals, and I didn't let any in in the third. So either we were inspired or more likely they were tired. After the game the referees told me what a great game I had, and that is nice.

z-man: . . . . Wed, May 26, 8:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have trouble on breakaways sometimes, because I play more aggressive, and I sometimes don't back in far enough. I try to lead the player to one side or the other, and I do well when that works. If they come right down the middle, I am only around 50%. I am not too good with my half butterflies and if I don't get caught the wrong way, I usually stack the pads which works unless I am too quick and they wrap around. Any breakaway tips that might be helpful in 'leading' a player to go where you want?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, May 26, 10:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Z-man check out this article on breakaways, it's from the "from the crease" site. It's located under technical reviews and has some good insights. Click this button

Goal35: . . . . Wed, May 26, 11:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
deke... yea the original Badger got sold out to Koho/Karahu, but they have started a new co - NXi Defense Systems... the NXi mask is the next generation of the Badger... would have like to have gotten one, but didn't have the time to wait for them to get one in stock.... Rupps has them on their website if you want to check them out... but for the $ the one I got from Simmons is pretty nice.

z-man: . . . . Wed, May 26, 11:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP, thanks for the tip... another article on psychology I found there was helpful also.

deke: . . . . Wed, May 26, 8:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey anyone know anything about Goaltec masks? Someone is selling one they claim is unused on ebay. I've never heard of the brand.

Goal35: . . . . Thu, May 27, 5:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
lol... guy finally returned my call from Rupps last night, a week later.... price went up $70, and would take 3-4 weeks.. told him already got one - thanks for the "speedy" callback

C5: . . . . Thu, May 27, 5:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Belfour has put in two SOLID playoff games in a row. If he can keep this up, the Stars WILL go all the way. But last night's game could have been different, with the Avs opening the scoring first, but Eddie's good positioning, combined with a lot of luck, kept the puck out of the net on a low shot. The game might have been different with the Avs scoring first.

Vile: . . . . Thu, May 27, 8:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The game would have been different if the Avs scored.

Tripp: . . . . Thu, May 27, 12:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well lady and gents... Hello from the NYU Med center! some rather sobering news here. Due to a spinal cord problem, my goalie career is now a memory. And to top it all off, the medical bills should be a doooozy. BUT no complaints outta the Trippster. Kay, here's the skinny...I've gotta liquidate the pads, gloves, etc... I'll put this on the market board, too. But if you or anyone you know is in need of this stuff, please e-mail me at Hockygolie@aol.com...all of this stuff is black/white in colour...NO puck marks, very new, in fact. Not even a funky odor. Bauer32" R3000 pads. asking $400. Vaughn 5500 Source Custom trapper for left hand..asking $200. Koho Pro rOY BLOCKER..asking $100. Vaughn2500 goal pants. size small.black. asking $80. Brown Excelc/a pad. cutout neck guard, but if you've got a klava collar, you're good to go..worn twice! asking $280. Vaughn 2500B blocker. a bit older, one or two marks..maybe a season old?$75 Thanks guys!

Grass: . . . . Thu, May 27, 4:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp -- What up? Seems like we are all starting to fall apart... Do you think it's because we've all aged a bit over the years?

Grass: . . . . Thu, May 27, 4:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
In any event, best of luck with whatever it is!

Tripp: . . . . Fri, May 28, 6:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Aged? HA! I'm a spry young 23 year old, my friend. Well, eventually I'll be spry again :-) One too many nights of suiting up in the heavy pads to play the game I love, all the while convincing myself "aww, my back's not that sore"...probably had a little to do with it. Still can't check mail from the hospital, but thanks for the well-wishes.

Vile: . . . . Fri, May 28, 7:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I must say, I am impressed by Mario's commitment to the your team Smott. I would really hate to see Fox and SMG get control of any team, so I really hope he succeeds.

Vile: . . . . Fri, May 28, 7:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Has anyone seen what's happening with the Libel suit by Bobby Hull? The media group has decided to smear Bobby and the NHL as its defense.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, May 28, 8:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Just read an article about the penguins possibly being bought and moved to Portland Or. by Paul Allen. Courts decided it's OK to keep the buyers ID a secret until the deal is done. Not looking good for the crowd in Pitt.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, May 28, 8:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Grass did you get those pics I sent?

smott: . . . . Fri, May 28, 5:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Trippster what gives my friend??? We all thought you were healing up?....All our thoughts are with you...

smott: . . . . Fri, May 28, 5:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And THANKS MY CHATSTER PALS for the flowers and M&Ms! Yes I do need the calories, they will come in handy!....

smott: . . . . Fri, May 28, 5:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and the latest scoop on my beloved Birds is that Pgh billionaire Mark Cuban has basically given Mario a blank check. THey will attempt to but out the SMG lease and be done with it. Inside word is that Mario will be tjhe team's newest owner, with money to burn, which mean sthey'll be able to keep the likes of Jagr and Straka & Kovalev around....

smott: . . . . Fri, May 28, 5:42PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and yes, in the last Avs-Stars games Eddie loomed large (though y'know what, so did the posts!). But I think the Avs aren't done yet. A little less horseshoes for Ed-O tonight and it's 2-0 Lanche already...

smott: . . . . Fri, May 28, 5:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile, has there ever been a conference finalist with less discipline in their own end than the Leafs? THey hang Cujo out to dry a dozen times a game. That giveaway by Cote was positively comical. I admire all you fellows who bleed blue, rooting for that team would give me an ulcer. So sloppy and un-disciplined. Meantime the Sabres, with a lot less talent but infinitely more organization and work ethic, should probably cruise.

snowman: . . . . Fri, May 28, 10:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve- It was weird and no the puck didnt go in but the ref didnt listen to anybody. it was a little heated about the call.....How the ##!!??#!@ could it be a goal if it never went in? ....then they called a penalty- unsportsman . Would have been a nice official donut to register, oh well.

Tripp: . . . . Sat, May 29, 8:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hiya smottsie! Yeah, I thought I was healing up rather well too... but the structural damage after my repeated shoulder injuries/surgeries ( I think it's all the years or wrenching my neck watching pucks sail behind me into the net..maybe if I'd have kept a few more of em in front of me :-D ) has compromised the stability of my cervical spine and neck area to the point where a pile-up in the crease, or just one of those funny twists or turns could cause some real big problems. But at this point, looking at my goal pads...and my old trophies, newspaper clippings and stuff hanging around my room is a bit too much to deal with. So the faded glories get boxed up for awhile, and I just wanted to see if any of you guys needed some good goal gear before I either A:) threw it all out ...or B:) Sold it on ebay or something. I really enjoy this site, and all of you guys...even young Wonderboy and his ego and stats :-) . I thought it was the least I could do to give you guys first crack at the stuff.

Tripp: . . . . Sat, May 29, 8:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
but the good news... I am now back at home, and out of NYC...THANK GOD. Love to visit the big town, but the 11 million people are a bit different than the 11,000 in my town, eh? Drives me nuts. Of course, so does laying in a hospital bed with a 103 degree fever and no solid food. Anyway, this'll be my last M*A*S*H* unit report :-) all of you guys have my e-mail address now if anything's ever up...feel free to use it. To keep the chat-loadup time down, I'll save the chat bandwith for the good stuff...goalie talk!

Tripp: . . . . Sat, May 29, 9:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Had to love the Avs/Stars, huh? Both goalies...simply awesome. AWESOME. Like Eddie or not, he was a wall and stayed tough. Every goal was unquestionable...physical play... two teams with skilled players out the wazoo....and OT t'boot. Does it get any better? Mmmph

deke: . . . . Sat, May 29, 10:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Tripp- Sorry to hear about the bad break. I know that your injury can't have been caused by watching pucks go in behind you because if so I'd have had to hang 'em up long ago. Hope your recovery is fast and complete. You are absolutely right about last night's game. That was playoff hockey at its finest. Never been a Belfour fan, but this series is changing my mind. Can't wait for game 5.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, May 29, 12:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For those of you who like/dislike Belfour, here is a good look at his "special" skates with comentary. It really is an inovative approach to goal skates if you think about it. For those interested click on this button

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, May 29, 3:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey gang, have a favor to ask. I've been checking the gear boards around the net but would like to hear from you if you know of a set of pads for a kid Size 28-30" any brand, good condition in the $250.00 price range. I'm trying to help out one of the local kids in town here that I coach. So if you know of anyone in your areal or some where on the net, please let me know, thanks

fourqts: . . . . Sun, May 30, 0:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Carpe check the sports exchange at button they have bauer r-1's in adult for that price and in jr for a little less... also itech 5000 jr and itech 3000 sr in that price range currently.... or just call them and ask for CAM.... tell him your dollars and he'll look around the store and tell you what he has for the bucks.... Has treated me really well in the past

fourqts: . . . . Sun, May 30, 0:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
or take a look at scott's 500 series pads and spend just about 50-75 extra.......

fourqts: . . . . Sun, May 30, 0:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
reactor 3 jr for 299 at source london

gbfreeman: . . . . Sun, May 30, 3:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
CDP, i will be going to the local play it again and will look out for pads for your young tender... may have something there possibly... can't quite decide what is going on with my roller game.... cut back this season from 4 teams to 2 and let those 2 know i was hanging them up for awhile after this season.... Feel like i am on the verge of burning out and feel a season off will relight the fires... Now the wierd part.... am playing the best i have played in forever .943 save and 1.00 gaa in 5 games... wondering if I found the joy in the game again or if i'm playing better because there is a definite end in sight.... Got to play in a war tuesday... Two 4-0 teams facing off for first... we won 3-0 and got to make a couple of great saves... puck looked the size of a basketball... Tripp, sorry to hear about the setback.... Smott, stay strong and gain weight...

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, May 30, 11:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thanks for the input guys. GB, sounds to me like you were just spreading yourself a little too thin with 4 teams. 2 may be your magic number

Tripp: . . . . Mon, May 31, 1:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Holy smokes guys... got my mask pics back from Miska today. Man oh man is it awesome. It'll get a special place right here on the wall.

Tripp: . . . . Mon, May 31, 1:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
and what in the Same hell's with this crazy Avs series? Either airtight goalies stopping 45 a night, or run and gun shootouts. Entertaining, though! I really hope the Leafs help Cujo a bit more tonight and extend this series.

Beatts: . . . . Mon, May 31, 7:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Damn it all to hell. See you all in the fall...Please Dallas or Colorado, Beat the crap out of Buffalo !! I beg you...Wipe that smug look off Peca's face

C5: . . . . Tue, Jun 1, 6:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, unless Colorado is decimated by more injuries tonight, Buffalo won't last long, I don't think, with Hasek not at 100%. Still, he should be at 110% mentally, so we'll see.

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Jun 1, 11:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
like I said two weeks ago.... it appears that the West is kicking the crap out of each other whikle the east is scooting along. Buf is playing with 4 lines and all are contributing.... You don't see that in the West right now... Until you do, the cup is buffalo's to lose.

: . . . . Tue, Jun 1, 1:01PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Dallas has 4 lines contributing, and Colorado did before the injuries... well 3 1/2 anyway.

Vile: . . . . Tue, Jun 1, 1:02PM PST (-0700 GMT)
That was me, the Dallas homer...

fourqts: . . . . Tue, Jun 1, 2:07PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Maybe it is a style of play thing for dallas. And granted I'm not watching the west series as closely as I am the east. From what I read and saw during the season, Dallas's game is to get a one goal lead and hold it via defense. They dont seem to be doing this in the playoffs ala four or five come back wins in the playoffs.... I don't think Dallas went into the playoffs expecting belfour to make 45 saves in a night.... And I'm not an Eddie fan but thaat game was incredible from a tending standpoint. But I don't think the games are going Dallas' way at all. And granted I'm a phoenix homer and still feel Hatcher cost us getting out of the first round. No excuses for losing three straight by my pups, but if you add a healthy JR, I don't think it goes seven and ends in the OT period.

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 6:12AM PST (-0700 GMT)
lemieux's deflection last night was something else. Eddie had no chance. He's been handling the heavy load, and definitely not cracking under pressure. These last few games eddie has not been just facing outside shots, but hard, difficult situations, too. He looks a bit scattered on occasion, like he's trying too hard, but at this level, Roy has, too. I predicted Avs would do it, but that doesn't mean I'm cheering for them. I'd love to see Eddie go all the way so his detractors-- me included-- could give him a break.

J.T.: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 7:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies, long time. My contribution to the injury log happened over the weekend. 88 miles into a 104 mile bike ride, was run off the road by a couple of rednecks in a pickup truck. Net damage was a broken collarbone, arm, and half of Maryland Route 5 implanted in my face. It kills me, because the Ironman is now just 12 weeks away, and I can't swim for 8 weeks, and no running/cycling outdoors for 4 weeks minimum. Oh well....life moves on, even if insult had to be added to injury by my Leafs demise the same day...

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 9:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
JT, Jeeeeez! Did you get a place number? Honestly! Called the cops? Where was this, in BC?

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 9:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Has anyone noticed how many players are copying Sundin's stick curve-- or lack thereof-- and playing with a straighter blade?

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 9:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
What I'm getting at, I guess, is that the backhand shot is seeing a rennaissance in the NHL, I think. There've been some super-good backhand sniper goals in the last few games.

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 11:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes, Eddie is facing alot more than his 25 or less shots like the reg season, and he is playing very well, and hasnt lost his cool yet..I agree C5, the one that Rassmussen had top shelf over Cujo sticks out recently... and last night, Forsburg had Eddie down on a move from behind the net and couldnt get it up... had him beat high.. didnt see the 2 or 3rd last night, was surprised in the final the way the Avs came out in the 1st.

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 1:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
couple of questions.... First and foremost who out there picks up the cost of the leagues they play in themselves, and conversely, who has the teams that need them to play pick up the tab for the league fees? I ask this because, I have a few teams that want me to play for them but balk at the cost of picking up the keepers league fees. From the people I've spoken to around here, it is mixed as to who pays and who is covered. Thanks

smott: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 1:42PM PST (-0700 GMT)
OWWEEEE JT!!! Unbelievable!! Hope you got plate numbers....but the important thing is you're still here with us. Geez this Chat is becoming a hospital ward!

smott: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 1:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I hate to say it, but I have a sinking feeling that Dallas is actually going to pull it off. THey were the stronger team last night, Eddie was solid and continues to get the critical post when he needs it. And the Avs are simply not getting production out of their big names. Game 7 should be interesting to say the least. Avs do have the road-ice advantage but that's about it.

gbfreeman: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 2:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
fourqts, in regards to your question, i take care of my yearly dues and the cost for my first league fee. any other teams i play for i inform that they will have to pick up my fees.... it has worked out pretty well. the only time they bitched about is wasn't on a money front, it was the fact that they had to carry an additional skater which they thought messed up their lines... also, this has only been applied to roller, haven't had it come up in an ice league yet...

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 2:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smottie, I for one would love to see Dallas in there. Unlike the Avs, who've rented Fleury, for example, the Stars have been doggedly BUILDING their team for this. We'll see. The next game will be a KILLER. Drat, no hockey tonight. Oh, what am I going to DO in a few weeks???

Grass: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 4:35PM PST (-0700 GMT)
4q -- Like gbf, I end up paying for one team a season and the rink lets me play for another team gratis. (Seems there is a bit of a dirth of tenders in DC.) Recently I've been playing for one A level team and a Masters (read: old-farts) team. Works out pretty well & since I'm close to the rink, I'm pretty far up on the "help! our goalie didn't show list"...

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 5:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of Toronto, I was so impressed by the Leafs fans at the end of their last game. Don't take this as an anti-American rant, but an American team would finish their final, elimination game in a near-empty arena. The Leafs fans I thought shows a LOT of class the other night.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Jun 2, 6:42PM PST (-0700 GMT)
For my leagues, I generally don't pay, or when playing with my buddies, I'll pay half.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 6:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here's my problem. I am a huge Stars fan and a season ticket holder. I also have a game Friday night at 9:40 against a team that passed on me 3 months ago. Game 7 of the western conference finals starts at 6:30. I really want to stick it to this team, and I know my team is going to kick their butts up and down the ice, but I really want to show up the goal tender they picked over me :) But this is GAME 7 of the conference finals! I think I have convinced the league to push the game back 30 minutes which will work as long as it doesn't go to overtime... What would you guys do?

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 7:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi all. Vile, same thing happened a couple times last year hear in Detroit with my league night and a Wings playoff game on the same night. My league canceled the game and rescheduled for end of the season.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 7:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5, yeah, Leafs fans are one of a kind. BUT, Fans at the Joe (in the good ol' USofA) gave the Wings a standing O at the end of game 7 against the Avs.

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 8:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
the fees question was posed due to an Ice team wanting me to play through the end of this season with them... Their keeper paid his $400 at the begining but showed up one of the first four games and no call to anyone on the team.... I'm preparing myself for the next season and the fact that a guy getting merried is not gonna be able to shell out $400 right around the time he is footing the bill for the reception ect.... this season it is not going to be an issue as the other guy paid. Then my other delima... In speaking to this team after the first no show, they stated that they were going to stick out the season with their goalie (although nobody on the team liked him much). In the mean time another roller team asked me to tend... Same night... different places.... fun drive at 90mph this tuesday , but the games are at the same time next tuesday... And to make matters worse, the roller team is playing in a "c" league with too many "b" players... Last game 10 shots from the other team total.... lost doughnut cause teammate put it in on rebound on backswing from missed clear....

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 8:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the NHL.... My heart wants to see the Stars go home (see cheap shot on JR by "target man" next season that put the yotes in a horrible position in the first round) but I have to admit, they owned the AVS last game.... and /i think the crippled Avs v the sabres would not be as good a series as the stars / sabres. But I still go with my original predictions to get to the finals.... Avs-sabres

J.T.: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 9:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Nope, no plate number....I wasn't expecting to get cut off like that. Happened in rural Maryland actually. As far as the Stars go, I can't take it. I grow up in Winnipeg, and they steal my team. Go to high school in Minnesota, and now.....oh geez....

Vile: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 9:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Stars/sabres would be 2 teams that have never one the cup before. I don't think the Avs/Stars winner is a lock for the cup, like nearly everyone else in the west seems to think. We'll see... But everyone talks about the adversity it takes get the cup, and I wonder how much real adversity Buffalo has faced. They don't seemed to have been really challenged, or at least signifgantly pushed in a series, they certainly haven't faced elimination have they?

Vile: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 9:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
er make the won the cup, not one the cup...

Vile: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 9:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Buffalo will be well rested, but I don't think they'll be prepared for the determination they'll face from the winner of Stars/Avs.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 9:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
What do you guys think the most common Goalie number is? I like good old Number 1, but this C team wants to pick me up, but they have a forward already wearing 1... strikes me as stuipid for a forward to wear 1.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 10:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I checked out the rosters on ESPN, and here is the breakdown for the goalies they had listed. #1 -8, #20 -1, #27 -1, #28 -1, #29 -3, #30 -13, #31 -13, #32 -2, #33 -1, #34 -2, #35 -11, #37 -3, #39 -3, #40, #41, #49, #60, and #93 all have 1. How many teams have #1 retired? I know Toronto and Detroit both do.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 10:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Vile, I wear 33, but wish i didnt sometimes. 29 is cool in my book.

Goal35: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 10:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
as far as league fees... well, i've always paid my share, even when other teams have offered to pay mine if i played with them.. as far as goalies in the league, once you are paid, you could play with as many teams as you want... and I usually end up subbing once a week anyway...

z-man: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 10:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I wear #42.

fourqts: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 12:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
My theory is running along the lines of I pay for my sunday night league... That facility i could play for a different team every night and only pay for one league. Going to different rinks though.... the other teams are coming to me to have a goalie (and therefore another guy who want's to skate out can). I guess that if i approached a team and wanted to play with them, I should pay.... but back to the who is wanting who to play? As for numbers.... I decided to stick honor my father and revive our auto racing number... He flew the F-16 for 12 years in the service... therefore 16

gbfreeman: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 2:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wore 99 until the end of this season... picked 72 now... kind of a carlton fisk fan....

z-man: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 3:32PM PST (-0700 GMT)
My next number will be 23... I always liked Michael Jordan...

C5: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 5:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'd vote 29 or 30, whichever version of Mike Vernon you like best... ;-)

Tripp: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 5:56PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Used to be # 1 when I first started at age 5. It was the only goalie number they gave us . But then the Beezer came to NY, and I've been #34 ever since. Plus now I really like Dafoe, so it's still cool in my book.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 6:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Being a Kings fan and seeing Hrudey play, I wear #32.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 6:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As far as fees, I pay my share for Ice but the team pays for Roller. When I started I paid a full share (because I was kind of a liability) but when I started playing well, I paid only 1/2...now I play well enough that teams will pick up my fees, although I've got to tell them that when they ask me to play. Of course, in roller, they're ALWAYS short of goalies, so we've got all the leverage...heheh...

deke: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 6:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
NYR have retired #1 as well (Giacomin). I can't imagine that it's available in Montreal or Chicago either, although I don't know for sure. As for numbers, I like 29 (for my age, I wish)

Toast: . . . . Thu, Jun 3, 10:34PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Alrighty...#29 thank you. Mr. Dryden and Mr. Palmateer. As for #1, Toronto has not retired it yet, it is just an honoured number, Only two numbers have ever been retired by the Leafs. As for teams that have retired #1, I do believe Montreal, NYR, Chicago, Philly, Detroit for starters...

Vile: . . . . Fri, Jun 4, 7:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wow, Toronto's a tough town if only 2 numbers have been retired... All that time and great players... The Stars have 3 retired numbers since 67.

Toast: . . . . Fri, Jun 4, 8:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The only reason Toronto retires a number is because of tragedy. They have "honoured" several numbers, but the numbers are still in use. Hey, wait - it might be three numbers now, nobody will ever wear Wilf Paiment's #99...or is that because of that other 99? :)

fourqts: . . . . Fri, Jun 4, 12:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
but all must admit that the NHL did the right thing in retiring 99 for all teams..... How many basket ball players wear 23? probably lots. Interesting aartigle in goalies world this issue.... comparing Gretz domination of records for skaters and Dom's domination of goaltending stats... This playoffs, it has been the goaltending that has won series.... The men in masks are finally getting a little more recognition for that easy job of stoping a 3" piece of rubber

Sieve: . . . . Fri, Jun 4, 12:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
now refresh my memory Toast, Wilf is the guy most people consider the greatest of all time, right? Hmm, seems like I'm thinking of someone else.....

deke: . . . . Sat, Jun 5, 10:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sabres/Stars final. Kind of cool to know it will be a first cup for whichever franchise wins. Dallas has to be the sentimental favorite, but it's hard to imagine Dom getting beat 4 of 7. Patrick tried a little too hard in the third period, and got burned on the blind clear. Can't say I was sorry to see the Av's go down, but a closer game seven would have been more fun to watch.

C5: . . . . Sat, Jun 5, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Deke, I've been burned like that. Wahh was going out of his way-- and net-- all night to try and make plays. That was a bad goal, but it was the fourth, right? I think. And to his defense, he could say, c'mon, guys, what, were we supposed to win 1-0?

Beatts: . . . . Sun, Jun 6, 4:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The problem with Pat Roy is that he thinks he Marty Brodeur with the puck...NEWS-FLASH...He isn't. He actually hinders his team with his constant urge to touch it. He rarely lets his wingers set up for their break-out, thus, shooting the puck past them either for an icing or a turnover.

Beatts: . . . . Sun, Jun 6, 4:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I forgot an "is" just before "Marty" in my last statement...sorry!

C5: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 6:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
b * * * * * Announcing! * * * * * The ALL-NEW 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs Goalie Picture Page! * * * * * Check it out! All new images from the 1999 playoffs, in a stunning new interface! See it here at this button /b

smott: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 8:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmm, well I was #1 for my 4 college years. Then #31 (the guys voted for it because they loved Kenny Wreggett can you believe it?) for a fairly successful C squad. Lately I favor #29 (my wannabe age) heh heh heh...

smott: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 8:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, Eddie beats Roy in a playoff Game 7. Go figure.

smott: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 9:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...in related news, hell freezes over.

smott: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 9:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Actually it seemed the Avs were the ones who froze. Never seemed in the game at all. Dallas played a good Dallas-game. But with apologies to Vile and other Stars-fans, Dallas aggravates me because in a lot of ways they are what's so annoying about hockey. A real take-no-chances-clog-the-middle-wait for a breakdown team. When with their skill level they could be playing firewagon hockey and thrilling us to death, not boring us to death. With Buffalo's close-checking style we could be looking at an awful lot of dull hockey.

smott: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 9:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Meanwhile, a smottsie-news-tidbit. Tonight I am back on the ice! Yikes! Hope I don't cheese out. Wish me luck, fellas....

: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 10:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
whats up

Vile: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 10:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, game seven was fun to watch, and even tho colorado didn't keep it close, you always knew, at any moment the Avs could rack up 3 quick goals, so it maintained the suspense until that fourth goal. That's when I left. I got to my game 15 minutes to spare, got on the ice halfway through our warm up period. Only 8 guys showed up for my team. I had talked a lot of smack to the other team, and only 8 of my guys showed up. we lost 5-4 and I had to eat a lot of crow.

Goal35: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 11:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi all.... good luck tonite smottsie.. have got a late one tonite myself... and after the storms knocked out power since 5 yest aft, yours truly got about 3hrs of sleep.. hope the guys are ready to play after a 2 week layoff - only playing .500 hockey so far, not real promising... and my hats off the Eddie.. he's played well enough to get there.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 12:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp, got the pics in the mail. I'll let you know as soon as I see my friend. Those are some nice looking pads, nifty design on them. I'm sure he'll be interested.

fourqts: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 1:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
gl smottsie.... Hope you do well.... Well here are the weeks scores for me... Sun night roller B win 7-4... Good O whole game made a few lookie what i found in my glove saves... Was fun. Tuesday 9:00 c roller win 6-1 the one was put in by my own defenseman trying to get cute right in front of me rather than just clearing the puck. Tuesday 10:10 Ice arrived at the end of the first period (due to the 9:00 roller game and subsequent fast drive between rinks) we are down two at the time... Win 4-3... The one that went in should have been stopped but i was still in roller mode on the save (trying a skate save) instead of pulling the Roy style slyding butterfly... Doh.. Was a good week all around

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 6:42PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Tripp I need to know what size the C/A is before I see my friend

smott: . . . . Mon, Jun 7, 9:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm well back from my first game and we lose 3-1. Pretty frustrating - my guys were in the box all night, 5 penalties in the 3rd alone. Most were of the hotheaded-zero-self-control variety. What is it with young guys anyway? They can take a penalty or two as long as they're scoring goals but here we are 1-1 in the 3rd and the other guys are on their 4th straight power play. Oh well. I played OK, considering 6 weeks' off. Struggling a bit to follow the puck, beaten on a screen first goal but no real complaints. But geezoid am I gonna be sore tomorrow!

Tripp: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 2:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
You realize that even if Dallas wins, Eddie is still going to get less respect than he may deserve. Dallas is "the President's Trophy winner", a "powerhouse defensive squad geared to keep the shot total down". But if Hasek wins "He WON the Cup for Buffalo". Ahhh such is life as a goalie. At least once ya win it, they can never take Lord Stanley away from you

snowman: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 3:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott- good to hear you back on the ice.

snowman: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 3:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I dont think Eddie will be all that worried if he wins the cup. I am hoping for nice long series with close games and GREAT saves!

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 5:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, glad to hear you are back on the pond. Tripp, your block has a 1.000sv% for summer season so far. 2-0 win last night.

C5: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 7:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Kids.... um, did you see the goalie playoffs page? Anyway, I'm back on the ice this Friday for my first game filling in. I'm gonna have to be in the zone and play well, because I'm establishing a reputation in a whole new rink. Chelsea Piers, by the way, is a NICE rink. Good ice, nice people so far.

C5: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 7:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The ALL NEW picture page is at this button

smott: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 11:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep Eddie will not get respect even if he wins. Such is the life of a Presdient's Trophy, 18 shots a night goalie. If he was getting 40 a night like Hasek, maybe. Oh wait - he did, when he played for San Jose! Oh, hmm, never mind.

smott: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I am sore today and I'm back on the ice tonight. But it was fun playing even if I was out of sorts. My brain was in overdrive, but the old body was not ready to keep up. First goal went something like "Uh oh...odd-man, partial screen, where the *&^*^ is it, yikes, HERE IT IS, aieeee off my arm and in!" Heh heh. But I got a little better.

smott: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 11:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh well, I guess it's impossible not to pick the Stars over Buff. But I hope Dom steals a couple and scares the pants off them....

Toast: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 6:06PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Okay, I am now 11-3 after 1-1 in the semis. I am picking the Sabres 'cause no one else is.

deke: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 9:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Good call Toast! Terrific start to the finals. I don't know if anyone else thought so, but when they were reviewing the puck that went of Skrudland's skate, it looked to me like it went over the line and came back out off Belfour's toe, which was definitely behind the line. Doesn't much matter now. Any way you slice it though, this has the makings of a classic final.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 10:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey goalies..... Well I finally decided on a training camp to attend. I'm going to Waterford Michigan on the 25-27th to attend the camp of the Metro Jets of the CSHL(Junior B). The coach is a great guy, he is also a scout for the OHL. They have their own private locker room and everything. Sounds pretty cool. The NHL, OHL, College and Jr.A all scout the CSHL. The CSHL is regarded as one of the best Junior B leagues in North America. I can't wait. Six goalies will be at camp, including me and a goalie that is already on the team(Hear this, that goalie on the team is 6'7"!!!!! Wow, that's tall). They are looking to fill the 2nd and 3rd spot. The coach told me I have a very good chance on making the team. I just can't wait..... Anyways, Dominik Hasek was amazing tonight in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals. He is truely the best goalie in the world.

smott: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 10:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
WOw, after getting smoked the first 2 periods, Buff suddenly remembered what to do! And I bet Dom is breathing a sigh of relief after that bonehead pick on Modano to give up the tying goal. And was it just me or does he look like he's really sore, getting up so slow?

smott: . . . . Tue, Jun 8, 10:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And speaking of 3-2 scores, I came up on the short end of that one again tonight. So, rats, 0-2 in my comeback. But actually played very sharp, nothing doing on the goals. And stopped 5 breakaways in the 3rd when we started pinching. But needed one more save tonight. Oh well, no complaints, just glad to be out there.

Vile: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 7:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That was a wierd game, the 2nd period seemed to be one very long power play, I think it tired the Stars out... but to only be down a goal after 1 period, Sabres had to feel pretty good. They came out possessed 3rd period. for some reason there Stars always need to lose to get their heads stright again, so game 2 ought to be huge (all finals games are huge tho) This series looks like an irresitable force vs immovable object sort of contest.

smott: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 7:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I was surprised, Stars don't usually lose a 3rd period like that. Game 2 should be great.

Papillon: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 9:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I had a big scare last night. I usually wear a clavicle and throat protector in addition to the clear throat shield that hangs from my mask, well it was hot here yesterday, so I leave the C+T off, then during the game I take a shot on my clavicle, which bounces up underneath my clear throat shield, leaving yours truely sprawling on the ice in agony, luckily I only have a bruising on my clavicle and throat. Don't think I'll be leaving the C+T in my kit bag any more.

smott: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 10:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Papillion, hmm sounds like a scary and unusual shot. Of course it will happen the one day you leave the C&T off. Yup summer hockey can be hot eh? Got on the ice last night after a 90+F degree day, right after a high school tryout. Ice was soft and full of grooves and cuts. With my newly sharpened skates I was stumbling all over the place. And boy it was hot in there, I was dripping. Even brought Gatorade in my water bottle for a change, which helped.

snowman: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 11:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
papillion- I can relate to the shot on the clavicle. I caught one there last year in the summer during a warmup.The guy who shot it thought it hit square on my adams apple. Lesson learned, there is never a time to not put on the protection

GoalieHack: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 12:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, I had something similar happen to me. I had just recently outgrown my cup, and instead of trying to squeeze myself inside this thing just one more time, I figured, "Hey, I don't need this thing. I am so fast and agile, I can just avoid any shots to my delicate areas." So I am sure you can see where this is going... The game was going really well for about 2 1/2 periods. I had faced 26 shots and made 28 saves. We were up 6-0, and the other team was really starting to press. Well, there was a pile up in front of my crease, and I am trying desparately to find the puck in the middle of this mess. Suddenly I see a shot go high glove side and manage to snag it comfortably. I was feeling smug about my catch, holding my glove up like Patrick Roy, when someone fell into my crease. I am a little embarassed to admit this, but he stepped square on my crouch and severed my left testicle. I think you can guess the moral of this story.

Vile: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 1:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm... sorry to hear about that...

Vile: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 1:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, I just found out the goalie I played against last game after the Stars/Avs game seven last friday, is a web designer. He keeps a dairy of his games. So I am on the web as the "Blades Goalie" Not great because I lost that game, but it is kinda cool to see myself. I've never seen pictures of me playing before. If you are bored, you can check it out button There are a couple of good pictures of me, then a couple of pictures of me getting scored on. Still, kinda makes me feel like a real goalie.

Vile: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 1:10PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm, he has a diary of his games, not a dairy.

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 1:39PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah, Vile, the that's the Zen of the Finals, eh? Cool link, too. I'm a Web Developer, too, up here in NYC, now. Used to be in Atlanta. I've got a cool picture page of all the goalie pix from the playoffs at this button

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 1:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Vile, that button doesn't work, but this button does.

C5: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 1:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And that page is great! Check it out, goalies. Pretty funny. "It's not that I was blocked from seeing the shots. I was BARRICADED!" :D

jake: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 2:49PM PST (-0700 GMT)
goaliehack thanks for making my afternoon a whole lot brighter. although i am sorry to hear about the shots to the throat and cavicle's of you other goalies . never been hit there and hope never to be.

Beatts: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 3:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hehehehe....GoalieHack, you kill me... ;~)

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 3:56PM PST (-0700 GMT)
toastie.... not true nobody was picking the sabres in the series.... (athough it seems late as of right now)... During the semi's i stated that the WCF series was not for the cup.... The sabres are playing very together as it sat at that time... And there is no way a phoenix homer would ever pick the Stars.... So two picked the sabres when the series started.

fourqts: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 4:02PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for my play.... Played ice last night... with an opponent camped on my doorstep for the entire game.... Was not pretty... 8-2 final I'd say two or three of their goals could have been stopped.... I don't think I have ever seen as many 3-1's in 45 minutes before in my life. The team was graceful and were telling me that the goals were not my fault, but it is still frustrating coming clear across the crease, getting a piece of the shot from about 4-5 feet away and it still pops in... I felt i was a fraction of a second away from stoping about four of their back door scores..... GRRRRRRR......

Goalie Hoax: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 4:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
You think that severed testicle was bad wait until you hear what happened to me. I had been practicing my glove save from the splits position during the off season so I'd look as well as be the hottest thing on the ice. Well there I was, game time. All is going well, I'm playing outstanding , as usual. In the locker room after the first period all my team mates and the coach were telling me how good I was and it was because of me that the other team had yet to score a goal even though I'd already faced 55 shots. I go out for the second period and I'm instantly facing a barage of shots that I easily turn aside. I figure I might as well slip in the glove save from the splits move and impress the little honey with the large breastesess thats been eyeing me all night. The other team breaks down the ice with a 3 on 0 and my team trailing in hot pursuit. The 3 players pass it back and forth and I effortlessly follow the play as it develops. The puck carrier takes his shot from the right wing just inside the face off circle. What do you know!!! perfect for my glove in the split save. I quickly drop into a full post to post split and glove the puck as it nears the upper corner....nothing but snag!! I throw a look to the hottie in the stands so she knows I did it for her. Well the other 2 players continued to charge the net figuring I'd give up a rebound on the initial shot. I'm still down in the splits puck in my glove when the 1st of the remaining 2 players crashes into me, this causes me to fall down and lose a few cool points but I manage to hang onto the puck and hold it up for the hottie to see. Right about this time the 3rd player has reached the net and he jumps up to avoid his team mate sprawled on the ice in front of the goal and comes right down on my neck with both of his skates!!! My head was severed from my body almost instantly and blood was every where!!! I looked around quickly to make sure I still had the puck in my glove...once I figured out where my head was in relation to my body..... and it was still in my glove being held up by my headless body. It was then that I relized what had happened to me and I knew the ref was going to call a goalie interference call for sure....what luck!!! Well the trainer finially ran out onto the ice and I yelled to him that he should place my head back on top of my body, he did and the bleeding stopped. I then told him to put a few butterflies on it and a wrap of duct tape for good measure and to keep the refs happy(damn rules). The coach wanted to send in the back up but there was no way in hell I was about to give up the net just because I had my head severed. So come talk to me when you have your head severed and quit whining about your little testicle rolling around on the ice, take it like a man for christ sake!!

snowman: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 7:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
toast- 11-3 is pretty good...I think I have only picked 3 right!!!

snowman: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 7:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of blood on the ice the last time I saw a lot of blood on the ice was when a guy got his backed ripped open with a skate.....needed lot of stitches.

smott: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 7:36PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ouch! Well I can safely say I've never had my head severed out there! And of course testicles are not something I have to worry about! But I did once get a concussion/head split open thing which required a few stitches. Right through my trusty old Cooper SK600. Which survived unscathed by the way. Fortunately no chance of that with the P-M nowadays. THe stitches were fine actually, hardly hurt at all, but the concussion was a bear. I didn't feel right for 2 weeks.

GoalieHawk: . . . . Wed, Jun 9, 9:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
My evil twin does it again.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 4:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Check out his site to see some Tommy B style pads for sale. Definatley different click this button

Goal35: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 6:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi all... finally took one in the new mask in game mon nite, so far- so good - wierdest part was guys/ref all coming over asking if i was okay, I didnt even feel it - would have been a headache for sure in the old one... Test tonite to see how much Dom's groin tightened up after the workout tues... maybe he'll stay home a bit more tonite too... his pick move needs work.. :)

Vile: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 7:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
It seemed to me the Stars really tried the 5 hole on Hasek Game 1. I guess they were hoping to stress his groin, we'll see I guess. A few people around Dallas are worried tonight, because apparently Clinton plans a 7:00 speech tonight...

Sieve20: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 9:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hello

wolfman: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 10:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve I got the pics back but they didnt turn out very well.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 12:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
whoa, another Sieve??? spooky.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 12:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi there Wolf. How ya been? Hmm, what happened to the pics? maybe they are just of me getting scored on, eh? Anyway, are they too shabby to submit to C5 for his pic page?

Toast: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 2:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh my...quite the piece of creative writing above. I hurt myself reading it...

deke: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 9:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Stars fight back! Too bad there's been no hitting in this series. Great to see Brett Hull get the game winner, but I was sure that they were in trouble after not capitalizing on the two man-up situation. At long last a finals without a sweep. Love to see this one go seven.

wolfman: . . . . Thu, Jun 10, 10:19PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve check it out to see if you like them.www.Wolfman.GoalTenders.com I just started it and dont really know what im doing :>)

gbfreeman: . . . . Fri, Jun 11, 6:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For all those who have not heard yet.... ESPN reports that Mike Madano (sp?) broke his wrist and injured his shoulder and is done for the series.... time to shuffle those lines even more..... undefeated team 5-0-0 undefeated no more 5-0-1 after d kicked the puck past me for their second goal.... aggravating....

Tripp: . . . . Fri, Jun 11, 7:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Any chance they could stretch this series into a best of 9 or 11 or 13? Hasek might drop dead, but these are some awesome games. Much better than the recent snooze-fest finals of late.

smott: . . . . Fri, Jun 11, 8:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Best of 9 or 11 I doubt there would be anyone left standing....

smott: . . . . Fri, Jun 11, 8:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Funny thing, I was just thinking last night in the 3rd "Hmmm neither goalie has let in a stonker so far..." Then Ludwig sneaks ones 5-hole on Dom. Which turned out to be a big goal. Oh well.

Toast: . . . . Fri, Jun 11, 10:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I think that 5 hole goal on Hasek hit a skate and changed direction. The other two goals were zero chance, as was the first on Eddie. The second though, I think Eddie would like that one back.

Sieve: . . . . Fri, Jun 11, 1:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
wow Wolf, those pics are pretty rough... is it the prints or the scanner?

wolfman: . . . . Fri, Jun 11, 8:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
HI Sieve. The prints came out dark and they where long shots. I blew them up a bit and scanned them at 200dpi. I guess we will have to get together again and get some good ones.:>) To everyone on chat there is a over 35 tourney in London on labour day weekend in sept, if any one is interested. I dont know all the details yet.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, Jun 12, 3:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
C5 the new page(s) looks cool, I like how you set it up. Some great pics too. Good job

deke: . . . . Sat, Jun 12, 3:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey CdP, what up? I'm getting the Battram trapper broken in and liking it more each time out. Thanks again for the tip.

Tripp: . . . . Sat, Jun 12, 4:49PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I was looking at an old poster of Belfour from his Blackhawk days that's in my room. He's really tightened up his stance since he's worked with Tretiak. He used to stand with his arms and skates way wide, but his legs are much closer now. Just thought it was weird, that's all.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, Jun 12, 10:12PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Deke, I was looking at mine tonight while I was getting suited up for a game and liked how it has broken in. I am real happy with all of the Battram gear. There is a new guy trying to learn the position and he bought those Simmons "shooters worst nightmare pads" the ones that are R6 rip offs. I will say they are light but thats about it. For something brand new the pads where way soft and flexible, I don't think they will hold up to constant use. Besides the workmanship wasn't that impressive.

Duke_oy@hotmail.com: . . . . Sun, Jun 13, 1:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
If zen ever gets back on, please e-mail me about the Jofa helmut/cage combination.

Duke_oy@hotmail.com: . . . . Sun, Jun 13, 1:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
If anyone knows where I can get one of the Jofa with the clear plastic throat protector and the cage that attaches on the sides and pivots, write me.

Vile: . . . . Mon, Jun 14, 8:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Just had a realization this weekend, the other players on my team don't really care how many goals I let in, as long as it is less than they can score. Won my game 5-3, but I figured out, my team doesn't care if it was 5-4 or 5-1, as long as we win. I still care of course.

smott: . . . . Mon, Jun 14, 9:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Good point Trippster about Eddie. I think he has improved a lot on positioning and technique since working with Tretiak. He used to be all arms & legs flying around out there, now he is much more compact I think.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, Jun 14, 4:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey gang, I can't remember who was looking so I'll just throw it out in the open to everyone. I have a just about new pair of TACKLA(black) goal pants size 50( I'm assuming thats med-large) that I don't need. If anyones interested let me know.

gbfreeman: . . . . Tue, Jun 15, 6:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Vile, i agree, last night i had what i thought was a horrible game... let in four reletively soft goals.... hang your head in shame type goals.... 2 five hole..... but when the game was on the line (OT) i made the saves i had to... I always thought teams got more conservative in OT... i faced four 2 on 0 breakaways in the 5 minute OT... we won with 16 seconds left in overtime when my teammate threw the puck into a scrum in front of the net and it went off the defenseman and past the goalie... i actually felt kind of bad for him.... but we got the win and the soft goals were magically forgotten