Chadd

707s were the softest skates that Graf made, the Mako is as close as you are going to get to that feel. If you are getting cold feet in your Makos, there's a good chance that they are tied too tightly. I like to lace outside to inside, so that they hold better, no matter how tightly they are laced.

I've been working on cleaning up and organizing all of my junk over the last couple weeks and today I found the cover and screws for my X-02 sharpener. That cover hasn't been on in years and looks brand new. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm due for some new spinners and wheels.

I tried on some pro stocks over the summer, they seemed to fit a little smaller than the retail gloves. Pro stock has different gusset and I think the palm may be a little different as well. I've been using my retail Stallions for over a year, great glove.

Dealing with ear problems the last couple days. Normally not a major problem, but when you spend half your life flying, not so much fun.

last week we played against a goalie that would chop anyone that got within ten feet of him. After a whistle with 3 or 4 seconds left on the clock, he started chopping at a guy that just happened to be skating in the general direction of the crease. I made my way down from the blue line and suggested that he grow up a bit. My suggestion was not well received.

Had to make some major lifestyle changes and I'm starting to feel better. Still not quite back to where I want to be but it's still an improvement.

Decided to get healthier, so I cut back on soda and chocolate almost entirely over the last year. In that time my blood sugar tripled. My cholesterol also went through the roof in the last year as well, even though I eat a ton of fruit and veggies now. Maybe I should go back to eating fast food again.

Really happy that my new guitar got here before my wife got home. Now I need to sell one or two before she figures out that it's here.

They are testing, comparing and making the results available to the public. It's far better and more transparent than what we have seen from HECC and CSA. Price is a huge issue, as are the optics of the helmet. I know Easton was concerned about them both with the helmet they were working on based on the Reidell football helmet. Saying that no helmet with reduce rotational impact is a lie. As mentioned, VN scores better than EPP on rotational impact tests. However, I realize that doesn't mean that it will prevent a concussion, but it does reduce the rotational impact relative to the harder foam. HECC, CSA, USAH and Hockey Canada all have business relationships that come into play with this discussion and money always seems to trump safety when that is the case. There has been very little, if any, advancement in the safety of hockey helmets in the last two or three decades. I don't see how changing the environment could be any worse than the status quo.

Well, we know that VN works better than EPP for rotational impacts but most manufacturers use EPP in their high end helmets anyway. Hockey helmet design has changed very little in the last couple decades, it's about time that things finally start moving forward. We also know that you have an axe to grind with VA Tech, due to your relationship with CSA.

I played with a guy that did that one night. Tipped three past our goalie in one game.

I had one bad wheel and it was dangerously off balance. The funny thing was that it was at Winterfest and someone from Blackstone was there to see it first hand.

Given the response from manufacturers, I can't see them sending helmets to VA Tech. Unless, of course, they think they can get 5 stars.

Score three goals and not a single hat on the ice, bunch of savages in this town

I let mine slide for a while without sharpening them and they were a mess tonight. I had to stop sharpening and let them cool for a while before I could finish. The rough spots were that bad. It's no knock on the skate, I can't remember the last time I sharpened them and they were pretty nasty on the ice the last couple times out.

wow, were my skates in bad shape. I should have taken before and after pics, it was that extreme. I actually had to stop and let the steel cool so I didn't ruin them.

I had no issues out of the box. The steel is harder than a lot of other skates and take more passes to put on an equivalent edge. They could very well need a second sharpening.

People who speak three languages are called trilingual People who speak two languages are called bilingual People who speak one language are called American

No doubt, I'm sure I do/did

There are a lot of nights when it isn't fun, that's part of the reason I haven't been playing as much.

Despite floundering around on the ice, I still managed to put up three assists and an even bigger + for the night.. I really need to get on the ice more.

Not playing as much as I used to has severely degraded my skills. I looked like an idiot on the ice tonight.

I forgot to ask the STX guys about that when I saw them today at the warehouse sale. I'm a big fan of the surgeon shoulders, very lightweight and mobile but still has plenty of protection.

Picked up a bunch of sticks at the STX warehouse sale, outstanding prices on the older models.

Either I really screwed up somewhere along the way and built up a ton of negative karma points or I am going to be on easy street at some point.