halfmoonyote

Just got some gloves and sticks from the Coyotes, and I'm particularly fond of this... Warrior Dolo Spyne Kyle Turris pro stock. He had it all gummed up with stick um, and I cleaned it up.

Yeah, the stick itself is one of Randy Jones sticks, but 59 yesterday was Garrett Klotz. Perhaps he's using some of Jones's quiver.

Mission Pure L7 Skate Other Skates Used: Mission S500, Easton Z Air, Kor Shift, Mission 120XP Height: 5'11 (and change) Weight: 210-215 lbs Size: 10 EE (wide foot) Usage: Average 3 times week over course of 12 months for this review – 2 hour sessions Prologue One thing to consider before reading this is my affinity for the ‘little guys’. For the companies with indie aesthetic and values, making products for core players. Some may call that a purist, elitist and BS attitude, but it’s just the way I roll. I will always go out of my way to support the little guys making killer products rather than the giants just making hype. Make sense? Mission isn’t the biggest guy on the block, and they don’t have the most marketing ‘firepower’ but they are doing their best to make products for you and I to enjoy and progress our individual games by. And a damn fine job they are doing…. Fit Prior to coming to the L7, I was in the S500, what is known as a Supple Fit skate also made by Mission. What I sacrificed for mobility in the S500 was the ankle support. The S500 is a lower cut boot that offers a ton of ankle freedom and mobility. Having snapped both ankles over the years from bmx, motocross and skateboarding, ankle support is a big deal for me. The L7 is a higher cut ‘stiff’ boot that offers considerable ankle support while not being overly restrictive. The forward flex on these isn’t the greatest the first few times you are out, but eventually break in a bit. They are heat moldable including moldable tongue, and conform beautifully to your foot with no hot spots after baking. Get ‘em baked once and they are fully ready to rip. The one drawback, for me anyway, about the fit is that there is just a bit of dead space around my left ankle, but I think it's due to the odd shapes of my ankles from previous damage. 9/10 Blade/Holder Not much else can be said about Pitch that hasn’t already been said. I will put the steel up against anyone’s in the business for longevity of holding an edge. Kor skates also feature Pitch holders/steel on their boots, and I’ve noticed that some pros around the NHL, including Scott Hartnell of the Flyers, use Pitch on a different manu’s boot. I use my Pitch on the +1 setting, but it’s all personal preference. +1 puts you in a little more aggressive stance, allowing you to get more out of your stride and promoting a good (and natural) knee bend. 10/10 Weight With the advancements of hockey skates in the last few years, I don’t think the L7 is the lightest boot you are going to find. Having said that, when you are my size, (that is to say, built like a man) the weight differential is hardly noticeable. If you are a player that needs the lightest skate on your feet, the L7 may not be for you, but it's certainly no slouch. But if you’re that hung up on counting grams, stick with Weight Watchers. 8/10 Protection Adequate protection. There are some thin spots around the boot that you don’t want to take a shot off of, but I guess the same could be said for any skate. The worst spot, for me, was taking a puck off the inside of the base of my big toe, where your forefoot bulges out. It didn’t feel too good. 8/10 Durability Because of my love and affinity for the L7, I bought up what I could buy up on closeout. I have the pair I’m currently using, and another few pair on backup. The pair I am currently in, I have been using for the last 12 months and they are still golden. One thing to consider, I take insanely good care of my gear. They come out of my bag as soon as I get home – it’s the first thing I do – and the insoles come out immediately to dry. The boot has not broken down one bit. I will say the forward flex is a little better now then when they were brand new, but 12 months will do that. Durability is one of the L7’s strongest attributes, and all told, probably one of the best value aspects of the skate. 10/10 Other As much as I love the L7’s functionality, I absolutely abhor the aesthetic of the skate out of the box. The ‘gradient color’ design is flat out nasty. As you can see by the pic, I like to customize my L7’s to look more traditional. I simply use some hockey tape to mask off the laces and logos, and hit the sides with rustoleum black. It works. But get your own ideas. Don’t bite my steez. Conclusion If you are looking for an affordable top of the line skate, the Mission L7 fits the bill. One of the most durable and performance driven skates you can still get. Obviously, they’re out of production, but you can still find them at various hockey retailers on closeout or the dreaded ebay. If you find something that works for you and you really believe in, make sure you buy some extra. There is a reason certain pros still use certain things made years ago. You know when something is perfect for you and your style of play. The Mission L7 skate is that product for me. People throw around ratings, that quite honestly, might not be the same for another user. I give the L7 a solid 9/10, but that is based on what the skates do for me, personally, and what is important to me in a skate. I hope I have given accurate accounts and descriptions on the actual functionality of the L7 skates without using typical buzzwords, cliches and hyperbole. Hopefully, someone can apply this to their own applications.

Not at all...the final price was a very reasonable $125usd, but the $35 shipping stung a bit. It's all relative. I had an opportunity to use the stick again last night and I can't say enough good things about it. I've never given much thought to shorter blade lengths, as they relate to control, before now.

Yet another pro stock TPS Response Lite for the quiver - Ales Kotalik game readied stick. I bought this off NHL Auctions, and I couldn't give a shit about the autograph, I obviously wanted it to use because it's a TPS and I've always liked Kotalik's pattern. I changed all the tape before using it. Kotalik blacked out only one side of the bottom half, and it was the 'outside'. What I didn't expect though, was just how nice the blade pattern really is. It's a moderate mid/toe with a nice open flair at the end. But the blade itself is shorter in length than a typical blade, and the bottom is pretty flat, no rocker, and it all combines for unbelievable puck control. I love this stick.

Did you get them from Goalie Crease? I really want to indulge and get the Salo or the Schultz pair. I decided to use that money and get customs made. But...still do have the itch for either of those.

WOW, TBL. Just wow. Very, very nice. You couldn't resist! I admire that. :D

Li- How do you like those palms?

Question for TBL: When you initially submit your mockup of custom Eagle gloves, typically how long until someone contacts you from the store you emailed the file to?

Is the 08 Hossa the same curve as previous Hossa pattern? The only reason I ask is because in this catalog, it looks like it's deeper. All in all, very nice looking stuff, and I wish Mission nothing but success.

As Tall As Lions are amazing and I give them a plug a few pages back, I think. Performing live, they sound exactly like they do recorded. The guy really is an incarnate of Jeff Buckley. I hate comparing things like that, but he's got the pipes, and I wish NOTHING but success for ATAL. As for Voxtrot, yeah, saw them play about 2 years ago in Chicago with Decibully, and thought to myself, it won't be long until the public gets a hold of these lads.

The new Minus The Bear record 'Planet of Ice' is REALLY good. Probably their most polished and melodic work. Voxtrot's recent self titled album is also on heavy rotation in the ipod. Oh, and I forgot to mention, I've been digging Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio's side project: Heavens. Very 80s-ish, for fans of New Order/Wire/Smiths/Morrissey. Nightmare Of You - Bang (EP)

Not trying to derail this thread, but Drew, you like the VHex over the Fuel?

Is it 95 flex?? How does Mission's 95 feel? When you get a chance to use it, post back how it feels. I've been on the fence for a VHex.

Thanks! The mustang palms are really nice. Super soft, almost feel like velour. A guy on my team was trying to clown me last night, telling me the gloves look like I'm wearing those Incredible Hulk hands that are popular around Halloween. :D BHill - How are you liking that Daley VHex?? That's a nice looking stick.

Nothing too special, but the latest addition to my strange, green glove obsession...

Nothing special here, but I was pretty psyched to have picked these up. Nylon TPS HGT Pro Return Wild gloves. The cuff is a little longer than normal, giving them a more traditional fit. I don't necessarily care for the Minnesota Wild as a team, but I have to admit, the color combo is my favorite by far. So ugly, yet so good. :)

Just got this Nik Zherdev XXX Lite Pro Return (87) Nice stick, but still can't supplant my Stealth Gaborik.

MSH Member Mack just made a certain Coyotes fan (ME!) happier than a pig in shit when he unearthed this dagger for me. Nothing special to most, but for me, I'm psyched. Period. Easton Stealth Derek Morris Pro Stock I took some time to clean her up, and she's ready to go for Sunday night. Thanks again Mack! I've been trying to send you a PM but your mailbox is jammed.

Awesome stuff Chadd. I respect brand loyalty.

I've been listening to Slender Means non stop. They're a band from Washington state, and they're pretty damn good. So good. They used to be called Lightheavyweight with a few different members, and the singer reminds me of Jeff Buckley.

Just received this yesterday, as a member here hooked me up. Thanks again Buzz. I was able to get on the ice with it for about an hour yesterday afternoon. Believe it or not, it's my first ever Easton one piece. All these years, I've never used an Easton OPS. I'm digging it so far...I can tell you it's unbelievably light and balanced. Easton Stealth Gaborik

Nice Yotes stuff. :) But damn, am I ever happy they got rid of the mecha-coyote.

+1 Very nice skates! The Black TUUK's are a nice touch. Bet you're stoked.

Currently rocking these Eagle Brewer 5 Roll: And my two current daggers: Warrior Dolo Smyth Warrior Dolo Pro Stock Kovalchuk