Chadd

The sides of the skate are extremely stiff and offer a lot of support. Just because you can squeeze them without your foot in them, doesn't mean they aren't stiff. The design is to allow forward movement and that is what allows you to squeeze the ankle. It really sounds like you were not fitted correctly as they should be molded completely to your foot. When a boot is molded to your foot with zero negative space, there is no movement and there is no "loose" feeling, no matter how tight the laces are.

Been back to work a month and a sudden switch from finishing at midnight to starting at 4AM this week. Not much sleep most nights and now I'm sick as a dog. As my doctor has told me repeatedly, this job is killing me.

You're so "Not quite proud of it" that you had to post it on the internet in the "sweet spot" topic? Sorry, I'm calling bullshit on that. You were bragging about drilling someone in a pickup game, again.

Felt "normal" skating tonight for the first time since last December. My hands aren't there and my legs aren't there and my lungs certainly aren't there, but for the first time in a long time, my head is there. Played well positionally, had an assist and a couple great passes. The only goal against me was off the faceoff and it wasn't my man. Can't wait to get back in shape and be a productive teammate again.

Robin Williams and George Carlin were two of the greats in comedy. I feel fortunate to have seen them both in their prime but I can't help but feel a little guilt for enjoying the humor that was driven by Williams' depression.

Indeed

Lace outside to in on those top eyelets and you don't need to have the boot fold over.

I only sharpen for friends now, volume is way down compared to what I used to do. I can see how it would be problematic for a regular operation.

HECC and CSA testing is ineffective and borders on being counterproductive. It focuses on impact dispersion, great if you have people skating all-out into the boards and are concerned with skull fractures but largely irrelevant when it comes to concussions. Obviously some of that impact dispersion is required but the focus should be more about cushioning the head and slowing the deceleration that comes with the impact. That is where the VA Tech testing has the potential to help reduce concussions.

Orange is a little softer than Ruby, don't recall using the pink. Ruby was always the standard in the shops that I worked, but I find that for doing a low volume of skates, I prefer the orange. I feel like I am able to get a nicer finish on the steel than with the Ruby.

We've lost a few guys from our team over the last couple years because of things like that. Honestly, I'm not far from putting it in my rearview mirror as well. I like the game, but way too many people that play this sport are the kind of people that give the sport a bad name.

I know a couple people that bought stuff from GFS and they've long since replaced the parts they got from there. It's factory direct, so you save a couple bucks, but it is still low quality stuff.

Wait, they're bad because the tests they do now don't work for hockey, but creating a new testing regime is also a bad idea?n The governing bodies have shown little enthusiasm for making the more radical changes needed to address the root cause of concussions, at least VA Tech is looking to push the envelope. Criticism of a "competitor" isn't flattering but is does explain your position. Having another party put money and research into the issue is almost always a good thing. In this case, they are looking at the problem from a different angle and I think that is a good thing. The current standards have resulted in helmets that are a step backwards in concussion prevention in a number of ways.

That's why I live the external systems like Easton and CCM have used.

Not scientific at all, for so many reasons. It's my understanding that MN is often one of the last places to migrate to new tech in hockey, I've been told that by several different manufacturers. Yes, there is a noticeable difference if you understand the concept. Even a lot of people that don't understand feel the difference and can't explain it. I will be merging this topic into the existing FBV topic, no need for a different topic on this.

I had 25 or so flights in the last week, the obnoxious ones are on every single flight.

The only bad thing is to dismiss it out of hand, as you are doing. That is the real BS. Are there questionable aspects of the new testing regimen? Absolutely. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to move forward.

I disagree, I think the cushioning aspect is much more applicable than the current impact dispersion testing.

I love my E700 as well, but I don't think any EPP based helmet will fare well in their testing. It's too bad that Easton never got to market with a retail version of the prototype they showed us a couple years ago.

A lot of current generation helmets will be on clearance soon. I would bet that a significant number fare very poorly in the VA Tech testing.

Exactly, everyone who pays that up front is going to make sure they get their money out of it and will be in regularly. While waiting for the sharpening, they will browse and buy. If you can drive enough additional sales, it's a great tool to get people in the store. In the market I was in, it would put a small shop out of business. Again, it would be nice to get back to the topic of Mako Skates.

Most stores in the US that I know, do not bake for free. Total Hockey does, but they have a different business model than most shops. They also offer free sharpening, something most shops rely on to drive revenue. Sharpening was well over a third of the revenue for my shop. had we given it away for free, we would have been out of business. They obviously believe that giving away those things will bring in people to spend more money while they are getting a bake or skates sharpened. It's not a business model that would work for everyone. Can we please get back on topic now? All of these off topic rants are getting old.

It took all of two flights to bring back my disdain for the traveling public. Checked off almost all the selfish and obnoxious behavior that I abhor.

When I was in high school, they gave the father of a close friend "no more than six months" to live. He died 15 years later. Stay positive and be strong for her, as well as yourself. The world is a place full of bad things that "could" happen to any of us at any time and worrying about them will just prevent you from enjoying the good things you could be experiencing. And even if the worst possible case scenario happens, then in the words of a singer I enjoy; "I'd rather die while I'm living than live when I'm dead". Great advice. Being positive is a goal that you shoot for, but any normal human is going to get down from time to time. The key is getting back up.

Exactly correct, the heel will generally open up if you need it and allow your foot to slide back. It's extremely important to see if there is room behind the heel. a #2 pencil or cheap Bic pen is a great indicator.