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Chris: . . . . Sat, Aug 8, 9:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I just cleared the chat log. The log is stored in the archive as it will be in the future.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Aug 9, 5:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyone know of other exhibition games that are going to be played?

Tom: . . . . Sun, Aug 9, 9:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
No, check NHL.com

RocketGoalie: . . . . Sun, Aug 9, 10:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
CdP - other? I didn't see any posted in here...did I miss something? I know the exhibition season starts Sept. 18 or 19 and the regular season starts Oct. 9 with the Caps at Buffalo on ESPN...now THAT should be a good game!! Or, if your a junkie like me, you can check here button for the whole schedule.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Sun, Aug 9, 4:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Got a question for everyone...I don't know much about skate sharpening, but in the last couple weeks I've been losing an edge. I had the skates sharpened when they were new about a month or two ago and I'm not sure why I'm suddenly losing an edge, but I think they lost a little sharpness from a couple things I've done while walking on them. Anyway, can anyone educate me a little about this? What do you tell a skate sharpener to do? Do you do your own skates? How? Anyone try that company who does Belfour's skates (I can't recall the name, but he gets the front done differently from the back)?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Aug 9, 6:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
RG, most people have a 1/2 " grind put on goal skates, however, like Belfour,it can be a personal preference. I prefer sharp skates and don't find that it it hinders my lateral movement. I do find myself having problems when my blades start getting dull. My advice is get them done on the machine by someone who knows how to do goalie skates(ask beforehand) then the most effective way I've found to keep my skates the way I like them is to sharpen them myself with a handsharpener. You can get a goalie hand sharpener from just about any of the catalogs out there for about $25.00 and they are pretty much idiot proof. At $5.00 a pop having them done on the machine the hand sharpener pays for itself quickly. It takes about 5 mins to put the edge you like back on and your skates are always sharp. Some people swear by dull skates but I've found those are usually the heavy guys as well as the strictly stand up hold outs. Lighter goalies may want to try 5/16 grind or 3/8 that is normally on player skates to see if they can play with it, for some it is too much edge. Most people don't like sharp skates because it's less forgiving if you have problems with your foot work but you will find that if you tough it out and adapt to sharp skates you'll never go back to butter knives again. This is especially true for butterfly goalies who are constantly using their toes to get back up. You will find it a lot easier with sharp edges. The way Belfour grinds his skates is rather drastic and I think you'd find yourself having to buy new skates sooner than you'd like since his grind eats a lot of the metal but that doesn't matter when you don't buy your skates. Besides he personally grinds his blades and I don't think too many of us have acces to our own machine.

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 5:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi folks as for skates I go for the shallowest grind available (is it 1/2? I thought it was 3/4...) anyway even so I have to dull them down a bit on a piece of wood before I can skate on them....I gethtem done once every couple of months, I am not big on real-sharp skates, too easy for somebody with bird legs like me to catch an edge and twist a knee....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 5:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for the Pens, the bankrupcty thing seems like a Marino-ploy. Co-owner Baldwin will not go along with it. Also, teh NHL will take hold of the franchise should Marino declare bankruptcy.

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 5:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'm afraid that it's a convenient shortcut for Marino to get outta Dodge. Think the Pens will be done in Pittsburgh.

C5: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
We lost our game tonight 5-3, and it was mostly my fault. I was pretty rusty, and let in three kinda soft goals. I'd have gotten pulled from the game by the second. I got into the game in the third and didn't let any in, stopped two breakaways and one pretty shot I didn't see until it was 3 feet away from me, an amazing save, but other than that, we lost on the strength (or lack thereof) of those goals. Howver, in the dressing room, none of the discussion was on my lack of prowess in net. You would not believe the reffing in this game. In as long as I have been playing hockey, I have never, ever, ever seen a team get so royally F**KED like we did tonight. Of the 20-minute third period, CNN recieved 22 minutes in penalties. Twice we had three guys in the box. It was absolutely incredible, pop. If this had been an NHL game, the fans would have poured over the glass and KILLED the refs. I'm not shittin' you. The thing that sucks the MOST about this reffing debacle is that there's no way in hell the other team can feel good about taking it all. It was absolutely handed to them. Absolutely incredible.

C5: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
And I should add that no chatster here that knows me will ever recall me blaming a loss on the refs. I'm not one to do that, but last night was pretty amazing in that respect...

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yikes C5 that sounds like it really stinks...were these refs the normal guys? What's the deal?

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
How did your leg hold up? Hope you didn't make it any worse....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I snoozed through a 9-2 win last night on the first end of my double-header, then hauled 30+ miles in half my stuff to make it to the 2nd game, only to arrive and find the rink deserted. One guy just pulling out says they had problems with the ice, games cancelled. Geez thanks for letting us know.....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Who knows what it is about refs....we have one really easy-going ref, except he has this complex about the F-word, and seems to have like rabbit ears for it....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Last game he slapped our Cap (an equally easy-going guy) with a penalty for uttering the dreaded word while conversing with one of our skaters...so off to the box goes Cap, jawing the whole way...I'm wincing 'cause I can feel another F- coming!..."Geez somebody put a sock in Glen's mouth!" I'm thinking, meanwhile ref goes "What'd he say?...." as Cap gets to the box, yep rabbit-ears picks up another no-no word, that's 2 more....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
2 of the nicest guys you'd want to meet. Go figure.

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:43AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Of course I have been known to shriek some bad language myself, but he seems to ignore it coming from goalies....

C5: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and well he should. Gawd, I used that F-word a ton, but it was of no use. I'm dead serious, Smott, we were screwed by the ref. They got 2 power play goals on me. My knee felt spectacular. It wasn't spectacular, probably, but it felt so good to be bending and flopping around on it that that's how I'd describe it...

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Cool! Glad you are mending, and so quickly too! One of the benefits of being such a young puppy! :-D And yes I'm afraid I swear like a trucker now & then....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 6:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oops that was wierd...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 10:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thanks, as usual, CdP & Smott for your skate advice. I probably will go sharper and tough it out until I get used to it. Glad to know the catalog sharpeners work...which do you have? Anyone got advice on any to stay away from?

RocketGoalie: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 10:18AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Poor Pens fans...going from a Lemieux dynasty to having him retire out of frustration for bad officiating and a bad back and now facing the early 80's days of just making the playoffs...I feel for you (especially being a Kings fan myself)...

Tom: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 11:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I refed a Bantam summer league team yesterday (I didn't call anything) I don't think I should take out the whistle unless it is REALLY bad. That's why the coaches like me

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 12:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I hope you make the calls to protect the goalies!

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 12:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Most of the refs I know are pretty good...one guy is a former goalie himself and will make those in the crease or interference calls....one guy seems to ignore everything though, even after I have been flattened....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 12:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I end up sitting in the back of net looking up at this ref (usually through the ear-hole of my helmet!) going "What the *(&)*(& was THAT?" And he goes "Oh, um, incidental contact...."

Goal35: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 2:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
afternoon all... seems lime the ref bug is going around, we lost our game last night, not entirely due to the ref, we came out flat, and stayed that way... the team we played was 1/2 of the A team that cant play in B.. we lost to them 6-2, got outshot 56-30... i was cooked.... this league has a rule if you ave more than 2 mins a game you are on prob. for next yr, 3 mins a gm and suspended.. we have on player who is a good player, small guy... gets pounded on and only the retaliation calls get made... he's at 2.9 min... we had a guy shatter his stick on me on a rebound.... no call... some of it was prety ridiculous...

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 2:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
The skate sharpener I use is called the Pro-filer goalie and it works great.I also have the player model for my wife's skates and it's just as good a product. So I would say the have a good track record with me at least

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 3:23PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sounds like the refs have some bad Karma coming their way in the future after all of the woes stated here. Sure sucks to be them HAHA

Beatts: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 3:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi all, just back from holidays..My 2 cents on skate sharpening...Once you find someone who sharpens just right STICK WITH HIM/HER !! Believe me, if they do a good job and you keep coming back they will get to know you and they will remember exactly how you like them sharpened...I am extremely picky when it comes to my skates and there is nothing worse than being at an "away" arena and asking the guy for a 3/4" grind and he stares at you like a "deer in the headlights" You go out on the ice with only one edge....BIG piss-off!! The guy I go to is a genius when it comes to sharpening...Notice before i said 3/4" grind...I love a very sharp skate, but it is a fine line when sharpening them, that's why you stick with what works for ya !!

RocketGoalie: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 4:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, me too...had the puck covered - "control" was arguable, but it was definetly covered securely - and a guy took 3 whacks...that was a bad sign. We played a man down for about 1/3 of the game and the captain of the other team came over after and said that he saw at least 3 penalties on them that should have been called. We lost 6-5 on a goal with 40 seconds to go. My teammates blamed the refs and they definitely contributed but we missed some good scoring chances on a mediocre goalie...oh well...wait 'til next year.

ScottBattram: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 5:27PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for skate sharpening, 1/2" is a sharp hollow... 1" is the most common in goal skates, some even use 1 1/2" I will see if I can direct Ken Whetham of Skate Tech to this address to explain sharpening techniques, I wouldnt advise anyone to use the Profiler, or at least, dont use them on skates that have been balanced and contoures to a custom radius. I use a 1/2" hollow, as I like the skates sharp. But at the same time, I have had Ken contour and balance the skates thus giving me about 7.5" of blade on the ice. Contouring should be done once a year, and I can generally get about 20 hours of use out of the skates before needing to be sharpend. Once you have a contour on the blade, you need to have a good skate sharpener protect the contour. Most people are buchers when it comes to sharpening, Ken has taken a course that he had to pay about 4000.00 for, from a guy named Neil Carpenter (He does many big name figure skaters skates) And now Ken is having people drive as much as 2 - 3 hours to obtain his services. (This is the machine someone above spoke of for doing the Ed-Belfor skates) To contour the skate a radius bar is used and both blades end up the same, and a vertical grinding wheel contours the blades, then the final hollow is applies. Rule of thumb, if the skate is placed on a arm that moves across the wheel... go somewhere else.. a proper machine will have a holder that moves along a flat table... (Go to the skate - tech web site to see photos of the equipment, there is a link to Skate-Tech on my main page) If you have questions, email KEN, he is the skate expert that can be reached at "skatetec@execulink.com"

: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 5:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
snowman

RocketGoalie: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 7:31PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Okay...but what do us poor guys in San Diego do, where there is no such thing as an expert skate sharpener and the only shops I know of have the "bad" machine you describe?

gbfreeman: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 9:01PM PST (-0700 GMT)
RocketGoalie, Have you thought about trying to reach Sergei Naumov through the Sports Arena? If you go to the Gulls Booster club page you might have some luck contacting him. Or you may be able to find out who does his skates. This is my first time posting to this forum so I appoligise in advance if I stepped on anyone's toes. I am a roller hockey goaltender at RHI in Kearny Mesa, California and SportsPlex in Poway, CA. Recently ordered some pads from Scott and can't wait for them to get here.

Hardy Astrom: . . . . Mon, Aug 10, 10:11PM PST (-0700 GMT)
At my local sports store they recently got in a pair of Koho Roy's, 27" in black & white, I'm not sure on the exact model name, but I think the model name is the GP330 JR PRO. They are selling for $399 canadian a pair. I think this is a pretty good deal, I'd just like some other peoples opinions on it. As well, the store also has a koho potvin junior trapper for $169 canadian, I am not sure on the model name. Could someone give me some advice on whether or not these are good purchases/deals? I'd prefer replies are emailed, but it doesnt really matter. Thank you!

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 5:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hardy that sounds like a pretty good price on the Roy pads - or are they a junior model? Can't comment really on the junior prices...

Goal35: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 7:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hardy - from the new Boston Hockey catalog the GP-330 Jr Pro pads are $599 U.S., the GP-250 Jr 27" are $299 U.S. a koho 250 Jr trapper is $199 U.S.

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 10:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmm anybody know the Candian/US $ conversions?...meanwhile I am lovin; life with my new Lefevre blocker....so solid! Also the glove has mesh in it to keep your hand cooler and not get so soaking wet....good design...

Vile: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 11:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The rough conversion I saw was that US funds is 2/3 of CAN. ie $100 CAN is $67US. Of course I could be wrong.

Vile: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 11:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
and it does fluctuate

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 12:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi all. Today the Canadian $ is 1.5178 against the USD. Good guess Vile, actually $65.89.

Bink: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 2:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey peoples. I've been out of the loop for quite some time now. My summer league is over. We were 2-7. Oh yeah, we did have a tie also. We did beat the #1 team 6-1 though. Our team was up and down, well mostly down actually. it was fun though. Fall league starts in about a month. that was the first league i played in, and it was definitely a learning experience.

Vile: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 4:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
From people that know, how different is playing goal from roller/street hockey to Ice? damage potential seems to be down, how does it compare mechanics-size? Are the basic skills compatible? (I imagine this should ilicit some discussion :))

Vile: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 4:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
mechanics-wise

ScottBattram: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 4:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm... Rocket Goalie... maybe if hockey is a growing sport, you could invest in some skate sharpening gear!! heheh and go into business.. I know Ken does quite well up here, and has just opened a pro shop at our local twin pad arena's which will be good for us, as We will have equipment on display up there! He is a Police officer by day, so it makes for a great second income!! Ken also has skates shipped to him from the US to be contoured as well!

: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 4:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Just another chat button

ScottBattram: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 4:55PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Vile, I would guess that if you have all the ice skating skills, the transition should be easy to go from roller - ice, the name of the game is angle's and stopping the puck! Now Going from street - ice would not be quite the same. Cover the angle's and be in position and set for the puck applies to both! With Ice, you have the luxury of being able to slide! Thats one big advantage!

Vile: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 5:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm, I hadn't thought about the slide factor.

: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 5:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Vile - the slide is a factor and so is push-off. I've found that going from roller to ice isn't too hard but lateral movement is VERY different. In ice you can slide very easily on your pads, in roller, you can slide but you stop alot faster so your push has to be alot harder. On the other hand, I found that moving from post to post or simply moving from one side of the crease (or one side of the ice, depending on how far out of the crease you wander) is pretty easy in roller and alot harder in ice. At least it was hard for me to control my lateral movement since I learned how to skate inline before ice. I guess my lateral MOVEMENT was fine...my lateral STOPPING terrible...heheh.

: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 5:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I've got a few friends who have played pro roller and pro ice and they think it's ALOT harder to adapt from ice to inline than from inline to ice. Only one plays goal but they all think that things you learned on ice (the "hockey stop", turning, quick starts) don't transfer well to inline but things you learn at inline are more usually basic (make a wide turn, lower your center of gravity to stop) are pretty easy to adapt to ice once you get the feel for it. I'm sure different people experience lots of different stuff, but that's what I've heard from them.

: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 5:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Another difference is the equipment. You can get by with smaller, lighter equipment in most roller leagues but if you use that same stuff in ice, you're liable to end up in a hospital if some guy (or gal) takes a hard shot and nails you on your wrist or thigh. If you've been playing in ice quality equipment, of course, there's no adjustment.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 5:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Whoops, I just realized I've written all this and my name's not there...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 5:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
So Scott, you want to finance a start-up business? How much would this cost? $10,000 for that machines, $4,000 for the class and, what $100,000 to start flying in enough ice hockey players to keep me busy...heheh

ScottBattram: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 7:31PM PST (-0700 GMT)
nahh, a good skate sharpening machine could be had for about 2,000 bucks Canadian! The contouring machine is the expensive one! But its not really needed if you just want to sharpen the skates!

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 8:04PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh, that's all? Count me in...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 8:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
So Scott, what's your take on what a goalie like me should do? CdP's been playing a while and likes the profiler but you didn't like it as much as your friend. Since I don't have easy access to your friend, what's the next best thing in your opinion?

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 8:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Of course, I meant that you didn't like the profiler as much as your friend's sharpening ability...not as much as you like your friend........

wolfman: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 9:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Day 2 of PuckStoppers OOOOOOWWWWWW. I've got muscles that are sore that I didnt even know I had. But on the upscale I'm learning alot. Long days up at 6:30 on the ice at 8:15 off the ice at 10:15, 15 min undress then 15 min discussion then 1 hour dryland lunch and 2 more hours of ice drills. Then I go to work till 11:00. But Its worth it, I think? LOL Oh that hurts. HaHa

wolfman: . . . . Tue, Aug 11, 9:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sorry for the double post.

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 7:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
What a bummer.. just checked league standings, we are in a tie for 1st with one game left, the team we are tied with gets to play the last place team.... I told the guys those 2 forfeits were gonna bite us in the ass......

Goal35: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 7:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Grass - was it you who ordered up new gloves from Scott? and if i remember right, you used to have a Cobra glove... was just wondering what you thought of it....

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 7:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Too bad G35, but it's the playoffs that count not reg season standings!....

: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 8:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott - yea, but to my surprize, no playoffs in this league for summer...

Bonn: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 9:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey, this is my first time here at this site and I have a question regarding goal pad maintenance. What should be put on Clarino, or Jenrino pads to protect them from water damage? I read that they are waterproof, but after the first time I wore them they were soaked pretty good on the bottom, which tells me the material inside is getting wet, and will probably not dry probably. Should I use some sort of silicone spray to protect them? As well, should I use Scotch Guard on the felt and cordura areas? I hope so, cause you can get a pretty good buzz off that stuff! (Kidding...)

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 9:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Bonn...

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 9:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have used Sno-seal on leather, don't know how it would work on clarino...yes Scotch-guard is a good bet for the felt stuff...

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 9:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I don't usually wish for winter but it sure is a lot easier to keep stuff dry when the furnace is running!...

: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 9:52AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, that's true, but I'd rather keep the moisture out in the first place, than soak it, dry it, soak it, dry etc. etc. This is my first pair of synthetic pads. My last ones lasted 12 years through proper protection with Dubbin or Mink oil, but obviously that stuff's no good for synthetics.

: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 9:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have searched a bunch of the manufacturer's web sites looking for equipment care tips however, much to my chagrin, none of them have any info whatsoever on what to do to protect your investment (not even Battram's!). I saw his name in the chat archive, so I thought he might read this and get the hint (subtle as it was!)

Bonn: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 10:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oops! I forgot to put in my handle on those last two messages. Just in case there's any confusion, they're mine!

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 10:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I eventually wound up gluing leather patches over the worn areas...but yes waterproofing is important...there's got to be some kind of spray-on silicone stuff...

Sieve: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 10:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi all. hmm, I've been going on the assumption that clarino is pretty much maintenance free. Have scrubbed them clean a couple times with a brissle brush and water. thats it.

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Actually water has been a problem since I got out of my old styrofoam Vics and into the Louisvilles which are leather/stuffing. They get wet & heavy, which can be tough in Game 2 of my Sunday doubleheaders....not only are they heavier but I don't slide as easily, the wet pad seems to stick/freeze to the ice a little bit...

Beatts: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 12:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
EMILE FRANCIS, goaltender, New York Rangers, describing how he handled a shooter who liked to use his head for target practice: "One night he skated past me after winging one right by my ear. He stopped for a second and muttered, 'Watch out for me, Emile. I'm shooting a little high tonight.' Next time he came by, I had caught the puck and I threw it way out to my left. While everyone was looking over there, I gave him a fine two-hander with the lumber. Right across the ankles. While they were examining him, laid out on the ice, I skated over. [I reached the stricken skater and said] 'Hey, I'm sorry, but I'm hitting a little low tonight.'"

Beatts: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 12:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That...is Classic.....hehehe

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 1:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
wolfman OWOOOO heh heh hope you are survivng Puckstoppers! Any chicks in the class?

ScottBattram: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 5:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
BONN, We do indeed have a section on equipment care on our website: you need to go to PRODUCT INFO, then there will be a BAR appear to the right of our WEB COUNTER, in that bar you will find: EQUIP CARE click on that... it will tell you a little bit about the materials used, and what to put on the pads!

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 5:59PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn, I use a silicone spray(camp dry) on my pads and it does work on keeping the snow build up off. I also use it on the inside leg channel as well in the entire boot area since it's on the ice constantly. I do recommend you buy a spray that is at least 13% silicone whether you use it on pads or camping gear, ect . as it protects the product better and for longer

RocketGoalie: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 6:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
So Scott, any ideas for us sharpening-challenged people?

RocketGoalie: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 6:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
gbfreeman - what team do you play on? I know a couple people playing at RHI. Also, how do you like the place in Poway? I haven't been there yet and was wondering what else it compares to around here...

ScottBattram: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 6:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, best thing to do is to try to find someone in your area who does a good job and stick with them. The profiler is used to maintain a good sharpening... but from my experience with it, it just didnt work well at all (Actually, Ken got into his business because he wasnt happy at all with the sharpenings he was getting at local shops, and then he got the profiler, and wasnt happy with that either, so he spent about 15,000 bucks and got set up!) He told me it was all paid for within 1 year, and now he has purchased 2 more new machines to put into the pro-shop he is opening on Monday. Other than that, I dont know what to tell ya! It must be terrible not having a good skate sharpener to turn to in your area!

RocketGoalie: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 6:31PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, I can hear all you Canadians cry for me...haha...got any suggestions on what to look for or what to ask or tell one of the locals here? I mean, other than just getting it sharpened and seeing if I like it...?

wolfman: . . . . Wed, Aug 12, 8:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi smott I can hardly walk today both quads hurt like hell. As a matter of fact there are 2 girls in the class.One from Michigan(17) and one from Ohio (13). THe girl from Mich is in my group. Shes doing very well. gota go and hit the ice(packs) that is. HAHA

Bonn: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 4:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott Battram: Thanks for the info! I apologize for the dig, but I thought I'd searched everywhere. Oh well, the info you provided was helpful, and much appreciated. Later

Bonn: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 10:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have another question for the entire group. Does anyone know any good concentration exercises for maintaining one's focus during a game? Also, I've heard of eye exercises for seeing the puck better (I imagine the two exercises go hand-in-hand)... anyone got any info or advice?

gbfreeman: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 10:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
RocketGoalie, I play for DNRC (Copper A), Weasel's (Copper A), Rollin' Thunder (Copper A), and Name Pending (Copper AA). Played the other night for South Park Cows (Bronze A) and we got outshot 25-21. Finished with a 3-3 tie and they are talking about me being their regular goalie. As for Poway, the facility is pretty nice. They are still having some problems with the surface (Concrete that at times is to slick) but seem to be getting better. Their boards are made by Border Patrol and have pretty true bounce. However, it needs to be made illegal to build a roller rink in California that runs East/West. The sun can be brutal coming off the surface. As for cost, Sportsplex doesn't charge a membership fee (they charge an entrance fee $2.00), league fees are $70 for a 10 game season, and unlike RHI, there is no additional charge for playoffs. They are using the same refs as RHI. Since it is a new facility, the level of play in the leagues is kind of uneven. I have some information about the teams I play for on my web page at button Whooo, that was long

gbfreeman: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 10:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn, the thing I do to improve eye coordination is play ping pong on the day of games. Also, I saw a report on ESPN talking about eye training that Greg Vaughn of the San Diego Padres went through to improve his vision. Maybe an optometrist in your area could recommend someone who does this?

gbfreeman: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 11:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
RocketGoalie, I screwed up on the url for my homepage. It is button

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 12:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I just read about Marino visiting Kansas City and I want to offer my condolences to Smott. I think he is just posturing, and I have a very hard time imagining NHL Hockey in Kansas City.

wolfman: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 12:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott; the girl is from New York not Mich and she took a hockey school at Cornel U. Just thought youd like to know. I'm off to work and I'll check in at 11:00.

wolfman: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 12:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong with the 2x posts??

Tom: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 2:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyone on?

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 2:59PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Here is a really lame question... as a new goalie, how do you decide what hand you catch with? I always assumed I would catch in goal the same as baseball. But in baseball you want your strong arm for throwing. If I understand equipment right, I catch with my left, block with right, and the goal stick will basically look like a lefty stick. I suppose as long as I start early, I could learn either hand.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 3:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I am right handed so my strong arm is right and weaker arm is left.

ScottBattram: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 4:33PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Vile, you want to use whatever method feels the most natural to you... a good drill to determine a young goalies handedness is to put a goal stick down, and tell them to "Pick it up with one hand and hold it like a goalie" chances are, they will pick it up with their natural hand. Myself, I catch right, and block left, I naturally shoot right. I catch a baseball in the left and throw right! I write right handed as well! So.. its whatever hand you feel most comfortable with. No way to really "tell"

ScottBattram: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 4:34PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn - no offense taken with your dig! The info didnt really jump out at you, but it was there!

ScottBattram: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 4:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Wolfman, what, your legs a little sore???? Hmmm... when I saw you on Tuesday, it wasnt exactly as though the sweat was pouring off of you! hahah... you wouldnt survive at Future Pro! I saw they had a 40 min RUN for the elite group! heheh... We swung up to Lucan after stopping in at London to check out Steve McKichans school... as usual, it was looking awesome. If we get finished early tomorrow, I may try to get back to London and Lucan to take some digital images of you in your Battram gear, and Steve in his new Canuck coloured stuff... looks pretty awesome on a former NHL keeper!! hehe

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 5:07PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I had a funny feeling that might be the case... I have heard some mention that Right catching goalies are unusual, and can confuse shotters. (Similar I guess to right hitters against left pitchers etc)

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 13, 5:10PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm, shooters

Bonn: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 5:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all! I was playing last night and took a slapshot from the top of the circle, right on the collarbone, just below my throat. OUCH. I've got an old John Brown throat/clavicle protector but I'm thinkin' I should replace it with something with a little more protection. Do the new ones have much more padding, or do I have to resort to one of the clear, hanging ones (I really don't like that style). If anyone has any suggestions, or experiences in this area, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Bonn: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 9:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyone on right now?

Bonn: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 10:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyone?...anyone?...Bueller?

Sieve: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 12:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi all. Its story time here at the Goalie's Domain... Wondering what my fellow chatsters would do in my place: My team (crappy) is losing last night 8-1 late in the 3rd when along comes the antagonist of this tale. He is a member of the other team who got into a skirmish with one of my players who at the end of the altercation decided to expectorate upon this fellows chest (hehe). Anyways, Mr. Antagonist scores goal #9 and proceeds with an audacious drawn out celebration of his increasing the lead to eight. Well, I (protagonist) mildly freaked and gave chase spewing obscenity all the way. About half way out, just as I'm dropping my stick and about to shake the gloves, the ref skates toward me and yells to get back to my crease. Fighting is ejection + two games in my league, and based on that I stopped short and unleashed every obscene gesture and remark known to English speaking folk. Upon reflection, it WOULD have been worth two games to blast that guy. What do you think chatsters? The end.

Sieve: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 12:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, sound familiar??? :> )

Bonn: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 1:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve (no offense) Now that you've calmed down, a little, I have to believe that you'd agree that the odds of you actually getting any licks in on the guy that would be worth 2 games were pretty slim, so you're probably better off. If I were Mr. Antagonist, I'd be inclined to pound Mr. Expectoration a few times for his juvenile, dignity-lacking behaviour.(Not that Mr. Antagonist has shown any more dignity with his little victory dance.

Vile: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 1:38PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmm,I would personally reserve fighting as a response to running or other contact in lieu (sp) of your teammates doing it for you. In your situation, two games seems like a lot to pay for a little fun pounding the antagonist. There are other avenues to express yourself with less severe consequences.

Vile: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 1:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
That is really the reason I like Beflour, not for his dominance in goal, but rather his aptitude for expressing himself.

Vile: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 1:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
(actually not trying to assert Beflour is dominant in goal, but he does get the job done)

gbfreeman: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 2:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn, spooky. The same thing happened to me last night. I was in my third game with about 4 minutes left (roller hockey) when their defenseman takes a heavy shot from the point. I had dropped to early and the shot was going stick side high. I moved my shoulder up to block the shot and my chest protector shifted. Took it in the skin on top of my shoulder. Felt like I got shot. To add insult to injury, the puck went in. Luckily we won 4-2. That is how my luck is going lately. Played in 15 games in the last 3 weeks with a GAA of 3.33 and am 2-10-3. Take out one 10-2 drubbing and in 14 games my GAA is 2.86. 5 games lost by 2 goals and 1 lost by one (38 seconds left). Okay, enough of my whining. Later

Carpe Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 4:12PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve, I can relate to the feelings. I think we have all been there before. However, there are 2 ways to look at that situation. The first one is probablly the most immediately satisfing. You could of broken off the blade of your stick and driven it through his chest and severly pounded on him and thus clear both benches, but you pay for it in the long run. The second way: like the commercial says "never let them see you sweat". I believe in keeping calm and not giving them the satisfaction of seeing me loose my cool. Once they see that they know you'll probablly be off your game. I prefer to talk to the D and have them pass it on to the bench that the individual needs to be dealt with and preferably the man doing will receive a case of his favorite beverage from said goal tender. Everyone has one guy on the team who can punish people on the body, let him go to work. Of course the less settle but probablly most effective is to approach the other team after the game and inquire as to where they got the jerk from and how embarrassing it must be to have an idiot like that on the team jumping around after each goal. Most people who jump around like that usually do so cause they had their lunch money taken from them as a child and now they are making up for it. Bottom line.....IT ISN'T WORTH IT. You're not getting paid to play hockey, you do it because you enjoy it. So go out there and enjoy it and take the wins with the losses.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 4:14PM PST (-0700 GMT)
You did the right thing Sieve, my hat is off to you.

Toast: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 6:44PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm...been a while since I have been here - a little busy in my neck of the woods of late. However, a Toast update for those interested. Summer hockey is going okay, one team ran away with first and should win the championship. The other team just is plain bad, so I get lots of work. It is fun in its own way. About the guy showboating after the ninth goal - fortunately I don't have that problem. If someone ever showed me up like that, I think I would have about 10 teammates express their dissatisfaction. I am lucky enough to play with a bunch of guys who take the concept of "team" very seriously.

Toast: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 6:45PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And now I have joined the double-posting club...arrrgh! I must admit, reading through the log that problem was somewhat distracting...

Toast: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 6:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And welcome to the new guys - although I think Belfour is over-rated. Then again, I am probably the only guy who thinks Toronto paid too much for Cujo. Not that I am a Felix fan, but their numbers are remarkably similar over the past three years, and I'd say Edmonton was the better club over that stretch.

Toast: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 6:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And welcome to the new guys - although I think Belfour is over-rated. Then again, I am probably the only guy who thinks Toronto paid too much for Cujo. Not that I am a Felix fan, but their numbers are remarkably similar over the past three years, and I'd say Edmonton was the better club over that stretch.

Toast: . . . . Fri, Aug 14, 6:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
And there is that double post again. This is bugging me, some I am out of here...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Sat, Aug 15, 10:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
gbfreeman - you ever play at La Mesa or Folsom?

gbfreeman: . . . . Sat, Aug 15, 6:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
RocketGoalie, I played one season at La Mesa for the Blackhawks in the Sunday adult league. Played deck long ago at Folsum's (for Zamboni's, Trojans, Titans snf JPJ/TNT, and was involved in the revolt where four teams quit on the same night to protest their practices in regards to the Deck Hockey league (at that time they cared more about soccer than hockey and it showed). I hear that they have improved their facilities and I have been asked to play there by different people but, their nights conflict with RHI's.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 7:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Kind of slow in here this weekend. Everyone must be out playing or enjoying the good weather

RocketGoalie: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 9:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Folsom has gotten alot better. I have some friends who've played roller there for a year or so and a few others who have played floor there for 7+ years. They put flight deck down and the surface is great once you get used to it...unless there's moisture (even dew!) and then you can't stand up...it's gonna be hell for them after this season's over. Joe Norris (former Penguin and Gull center) runs it now and he does a really good job with what he has. La Mesa changed owner ship finally and they new guy is a hockey goalie so it's improving too.

Grass: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 10:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
G35 -- Your memory is good... I did use a set of Vic gloves before I bought a pair of Scott's. I have be VERY happy with the new gloves. The catch broke in quickly and I am no longer being stung on every shot.

Grass: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 10:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn -- As fot the little dangly plastic throat protector, I got mine after Toast (?) wrote about his shot to the throat and being hoarse for a week. I am looking at mine now, it is about 9 months old, and am a bit amazed at how many black skid marks are decorating it... (I have always been known for leading with my head...)

Guardian: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 12:46AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi everyone...well it's done. I left the hockey mecca of Montreal and am now in Indianola, Iowa. No rinks here, and only 2 in Des Moines. I guess I shouldn't complain, some of you have it worse. Still, I'm going to resist the temptation (?) to play roller...shouldn't be too hard. No offence to you roller players out there, but it's just not the same thing IMNSHO. I'll catch up with you all soon I hope.

ScottBattram: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 5:09PM PST (-0700 GMT)
No kidding Guardian! I was channel surfing on my Direct TV today and saw some Pro Beach Roller Hockey! What a joke! Looks like glorified street hockey to me... those banked walls have to go! Now, with 2 dishes, a big c-band, and Direct-TV, I should be able to keep up with all the sports action! hehe.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 5:41PM PST (-0700 GMT)
If you ask me the whole idea behind that PBH is to smoke the goalies. it's like one break away after another. Or it could be to see how dehydrated a goalie can get in all that gear in the sun. that has really got to suck big time

Grass: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 5:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As someone who played ice (albeit a bunch of years ago), roller hockey was an easy (read: inexpensive) way to get back into the sport. Now, it has become too hard to switch back and forth, so Guardian, I guess I am supporting your decision...

Toast: . . . . Sun, Aug 16, 8:59PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Guardian...I hear and understand you. Kind of like Cdn. beer - the other stuff isn't the same...

Mntender: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 6:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Guardian, If the drive to Des Moines doesn't bother you, they have become a rather large Ice Hockey community. Not sure they would have the level you are looking for but they are expanding. My youngest son (11) has been playing with 3 kids from Des Moines all sommer.

Beatts: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 9:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
well, my first time on ice last night since april...5 minutes into it I break my stick that a just paid $60 for...Bummer..Otherwise everything felt pretty good, except running out of breath 10 mintues in...Jeez it's great to be back in the pads !!

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 9:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Beatts, how did you break it, a shot or self induced? I made splinters out of one myself yesterday, good thing it was a practice stick

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 9:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Beatts what kind of stick? My personal record is 20 mins to break a Vic.....

: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 11:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
....and I can't seem to break these Koho Rev's (even when I smack them over the crossbar!) Heh heh heh.....

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 11:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
whoops c'est moi...

wolfman: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 11:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I made it thru Puckstoppers. I dont feel bad today except for a few 90 mph bruises. It went well and I did learn alot.

wolfman: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 11:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well I made it thru Puckstoppers. I dont feel bad today except for a few 90 mph bruises. It went well and I did learn alot.

: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 11:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hey wolfman,it's econogoalie, got your e-mail .I was really worried when you did not get your money

smott: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 11:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Vile...

Beatts: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 11:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
It was a Sher-Wood XLT lite.. It's actually quite heavy...Anyways it happened from a fluke snap-shot from the blue line... I'm going to take it back though.....When I was younger i used to break a few sticks over the cross-bar, thankfully I matured....I still have a temper however. ;~)

Vile: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 12:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sorry to leave you hanging Smott, I am just lurking :)

: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 12:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott - do you use the same Vic that Source has on sale at button for 5 for $95 (actually $86 with the falling Cdn $)?

RocketGoalie: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 12:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...oops, that was me Smott...

snowman: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 3:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott-- package received

snowman: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 3:26PM PST (-0700 GMT)
It looks good. ZHavent used it yet. Hope to this week.

ScottBattram: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 5:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
My time to break a stick: 1 shot... back in JNR... just took to the ice for the 20 min warmup, prior to a game, got some new lumber from Gilbert (trainer) and first shot... SNAP! heheh of course, I didnt have to pay for the things back then... but I am sure it would have made a people mad whou just forked out 45.00 for it!

Guardian: . . . . Mon, Aug 17, 9:42PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, I know it Toast. Actually, the grocery store nearby does carry Labatt Blue. I took the last (only) two cases, and then went and found the manager. Gave him some pretty clear directions on just how much he'd have to get. Not that all American beer is bad...there's some pretty good premium brands, but their prices are a bit much. You're right, Mntender, Des Moines should be able to provide good hockey, and the level will be more than adequate for me. After all, I had to leave Canada because I wasn't good enough--we have to pass a yearly test, and I came up short...

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 5:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm all this talk about breaking sticks, whattya know I snapped a trusty Koho last night.

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 5:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Played a really good game, still lose 6-4. All 6 goals giveaways in our own end, rebounds or one-timer passes. Yuck. One D had borrowed skates with no edges, poor guy was falling all over himself....he would've done better on my clunky Bauers!

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 5:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Said Bauer's BTW (4000s) are finally breaking in really nicely. Seem to be able to turn and go lateral much easier in these skates, and for someone movement-impaired such as moi, that comes in handy.....

wolfman: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 7:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Morning smott.

wolfman: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 7:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Grass

Grass: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 7:26AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hiya wolf-dude... How is your game?

Grass: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 7:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
as for moi... I got called to fill in at an A level game last evening. I'd been out of town for a couple of weeks and so things looked just a tad FAST! I suppose that if you had lloked you would have seen the deer in the headlites look behind the mask, but I managed to hold on for the win. (My team was better than the bad guys.) But, ouch, I'm more than a little sore this morning. Got stung thru Scott's glove for the first time. (I got to keep reminding myself to use the nice webbing that he put between the thumb and fingers...)

Grass: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 7:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
oops, got to run...

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 7:31AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Morning all. yipes smott, the same day you declare your Kohos indestructable... thats odd. I've got an old prototype Cooper R3 that is said to be virtually unbreakable. Of course it is like dragging an oak tree around...

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 8:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well that Koho was about 3 mos old so I can't complain too much....it sure gave up the ghost though, snapped the blade right in half!...

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 8:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Also they are not too heavy....

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 8:23AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That Coop of mine is years old and the heel isnt even beat up.

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 9:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
WOw...guess I beat on sticks??....

smott: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 9:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...I always thought a couple months was good....

Sieve: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 11:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
smott, keep in mind, that Coop R3 is bionic. All of my other 3+ month old sticks look like they've been through a chipper.

Toast: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 12:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smottsie, I am the same as you - 3 or 4 months out of a stick and it dies. Just gets the crap beat of it and weakens through being wet & dry, wet & dry. Although I got lucky the other day, bought two Louisville sticks for $60 Cdn...not a bad deal at all. My CCs seem to have disappeared up here.

Bonn: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 2:57PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of sticks...I can't believe you guys get 3-4 months out of sticks!! If mine lasts a month and a half, I'm pretty happy! I've been using Lousiville TPS pretty much exclusively for the past year or so, playing twice a week usually. My biggest complaint with goal sticks is that they don't wrap the fibreglass around the front edge of the paddle, and this is where they always begin to chip. The cracks then propogate down to the blade and out goes another $50. I've taken to taping this edge to slow down the process, but I just figure for the 10 cents worth of fibreglass, the stick companies could do it. I find I usually replace sticks before they actually snap as they get soft, and I can't shoot nearly as well as when they are new.

ScottBattram: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 5:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm I think that they do this to get you to buy more sticks! With all of todays technology, I am sure someone could make a stick that lasts a long time, and wont chip or break! But no repeat business!! heheh Well Grass learned something.. no matter how good the equipment is, sometimes a hard shot will still sting a bit! Of course, good stuff will reduce this, but cant prevent it! We are now located at WWW.BATTRAM.COM (lower case of course)

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 6:07PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn - Source has a "weekly special" (it's actually been a weekly special for at least 3 months now so unless Canadian weeks are longer than U.S. weeks, it's a permanent price) of 5 Vic sticks for $95US...maybe less with the falling Cdn$. If anyone's used these sticks, let me know cuz I could use some extras and for less than $20 a stick...

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 6:11PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Nice choice for naming your site, Scott...inventive...heheh. By the way, thanks for sending the bolt and thingamagig...the pad's fine now. Got a few weeks off between seasons so I'm doing my (bi-annual) equipment cleaning job...

ScottBattram: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 6:35PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm Source is a bad word now with me... they did another cut-up of us to a customer (who also was a cousin of an employee of mine) and this time word got back to me... So I faxed off a nice letter, about how poor it was of them to operate in such a manner, in hopes to lure a customer away from me by cutting up our products only because they are 20 min down the road, and since I sell direct to the customer, they wont carry our line. This time, I actually got a call back from the OWNER, who was very apologetic about this... and he has seen our stuff and knows its good, and that he was embarrassed and pissed off about his sales staffs tactics in order to make sales... he went on about how they spent thousands on training the staff how to sell... and obviously this wasnt being followed...

ScottBattram: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 6:38PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Worst thing is.. he did this once.. I just wonder how many other people he has said this to and fooled... luckily I have a great base of customers who will back us if I need to restore someones confidence in us... and that goes a whole lot further than some salesperson in a store who is trying to make a sale... most people are smart enough to read through a situation like this!

J37: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 7:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey all! Miss me? I haven't been playing much nor got my blocker yet. G-D Ziggy won't answer the @#%$% phone. I'm about ready to give up. Hey Scott, you got any blockers for about $125 US? I'm going in for my second knee surgery this year. Torn meniscus, getting it removed. I'll be out like 4-6 weeks. I try to keep up with you guys soon. Hasta Leugo.

RocketGoalie: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 8:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott, remember that's kinda what happened with me? Did your employee's cousin know who he talked with at Source?

Guardian: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 8:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott--that's pretty crappy of S.F.S.L. I would fire off a nasty message to them, but that might make matters worse. No point starting a feud...as you say, they're just 20 minutes down the road, and things could get ugly. Yes, I'd say that your customers will support you...and anyway, I don't really think you're competitors. Apples and oranges. If I need something cheap, I'll go to S.F.S.L. (they _do_ have the lowest prices of the mailorder companies), but if I need something built to last, and to my size, I go custom. One thing though--you've got to make a jock. Seriously--these days everyone is putting so many bells and whistles into everything, but I've never found a jock I'm happy with.

Guardian: . . . . Tue, Aug 18, 8:31PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Why is this important? When I'm on my game (OK, it's happened all of three times...) I get sacked ALL THE TIME. Shots on the ice I get with the stick in the butterfly, and those shots that go higher hit me right in the...(there's ladies present). Sometimes I don't _want_ to be centered.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 3:04AM PST (-0700 GMT)
No big surprise there with SFSL. They tried to charge me the listed price for my ridge pants when I specifically called them up and asked for the price match they boast about.To make matters worse, they sent me a size large when I ordered a Medium. Lucky for me they still worked so I hung onto them fearing I'd never see a pair show up at my door any time soon. In the end I did get the best price but who wants the hassle. I think they are growing too quick and the quality of their service is starting to drop.

Mntender: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 6:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott, you bring up an interesting point. I no longer deal with ANY catolog company, and buy only minor things from our local stores. If I need helmets,pads , glove or blocker, I deal only with the rep from the company I want the item from. THe only time I deal with the store is sending them a check for the item AFTER I receive it. This way there are no mistakes on a custom order ( my kids order the weirdest stuff) and I know I'm dealing with someone who knows the product. I have been doing this in the bicycle industry for several years and now doing it with dreat success in goalie equipment.

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 7:56AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi folks....well I have had so far good success with SFSL...the R5 pants and armor were at excellent prices and good enough quality though the pants are wearing quite a bit now....they have otherwise been dependable for typical items such as sticks etc...but the constant hyping of McM stuff has tested my patience, and if they are actually talking down other equipment it soudns like they are stepping over the line....

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 7:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott I think you did well to let them know as much,in no uncertain terms!

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 7:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
J37 still Waiting For ZIggy eh?....I know the feeling....I guess he is just so swamped with orders now he doesn't know which end is up....but remember it took like 20 weeks for me to see that blocker!....

Bonn: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 9:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott: What is the difference between Clarino and Jenrino? Who manufactures the stuff? You list these, as well as a few other materials that you put into your equipment, on your site, however, the brand names go right over my head. I know that Jenrino and Clarino are synthetic leathers, but why use both? What is Plastazote foam, and Air Core technology? I'm looking into buying a new trapper (have been for some time now), but I really don't know what materials are better than others, and most importantly, why? Any info you could give me would be much appreciated.

Bonn: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 9:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey smott, since you're online, any info on the above message to Scott?

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 9:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm. Guardin, I wonder why you have such a penchance for getting pinged. BTW, great to see you back here again...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, winter season is fast approaching and it appears there well be far less hockey for me this year, maybe 2.5 teams if everything falls into place. Could this be the beginning of the end? I am playing twice a week right now, and my performance is starting to slide - and I am none to comfortable with it? How have others dealt with Mother Nature?

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hello? What up? I'm going to goalie camp

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:24AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I have ordered a Source catalog, but their online stuff is pretty sparse. The best online catalog prices I have found is at button Does anyone have any experience with them?

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
its called the Sports Exchange

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Which camp Wall?

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn sorry but I am not much up on the techno-stuff re equipment. Most especially when it comes to catchers I need the thing to fit my hand, and play well with my eye-paw coordination so I catch in the string instead of the palm. I don't much care what it's made of.....Best fit for my hand by far is the Koho ROy...I have had noluck with Vic, Vaughn, Cooper and Brian's, all excellent gloves but just didn't work right on my hand....

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Toast I always thought you said you wouldn't mind when your performance started slide a la Mother Nature....? Just maybe play at a lower level?...

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For me personally I do more now to stay in shape than when I was in my 20s...lift/bike/run several days a week....

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...but aren't you one of those "practice feels like work" guys?...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smottsie, I guess...but it is frustrating. The hockey I have been playing this summer wasn't that great of calibre (the one night) and often it wasn't a lot of fun. I am still a bit young for Mother Nature I hope), but this summer has not been the most fun i have ever had. Maybe it was a letdown after last spring...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yes, you are right, I am one of those practice feels like work but I guess I have to make a choice soon. Maybe I am just burnt again - perhaps take an entire summer off next year, but it is hard to imagine four months without hockey.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I think it may be the lingering effects of a poor game at a bad time. I have had some sour playoff games last winter and then last night - not very pleased with myself.

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:53AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well if your heart's not into practicing and staying in shape, that will only take away more of the fun for you. Of course if it's no fun to play worse as you age, you have a bit of a dillemma.....

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:54AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I thought you won like 3 of 4 Chps last winter...? If that is sour you have some veryhigh standards indeed...

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
howdy all...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:55AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm...I think part of the problem may be that I have played very little pickup this summer. In the past I would play for a couple hours every Sat. morning - I have gotten away from that. maybe it is a case of to many games and and not enough freestyle stuff.

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Grass

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I was thinking of the one league where I dug a 4-0 hole in the first on the way to a 6-1 loss...cost us a very good shot at a free trip to Montreal. As for the championshps, yes there were three, but one was with a dominant team - I had more of a role in the other two. Perhaps I am too hard on myself at times...

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I guess it is the defintion of fun that one uses... For me, it is playing with a group of folks that I enjoy being with. (Sure winning is nice, but not everything.) Perhaps it is because I have never been all that good, so I don't notice the less good as much...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 10:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But you are right, am focusing too much on the negative - somehow I lost some sight of the positive aspects.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:00AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm Grass - good point.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I think I needed that wake up call - seems like I lost my focus there a bit - it should not be all performance, although it does have somewhat to do with the enjoyment level.

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Seems to me that a guy that wins as much as you do while practicing once/week and doing (I'm guessing) zero work outside the rink to prepare isn't so badly off at all....you are naturally used to being very successful at a pretty low cost.

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
You're just not used to dealing with a performance slip is all....

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
My sister and nephew came out to watch my playoff game last night, not my most stellar performance ever in a 6-4 loss. I was angry with myself, we could of pulled the big upset if I was sharp - I relish opportunities like that and I let one slip away...

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
My advice: it's time to change the brand of the after game beer...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Success is a team thing, I am lucky to play for some strong teams...as for off ice - I think a bit. But then again, I also try to take care of myself - preventive maintenance if you will...does that count?

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Grass, that is an idea - out goes the Ex...tonight I will have Blue.

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
here here Grass

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
But enough about me, how are y'all doing?

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Maybe Guiness for a real jolt

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah Vile - am Canadian. Beer is just fine here...

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Not when you are my age! Preventive maintenance for us 40-somethings is continuous workouts to maintian what little we got left...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
YOW! I am in trouble - I didn't start with much!! :)

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Canadians don't drink Guiness?

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Life is good here... just trying to get back in the saddle after a two week layoff. Nursing a beauty of a know on the knee from a wayward puck that found my thigh guard a bit thin just above the kneecap...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Maybe a bit, but not often...it isn't that common around here.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Maybe a bit, but not often...it isn't that common around here.

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:10AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That is "knot" (as in bruised bump) vice "know"

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:11AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OUCH! I read about folks getting pinged there on this chat fairly often, it is a malady I don't seem to suffer from too much. How did you get hit?

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Shot from the point, looking like it might make it thru a bunch of legs, so I decide to cover low ice (read: on my knees, praying!) The shot is stopped and ends up in the high slot. I don't have the time to get up, so I knee walk to cover and get there just in time to stop the zinger as it zooms over the stick blade and connects with the knee bone...

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:16AM PST (-0700 GMT)
On the good news side: I stopped the shot (reflexively grabbing the knee and puck) bad news: could barely feel the leg for the rest of the game (1/2 of third period)

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
OW! That would be stinger...

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:22AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I tend to get hit there frequently (about once very two/three months) which is more than too often for me. If I were quicker at getting back on my skates, life might be better...

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:25AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ouch Grass you need to look into those trusty Cooper kneeguards...sorry still have to get the number....

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Grass, do you go down on your knees in the prayer position?

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I get smacked there extremely often pretty much game to game, but mostly because my pads are too short....the thigh guards are not much help, wouldn't dare play without the Coops...

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
What I mean is with your feet straight back, this causes the top of your pad to fall forward, thus exposing the knees. Hence - POW!

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:29AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh smottsie - I might know someone selling Louisville TPS pads...not 100% sure, only one season on them but I think he is giving up goaltending to stay a forward. Had enough of pucks...

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Toast, what's up?

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:32AM PST (-0700 GMT)
where's smott?

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I'm at goalie camp this week and it's cool

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hey Wall - playoffs have just started for me. That means winter season is just over a month away. And you?

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:33AM PST (-0700 GMT)
My season starts in November

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
She has been in and out...if and when she shows up, I'll leave you two ladies to do your thing. Has camp been useful?

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hey smott,how are you?

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
camp has been good, I get a lot of work and one on one instruction

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:34AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Ah - there she is...I'll give you two some space...back later.

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Toast I think you're exposed there either way it's just a question of the tops versus the sides of your knees that get pinged is all. Grass' pads are probably a wee bit short.

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ok bye :-)

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi smott? sorry I haven't emailed in a while but I've been busy as hell

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Toast what size on the Lousivilles?

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I saw Dartmouth and it was cool

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
What's up Wall? Glad you're having a good summer! Yes I am hopping in & out real busy right now....

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep I've been to Dartmouth COLD up there!

The Wall: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
ok i'll email you later

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oops - forgive me while I answer smottsie's questions...he is a shade shorter than me, so at least 33, probably 34. Black and white...as for the knees, I guess when I go down on low shots I basically put my butt on the ice so my knees don't get exposed, shots just above the pads get the pants usually.

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmm you are unusally flexible....

smott: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:41AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Get a price from your pal.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:47AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Will do. I'll email details...

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
T - Yes to the prayer position... Particularly in this instance, since I was scrambling... On shot to the side I'm pretty good at getting the pad to face out, but in shots right at me low, I tend to have the pad under the legs (I know, lotta good they do me there...)

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 11:57AM PST (-0700 GMT)
As for getting my butt on the ice... it happens all the time, but not in any controlled manner like you are describing...

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 12:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm, question regarding size... 33" 34" on goal pads refers to the length of what? I thought it was length of you shin more or less.

Grass: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 1:17PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Vile -- Unless things have changed since I last bought pads, 33" is the sum of the length from the toe to the ankle, ankle to knee & knee to thigh... said another way, measure the pad from top to bottom (following the bends)...

J.T.: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 1:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Anyone have any advice for someone who hasn't played in almost 12 years?

J.T.: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 1:30PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oops, sorry about the double post. Or is that triple.

Toast: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 1:37PM PST (-0700 GMT)
As someone who took 6 years off in the late teens, early 20s - it is simple. Play, and play often. For me - goaltending has been far more fun and rewarding as an adult.

Vile: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 2:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm, that was pretty much what I thought... How tall are you, Smott?

ScottBattram: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 5:15PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Bonn - Jenrino is a synthetic leather manufactured in Korea, they have brought out a new material that looks awesome called JENPRO, made in JAPAN, it tests better than Clarinos SOFRINA. Clarino is made in Japan, it covers a wide range of materials, SOFRINA, NASH, MATRIX etc...etc... We use the NASH, this is like a suede leather, on the underside of pads, and also in the stays (finger loops) on the catcher. We use BS-2100 another CLARINO product for catcher and blocker palms. Plastazote foam, is the best closed cell foam available to this industry, it will not break down with time, as will a cheaper foam called SXL or Velari, this is an OPEN cell foam, meaning that the foam cells are open, whereas a closed cell foam is a small incapsulated air cell in the foam, that has a casing around it, in simple terms.. we could get into some complicated chemistry here.. and I am not a chemist! So I wont go any further than the above explantion (SXL will flaten out with time... I was suprised to find SXL in Wolfmans Vaughn Upper Body pad!) AirCore technology... well thats a secret!

ScottBattram: . . . . Wed, Aug 19, 5:20PM PST (-0700 GMT)
JENRINO and CLARINO both make excellent products, we use JENRINO because its easilly available to us without a wait, unlike CLARINO. I have seen some weird materials used on pads... but with JENRINO or CLARINO, its a sure bet that you are getting a good product.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:39AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Morning all. So Scott, you say Jenrino and Clarino are of interchangable quality?

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:42AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thanks to Chris' bulletin board and CdP, I am now a mask wearer. hmm, I should say I'm a bucket wearer that has a new mask to try out tonite... : >) So, you say I'll get used to the way it feels/fits, huh?

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 7:05AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve what kind of mask did you get? If it's not too heavy (like maybe an Itech) you should get used to it real quick....I am in a ProMasque now and it's very comfy....also bulletproof...

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 7:35AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I watched about 30 minutes of PBH on ESPN2 last night. I am not sure if the point of the broadcast was hockey or fake boobs. There was nearly an even split between coverage of the two.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 7:44AM PST (-0700 GMT)
The lack of offsides and icing open it all up. It is a lot like arena soccer. There is basically a total lack of defense in the game I saw. The goaltending was what you'd expect when it's goalie vs. the world.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 7:45AM PST (-0700 GMT)
A little bizare having a two point line.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 7:58AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hi smott, I bought CdP's extra mask. Eddy GT. Far as I can tell it fits, just not as comfy as the ol' bucket. Everyone I've asked says its just a matter of getting used to having a big piece of fiberglass/kevlar strapped to your face.

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 8:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Speaking of the new face protection, does anyone know if there are any different chin cups out there that might be more comfortable than the one in there?

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 8:50AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I only know the Itech and P-M chin pieces they are both very comfy....

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 8:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Also an unrelated note...Chatsters is it normal to wake up in the middle of the night after you've just bought a house??? :-D

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 8:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep, usually with the thought... "30 years" echoing in the background. Then you remember how happy you were before,.

Bonn: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 9:20AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott: With regards to your unrelated note: I just bought one myself and yes, waking up in the middle of the night is not uncommon, not to mention hearing every squeak that the house makes (mine is 123 years old, so there's lots of them). For the first while I couldn't stop myself thinking that something was going to go terribly wrong; either the ceiling would fall in, the plumbing would fail, etc. etc. After a month or so, these concerns started to fade, and now I just constantly think about which of the 400 "fix-ups" I'm going to do next. Ahhh, the Canadian dream, get married, buy a house, etc. etc.

Bonn: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 9:30AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott: Understanding, and respecting that AirCore is proprietary technology, what does it do for your equipment? Does it give you an advantage over your competition? Is it similar to the "Air Pac" technology used by Brian's (which I know nothing about either). To me, there's no use proclaiming that there's "Air Core" technology in the equipment when you don't explain what that is, or what it does so that I can make a judgement whether or not it actually does improve the equipment. Sorry if this sounds harsh at all, I'm certainly not trying to be overly critical, I'm just trying to filter through all the marketing B.S. put out by some of the larger companies so that I can make a good decision on new equipment. Also, to be able to compare the features of different equipment, I need to understand what those features are. By the way, so this doesn't sound too negative, your equipment looks great, and I'll probably contact you sometime to try some on.

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:13AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Grass...I had a Brians airpac blocker and it was excellent, light and bombproof....

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:14AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heh heh actually the house is 42 yrs old and I'm fortunate that the inspection was fine and I can move right in....yet I'm wide awake at night!

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:15AM PST (-0700 GMT)
...and when I see the amt of interest I'll be paying over 30 yrs I get all fired up and I think I'm going to try to go for 15....

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:27AM PST (-0700 GMT)
It is quite a shock to see the total cost through the life of the loan. But there are other things you can do too... like your payment (whatever it is) is usually only has $50 going to principle. You can overpay each month and prepay the principle which increases your equity and effectively shorten the term of the loan/decrease your interest.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Most people will just double the principle for an extra $50 a month

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:40AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yep so I hear....and the 30-yr sure was scary, like 3X the cost of the house total.....

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:48AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Yeah, you get in mind the agreed price... then you see the bottom line. By and large the most in-debt anyone usually is.

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:49AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Puts wussy credit cards in perspective... altho the rates on cards are terrible.

Grass: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 11:03AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Well, I'm in the opposite boat. I have a loan on my house that is on the wrong side of the power curve. I only owe $87k so most of my payment is going against principal. Needless to say, Mr. Tax-man LOVES me!

Grass: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 11:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
To put some tax money back in my pocket, I just refinanced to take dollars out of the house and throw it into the market. Even in today's market, the return is better there than real estate...

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 11:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Eeeek you ONLY owe 87??? Geez you Beltway-types.....of course since I may be moving that way myself eventually I have to keep in mind property values around here should I wind up selling.....

Grass: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 11:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
For those of you interested, the US bombed terrorist-related facilities in Afghanistan and Sudan today. The Pentagon should be announcing it in the next few minutes...

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 11:36AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Gee and I thought Bill would have to fool around with another intern to get any more popular! :-D

Vile: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 11:59AM PST (-0700 GMT)
hmm, Wag the Dog?

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 12:06AM PST (-0700 GMT)
heh, thats exactly what I was thinking...

Sieve: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 12:08AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Enough about terrorism, back to the Home Owner's Domain... :>) (just kidding you two)

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 12:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Not an owner yet, the mortgager could come to their senses about loaning me all this cash and deny my app! Heh heh....

J.T.: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 12:37AM PST (-0700 GMT)
I guess this explains all the activity across the street at the White House at least. How *anyone* can afford to buy in this city is beyond me...

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 1:00PM PST (-0700 GMT)
But me & my cat have a fairly decent credit history!...

Grass: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 1:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
...right up until that sudden love affair with the new Volvo...

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 1:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Oh you HAD to mention that!!! Hee hee....but you are right, after that car, my little apt suddenly seemed small and icky! Especially since like the trunk of the Volvo is both larger and better-carpeted... :-D

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 1:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
But WAIT! Why not just live in my car???

C5: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 1:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I am between seasons and working like a dog... no time for chat or play! Chat looks greeat, kids. Watch those knees, Grass. Out.

J.T.: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 1:40PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hmmm, I suppose you could live in your car. I keep saying I should move and save money, but it just doesn't seem worth it for less than a year. (I'm planning the big cross-continent move from DC-BC next year!) Geez, you guys have me all excited about starting to play again after 12 years...

Grass: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 1:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
JT -- Where in DC are you? I'm just to the west in scenic McLean...

J.T.: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 2:47PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Live in Arlington Grass....work downtown, just across from Slick Willie's Palace of Ties and Lies. LOL

: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Seive, yes - both the Jenrino product and the Clarino product are good materials, infact this new JENPRO looks way better than any of the new offerings from Clarino. The biggest problem with the JENRINO was finding a transfer that will adhear to it so logos can be heat transfered to the material. We did find this transfer, and although we now pay about 8.00 per sheet US, as opposed to 1.00 Canadian, the material does work and stay on.. we had to experiment with the method of application to get it to stick for good (we did a set for our local SNR A team here, and they were used about 5 times per week, and the transfers looked the same at the end of the season as they did when first applied.)

ScottBattram: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:05PM PST (-0700 GMT)
That was mine! eheh

ScottBattram: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:10PM PST (-0700 GMT)
BONN, well AIR-CORE Technology is very simple, and similar to Brians Air-Pac system, while, I wont tell what AIR-PAC is, because I wouldnt want Brians to tell what AIRCORE is... I will however say this... its just what it sounds like! Its in the pads, gloves and upper body pads... and the tool that is used to achieve this, is something any woodworking shop will have, and its not a grape press. The benefit to this for the pads is: Reduces Weight, and Increases flexibility. Gloves - Weight Reduction. Upper Body Pad - Weight Reduction and cushioning properties. I am glad you like our products though Bonn!

ScottBattram: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:16PM PST (-0700 GMT)
While we wont make any advertising ploys like "BULLETPROOF" we will use some as you say marketing BS the odd time, as all companies will do it... in this industry there is nothing complex! its all simple things... but, the one that takes the cake is CAPSUL-AIR as used by DR, May as well tell what this was, as they are out of business now... so it wont harm anyone.. we took apart a catcher just to see what this was, and when we got the glove open, we almost fell over laughing... CAPSULAIR was nothing more than a BLUE - SOLAR BLANKET type material for a swimming pool cover.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:43PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Has anyone used Brian's or Vaughn's goal sticks? I want to get some feed back on them before I have a pattern made with Heaton. I'm hoping the area reps for the 2 companies will have some with them to try out at the up coming preseason camp but the trainer wasn't sure if they were scheduled to come down or not and I still have some time to try out the 2 brands. Let me know what you think about them. Thanks

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:52PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott, you said it's something in every woodshop. HMMMM.....lets see here.....is it an air hose and compressor? Kind of like a air bladder full of air that you place inside the pad or a giant WHOOPEE cushion that releases air when hit by a puck? HHAAHA just joshing with ya Scott. Swimming pool blanket eh? Does that mean it floated too? :-)

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:55PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Sieve, so how went the first game with the new mask? You get used to it after a period or two?

Carpe de puck: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 5:58PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott, saw the new web address above. Is it to the same page or have you redone the site as well as the URL?

ScottBattram: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 6:03PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Heheh.. nope, its not an air-compressor! haah, and it sure isnt a grape press for making wine! Yes, it was a like a solar blanket! Didnt try the water test though! Same pages... just have our own domain now.. this way when people ask "whats your web address?" it will make things much more simple to say www.battram.com

Carpe de puck: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 6:11PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott, I talked to the trainer today and I've been invited to the up coming camp so I will DEFINATLY need all my gear ASAP before it starts. Besides, I can't wait to get my paws on that AWESOME looking set of pads and gloves.:-)

Carpe de puck: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 6:13PM PST (-0700 GMT)
You need to put those photos of the new pattern up on the web site, they are just too cool

smott: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 9:53PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi guys just back from a 6-2 win where I somehow got in the way of most everything. Very sharp, go figure. Actually I've been so distracted by buying a house I actually think it helped me play, just went out there not worried about giving up goals (now worried about paying the mortgage!!!) Anyway for those of you in a slump I recommend buying a house to snap out of it!

zen: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 10:25PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Greetings all! I see much has changed in chatland here. for the better I may add. A broad conspiracy consisting of failed appliances, flood, a prolonged re-siding project, kids, work, and some great weather have both kept me off-line and shaken the doldrums from my psyche since my last visit.Did somebody mention neck protection? I have been using the "clear" plexiglass wrap that came with a Jofa helmut/cage arrangement I acquired. I could never get used to the thing, could never adjust to the field of vision it produced. Well, I canned the thing in favor of a neck pad made by Franklin (not an impressive name, but I liked it the best after comparing.) and a "tongue" of a plastic projection made by Itech which attaches to the bottom of the cage. I was extremely pleased with the result in terms of comfort and increased field of vision. The last ultimate test awaits. Other good news: I have lined up some good winter hockey on the coat-tails of my summer gig. Summer is slipping away, New England felt the first breath of cool canadien air recently with night temps in the 40's!(F) Felt great, Thanks! Chris, If you are still looking for some support for the sight, My offer is still open. Too late for "Charter Member" status, Please let me know How to reach you regarding this matter. Great work by the way. Smot,my spin on the mortgage thing. Provided there is no early repayment penalty, go for the 30 year loan. You can always pay more, like one extra payment divided by twelve. That will kill it in 20 some odd years. But, you can always pay the minimum when/if things get tight. Hey ,it is late, I need to get back to work. As the neutrons turn......

gbfreeman: . . . . Thu, Aug 20, 11:29PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Smott, You may be right about the house thing. In the process of looking at condos and worrying about all kinds of other things. Went out tonight and had my first 3 win night (in 3 games) ever. First game 2-0, second 3-0 (for my 3-0-1 team) and will wonders never cease, a 4-3 win with my can't skate, can't shoot, can't pass lower division team (previously 0-3-0) against an upper division 3-0-0 team. Yeah, I know it's not ice, It's roller, but had a great time. Letting in a goal just has no importance when you are worrying about a 30 year mortgage. I also got asked to play for an upper division team as their regular goalie tonight. Yeah!

Grass: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 5:28AM PST (-0700 GMT)
JT -- Drop me a line at GrasJam@hotmail.com with your phone numbers...

Bonn: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 8:51AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott: I've figured it out! Something found in any woodworking shop eh...it's obviously sawdust! You're taking advantage of the air trapped within every sawdust molecule...it's so simple...elegant almost. Seriously though, I'm pretty much stumped on the woodworking shop clue...will continue to investigate however. Maybe I'll have to buy one of your gloves and disect it to uncover the truth. Would looking at Nike (I shudder at the mere mention of that name) running shoes give me any clues? Later.

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 9:09AM PST (-0700 GMT)
That has to be it!! Sawdust sounds like a good one. How about a drill? Drill small holes through the foam in a uniform pattern to allow the air to be vented and reduce rebound. I think I've hit pay dirt HAHAH

the big mao (THBGMAO): . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 1:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hello, fellow targets; Since we finally have a real ice rink in my area, and I finally can pretend I know what I'm doing, thought I'd just say we had an interesting game last night-I'm coaching a first-time, never-skated-before adult team. We faced a "B" league team last night, and by the 3rd period, the scorekeeper was reading a book! I got to ex- periment with lots of 3 & 4-on ones, lots of screens, and all sorts of other innovative ways for a vastly better team to jam the crease-it was a good workout, though. Does any- one have a recommendation for a book on stretching, and has anyone ever gone to those Jon Elkins schools in Toronto? I'd like to know what y'all think.

Tripp: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 4:11PM PST (-0700 GMT)
I want to get my new Itech mask painted. Can anyone recommend a good mask painter? I've seen Painted Warrior Designs and Miska... is there anyone else I should look into?

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 4:28PM PST (-0700 GMT)
tripp check out this button and try this button

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 4:32PM PST (-0700 GMT)
there is also a site called wicked air that does masks but I can't find the URL

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 4:46PM PST (-0700 GMT)
there is also a site called wicked air that does masks but I can't find the URL

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 4:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
DAMN!! got the double whammy. For those interested Masked Expressions chromes cages for $50.00 with 1 to 2 week turn around

ScottBattram: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 7:21PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Carpe... dont go selling my idea to Vaughn now!! hmmmm or did I tell you on the phone or over an email? hahah Actually the holes are not that small... I think its a 1/2" bit Darrin has set up in the drill press! Its not a bad method... but the real weight reduction comes when you do it to the plastic in the blocker board... as the plastic is only there to stiffen the board and reduce the rebound... so like you said drilling a uniform pattern in the plastic, we can drop the weight in half of the plastic, at the same time the ability yo deaden the shot is still intact! Hmmm I should have had a prize for ya!! hahah Maybe I will throw in a hat with the order

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Fri, Aug 21, 9:02PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Scott, no you didn't tell me about it before. I kind of do the same thing at work, at least the principle is the same some what. Plus I used to wear foam rubber pads that my dad made for me as a kid for street hockey and you get a hellacious rebound off of that dense foam. So dad and i sat down and came up with a way to disapate some of that energy and reduce rebounds. TA- DA there you have it :-)

gbfreeman: . . . . Sat, Aug 22, 1:02AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Trip and Carpe, the url for Wicked Air is button

Carpe de Puck: . . . . Sat, Aug 22, 8:17AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Man! I could of been a pad builder and didn't even know it. Does this mean I'm a potential employee now Scott? HAHA Besides sweeping up I could punch holes too HAHAH

Tom: . . . . Sat, Aug 22, 8:38AM PST (-0700 GMT)
No one here

Tripp: . . . . Sat, Aug 22, 11:01AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Thanks for the info on the mask painting. They all look like they do some good work.

snowman: . . . . Sat, Aug 22, 11:07AM PST (-0700 GMT)
Has anyone ever had to outfit a team with new team jerseys? Any suggestions on where to try? Looking for good jerseys at a decent price

Goalie Nicknames: . . . . Sat, Aug 22, 7:48PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Hi Goalies! Check out the goalie nicknames sites...lotsa fun! button

Tripp: . . . . Sat, Aug 22, 9:22PM PST (-0700 GMT)
Cool, man. I made the big list, and I didn't even know it!