Chadd

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.

Over the years I've seen some shops whose final product looks a lot like that.

The difference is negligible, unless you're comparing youth skates to a size 14 boot. If it helps, think of it as +1, +2 and not in actual trigonometric degrees. This isn't structural engineering, it's a rough estimation and has been the industry standard for decades.

About 2.5mm if my calculations are correct. +1 = 1/32 +3 = 3/32 3/32 = ..094" .094 " = 2.4mm

No, it is a static measurement at the skate, not at the top of your head.

I believe that example is correct

It is to some people, usually the ones that think a scout is going to pluck them out of a beer league at 40.

Everyone should be able to play with everyone else in the event of a scrambled change, but the more you get to play with the same people, the more you know what they are going to do in a given situation. Knowing those tendencies, as well as your own predispositions, helps out a lot on the ice.

We have an older team that isn't the best conditioned and that works great for us.

Two goals against and I'm heading for the bench before anything else goes wrong.

Thanks, I appreciate the thoughts. Skated with my guys tonight in a pickup session and had headaches after the first shift and nausea after the second. It looks like I am still a long way off.

it's not like the Bauer products the pros are wearing are bad, they do make great products. Outside of that, I agree with you, it's all marketing.

Mine dry really fast. I played in a tournament with a couple hours between games and they were fine.

It sure looks like a bad wheel to me.

The last six months has been one kick in the teeth after another.

It cal also allow the moisture to rot the sole. Most shops I have seen use glue or epoxy to fill old holes.

More bite when you dig in and better glide in a straight line

Completely different technique with speed skaters as well. The difference in going up a size on hockey steel is almost entirely psychological. Most skaters would achieve the same results with improved technique but a lot of people want shortcuts.

The width of the flat at the bottom of the V is a significant factor in the performance. Yes, the edges are taller with the x/75 hollows, but you still get more glide due to the geometry of the overall shape.