beerleaguecaptain

I have no say in that. The league is run by the rink. I'm over it.. moved on. Next season starts in a week or two!

Yup... If that's the worst of my problems then life is pretty darn good!

This was our best team in years. Great guys, great locker room and finished the season in 1st place. Just lost in the finals and it stings. What bugs me is that we were the better team but after a 15 game season we played one semi final and then the finals. You's think there would be a better format. In the game our skilled guys couldn't get any open ice to work with and the refs just let them hook and hold and hit all night. Sounds like sour grapes... I guess it is... I'm bummed.

Our team just took delivery of custom soakers and mats from Marcelo at Junkyard Athletic. They are totally awesome. Our men's league team looks like pros! Marcelo delivered ahead of schedule at a great price and the quality is off the charts amazing. I am so stoked!!!!

There are other reasons you shouldn't have kids......

Ultra Tacks line is the descendent of Jofa inspired pads. I don't think they look like a flimsy joke.. many newer pads are going towards that type of foam chest protection. The CL and Bauer APX2 are an example. I haven't really used it yet but the pros are flocking towards the CL and it has bee a very successful product. Certainly worth a look before you bash it.

There is no Ribcor protective line. It's the legacy to the 20K line, etc.

Also looking forward to trying on the Ultra tacks elbows and shins. I'll check out the shoulders too but they might just be too bulky up top - does not look like a low profile pad at all... that line never was to be honest.

Oh my... I had an eternity in retrospect.. so pissed at myself for rushing the shot.

I didn't know you were able to get yourself so close to an NHL bench....

Down 4-3. Goalie pulled. I get the puck on my stick with 2 seconds left... I'm open in the clear at the top of the circle. There's a huge opening to shoot at... glory awaits.... Shot.... Rushed.... Wide..... Game over... ugh....

When does the space ship take off?

You are putting in the work and time now that will pay off with a wonderful future. This of all the people you will be able to help after you graduate med school. Keep plugging away!!

Marketing is marketing... I don't really care much about that. As they say (or used to)... "E Caveat Emptor." Bauer can call it what they want. If it is a good product it will sell. If it is not good it will not.

Tick tock..... waiting......

CCM Tacks Flex: 85 Pattern: P46 Landeskog Height: 5’10” Weight: 226lbs Position: Wing Bought this stick right after demoing it at SJ6 in July. Played about 6 games and 2 drop-ins with it. Comparisons: Past sticks cluttering the garage include Easton sYnergy S19, Easton Stealth RS I and II, Bauer Total One, Miken ZL, True 5.2. Graphics So much of this is personal preference – I tend to like simple black more of a matte finish on my sticks and this is much bolder. That being said the greyish stick with bold yellow and black graphics is sharp and this is a great looking stick. The grey stick colors blends to a matte finish towards the blade. Overall it’s bold but not crazy due to simple classic colors. This is a grip stick, again not my preference, and it does not come in a non grip format. The grip plays moderately tacky and I felt comfortable with it on the ice. Was not hard to get used to but I would prefer non grip. There are no “shark skin” or “diamond” etchings for feel which is just fine by me. 9/10 Stick Construction, Weight and Balance Really well done here. You cannot see the fuse point at all – you can feel it a bit if you run your fingers over it and that’s all. This is a really well made stick. The stick is light weighing in at 430gms but that doesn’t come close to being the lightest in the category (that honor going to the Rekker EK15 at under 400 gms). That being said it’s pretty darn light and the balance is great. Maybe a tad light on the blade for me. 10/10 Blade The blade has a matte finish with a CCM graphic at the toe. That looks nice but I never get the point of that because it gets covered by tape. One thing I have come to look for in a blade is that I want it to be thin yet responsive with a soft feel. The Miken ZL for me set the standard on this and the True was just as good. The CCM blade is fairly thin but not as thin as the Miken or the True. Visually it’s nice. The feel is also pretty darn good. Maybe not quite as good as the Miken but plenty good. Receiving passes it has a soft feel with feedback somewhat muted. The puck though really stays on the blade nicely. Not pingy at all. Nice job on this blade overall. One thing about this blade that is worth discussing is the pattern. I have been using p92 clones for years and recently tried the p14 and fell in love with it. Finding p14 varients has been tough. The p46 Landeskog is billed as a Toews clone but it is not. It might even be better! The lie at the heel is the same as p92 but it has less rocker so there is more blade on the ice as you move towards the toe. I find this is the same as a p14. Where the p46 beats the p14 is that the blade is longer and taller so you get more paddle to play with. Nice job on this. Having more blade on the ice is really helping me shoot and play better. 10/10 Shaft/Flex This is a mid point flex stick and as such is great on clappers. The flex on this one is an 85 and I think it’s a true 85. Loads up nicely and you do have to lean in a bit. Shaft dimensions are excellent and similar to the True and Miken. It is concave but not aggressively so. Rounded corners. Very nice. 10/10 Stick handling, Passing and Shooting As discussed above the blade has a nice feel to it. Not the best ever but fairly good feedback. The puck though seems to stay glued to the blade so in this regard stick handling is helped. Overall I wouldn’t say this is a danglers stick but its is, for sure, a shooter’s stick! The puck is absolutely launched off this stick and I am shooting slap shots better then I ever have. As a mid flex shaft load and release is designed for a slap shot an the stick delivers. Wrist shots are reall solid and hard too – really more suited for a snap but you get my drift I’m sure. Does it have that quick release of a low flex point shaft, no, but that is not what I was looking for. Whether it is the blade pattern I am now using or technology in the stick I am not sure but I do now I am shooting better than I ever have. I’m going to take one point off for stick handling but know I love the game play in this twig. 9/10 Durability The grip finish shows no signs at all of peeling or discoloration. Excellent work on the finish and I expect the paint to hold up well – unlike my Miken ZL! I do have a fairly deep scar on the top of the blade and shaft running from the bottom of the shaft to the top of the blade. I don’t think I took any major chops there so I am bit surprised. As I move forward I will have to see if it I get more. I do not think it will impact long term durability. 8/10 but will revisit this later. Overall Really love the stick. I didn’t know if I would find stick love again after the Miken ZL and I am happy to say I can now move on. Love this stick. In fact a new one (I like to have at least 2 at a time – insert snicker here) was delivered last night!! It out shoots the True, shoots as good as my Miken ZL did and I really think CCM has a winner on their hands. 9/10

CCM 4-Roll Pro II - Purchased from Hockey Monkey 13" Green/White I have been wearing TPS R8s (the regular and then R8 Lite) for many years. I love them but I wanted a pair in green to match a new team jersey. I am kind of hard to fit for gloves - I have decently thick hands but shorter fingers. That puts me in a 13 in most gloves but they are often smallish. I took a flyer on the CCMs based on price and some solid reviews that compared them to then R8s. I will also refer to other gloves in my collection as a reference point (Warrior AK27 and Bauer 4 Roll Pro) Fit - For a 4 roll glove they aren't a wide fit but they are not tapered either. The finger length is right on the money for a 13" but the hand width is a tad snug for me. Guys with generally smaller hands will be in good shape here but if you are like me and have some meat on your bones they might start off a tad snug - especially towards the pinky side of the hand. The other thing is that the hand length, from knuckle to cuff, is shorter. The overall effect is that this is a smaller glove than the R8s. Also smaller than the Bauer 4 Roll. Not uncomfortable mind you but smaller. Slash guards might be a thing to think about with these. 7/10 Weight - Nice and light!!!! Even lighter than the R8s and about the same as my Warrior AK27s. 9/10 Mobility - Once then loosen up this is a nice mobile glove. The size of the glove makes it a pretty low cuff glove and that's nice. The front of the wrist/cuff area is attached with some elastic on each side which provides additional flexibility. Nice job on this front. - 9/10 Break-in - I've had them about 3 weeks now and the palm and fingers are breaking in very easily. Its got nice feel as a result and I really had no problem handling the puck from day 1. Its a fairly soft glove. I am still looking for some stretching to occur on the oinky side of the hand but its coming around. - 8/10 Protection - Nice solid protection on the hand and fingers with plastic inserts over the foams. For a $79 dollar glove this is a real bonus. The shorter glove/cuff length though has left me open to a some hacks at the wrist. Really more of a fit thing there. Did take a hack to the thumb and felt it a bit - could have more protection on the thumb. 8/10 Durability - Hard to say after a few weeks but I will update later on. The palm looks and feels solid and it appears to be a well constructed glove overall. -9/10 Intangibles - For the money this is a heck of a glove and if it fits you well I wouldn't hesitate. It also comes in lots of colors so its a nice glove to pick up to match a jersey like I did. I have to give a shout out to CCM for doing a nice job on ventilation. There are top hand vents with a top mesh cover that allow air to flow nicely. I think over time this glove should hold up better and maybe avoid that stinky smell. Overall - I won't be replacing my beloved R8s but I will be happy to wear them with this team when I need to. I couldn't put them up there with some top level gloves but I didn't spend top of the line money either. If you are looking for a second pair, a specific color, or if you are just looking for a good value glove give this a try. OVERALL 8/10 Like This

No worries... just wanted to try them on. Good with my Bauer's...

I use either CCM Oxy Socks or Recovery Socks. Both are pretty thin. The fit was pretty snug tho. No baking. I'm not really in the market. Just wanted to check them out while I was in Minnesota for the weekend. Probably won't see them on LI anytime soon. From reading your LTR I'd imagine they certainly to open up but that'd be quite the risk for me if I were in the market to buy.

I tried them on Monday afternoon. Very different feel then what I am used to. Much less volume and zero negative space. Tried them on barefoot because i didn't have socks and they fit fit perfectly. With socks, which I prefer, would be a problem. I can see how many guys would love them but not for me.