OPS for ball hockey

[tml67 0]

Does anyone use an OPS for ball hockey?

I have been using a shaft + abs blade. I would like to try out an OPS, but I'm afraid the non-abs blade will wear quickly on cemet surface.

For those using an OPS (synergy or tps xn10) for ball hockey, how's the wear on the blade?

Thanks

[roadrunner 12]

I think I can comment on this, I've been using graphite blades mostly, with the occasional OPS for 5yrs. If your playing on polished concrete/cement it will last longer than ice hockey. My blades last me an average of 6 months some more, some get stepped on. I'm talking about Z-carbon blades which are generally less durable than OPS blades from my experiance. However it will wear quicker than your abs blades.

On the other hand if your playing on cement like the sidewalk(which we occasional get rinks that are literally textured like a sidewalk) then say

sayonara in about 2 games.

[gee2626 0]

I find if you don't protect the bottom of the blade, cracking and chipping easily occurs. That's why I fully tape the entire blade when I blade ball hockey.

[Patrick67 1]

It's not worth the money to play with an OPS in ball hockey, and do your self a favor an start using the Koho 4400 23 curve, outlasts and outperforms just about any blade for ball hockey.

23 curve is crazy, it's terribly for puck but with a ball you really get some extra velocity on your shot, just about everyone around here use it and we play on asphalt mostly.

[SR27 0]

Like Roadrunner said if the floor is polished the OPS will last a long time. Just put a strip of tape on the bottom if you like and it lasts even longer. The only OPS I hade trouble with using for ball was the Synergy. If the floor is sidewalk style you will have problems. The V110 is probably the best for that if you want an OPS badly. I got great results with a XN10 OPS and a two piece with all types of composite blades as well, Stelth did it, Adrenalie, all of them without problem.

[supahdon 0]

I've used a M-1 over the last year and it's held up pretty well. We play on basically cement, which tends to chew through blades pretty quick. I had a Z-Bubble + Z-Carbon blade combo, and the blade lasted me maybe six months before becoming noticeably soft.

Like Patrick67 said, it's probably not worth the money. I can only justify the M-1 because my LHS mislabeled the price :P

[Havok19 0]

Same has roadrunner.I use a stealth 85 flex gaborik/yzerman and i played over 55 game with it and its still going strong and the only chip i have is on top of the blade not on the botom.The prob with OPS is that they get very addictive.In one of my others leagues they banned ops and graphite blade (wooden floor) so we are back at using other kind of stick and i miss my damn ops....but its only once a week my other 3 league let us use them.

Havok19

[notorious#29 0]

Like others have said, if you are playing on a smooth concrete floor, you should be ok, just make sure you put one or two layers of tape on the bottom of the blade, so the added friction with the concrete won't chew up the bottom of your blade. I had a bad expericne with an Inno blade that I used on a smooth concrete floor, the friction from the concrete burned though my tape, and the graphite on the bottom. By the end of the game, I could see the white foam on the inside of the blade. Then I stated using a few layers of tape on the bottom and I was good to go.

I agree with SR27, A Vector V110, would be a good choice for a concrete.

[supahdon 0]

I bought my (then girlfriend) a Vector shaft + V110 blade like 18 months ago. Both are still going strong today. The CCM blades (V20/V40/etc) tend to last on our surfance.

[Havok19 0]

You old gf is still going strong .... :P (joking)

[supahdon 0]

You old gf is still going strong .... :P (joking)

:P

It was especially annoying when her team knocked mine out of our league playoffs last season. She managed to get credited with a goal after a centering pass deflected off her shin, over my blocker, off the post, and in.

[roadrunner 12]

It's not worth the money to play with an OPS in ball hockey, and do your self a favor an start using the Koho 4400 23 curve, outlasts and outperforms just about any blade for ball hockey.

23 curve is crazy, it's terribly for puck but with a ball you really get some extra velocity on your shot, just about everyone around here use it and we play on asphalt mostly.

I think using the newest technology for ball hockey is same as using it for beer leagues. It's just rec. I do see the difference in shot, speed, release but for me it's the weight that really makes the difference. When your running with a log in your hands believe me it does weigh you down. It's alson helped me lift the ball quicker on wristers and adds a zip to shots.

[Patrick67 1]

I agree that the weight of the stick is very inportant, it doesn't have to be a 395g OPS but just a nice light shaft so stickhandling doesn't become a drag. I don't feel like it makes me a slower skater to play with woodie but it impairs my stickhandling in tight situations compared to a lighter stick.

[DaveTheWave 0]

Buy a Nike Apollo OPS' for like $50, and you'll have a cheap solution.

[#28tz 0]

Ive noticed the bottom of my innovative blade splitting at the bottom and i play on wooden floors, and i havent had the blade too long. I want to keep using composite blades but can someone recommend me a blade that will last longer and still has the performance of a good blade.

[#28tz 0]

Anyone know if the tps Sundin Curve is a big curve good for ball?

[Geeno_56 1]

If your playing on a inline cement surface, I say go for it.

[SR27 0]

Anyone know if the tps Sundin Curve is a big curve good for ball?

Yes it is, and yes it is. :D

[tml67 0]

I had the V100, but I didn't like the feel of it and it's kind of heavy for my liking.

The V110 is probably lighter than the V100, but they are expensive.

I purchased the XN10 for $115. I'm still contemplating to keep it or not. Does the XN10 make good shafts like the Synergys?

[logan 0]

Around here, at least a quarter of the guys in Tier 1 ballhockey are using OPS's. I have a p28 XN10 that I started using for ballhockey for the past 3 weeks, and it feels amazing! I never liked superlight sticks, but for ballhockey it is perfect since the ball itself is much lighter than a puck. Also composite blades actually provide good feel with an orange ball. (I only use it indoors in a gym, or on polished concrete).

[Patrick67 1]

What team do you play for?

[SR27 0]

Around here, at least a quarter of the guys in Tier 1 ballhockey are using OPS's. I have a p28 XN10 that I started using for ballhockey for the past 3 weeks, and it feels amazing! I never liked superlight sticks, but for ballhockey it is perfect since the ball itself is much lighter than a puck. Also composite blades actually provide good feel with an orange ball. (I only use it indoors in a gym, or on polished concrete).

That´s right. Over here like 90% of the Division 1 players either use ops or 2-piece with carbon blades. Only wood sticks you will find are the Jofa 4020 and occasionally you will find guys using Koho blades in their shafts.

[tml67 0]

I only play recreational ball hockey...nothing competitive :D

I play in and indoor rink so the surface is fairly smooth. I also play on wood surface in a gym.

If I decide to keep the xn10, I'll probably use it solely on the wood surface to prolong the life of the blade.

[logan 0]

What team do you play for?

Umm... The Jets. :P

I actually play in an organized pickup league if you wanna call it that. Just a group of about 50 guys and friends of friends. We have six teams and play out at a local gym.

We did have a team in the Mississauga league last summer, but it was a Tier 3 team. Some of the older guys I played pickup with needed a player so they asked me to fill in.

Only two of them use OPS. We're not exactly a high calibre team by any means. Some of them are still using their 10yr old Titan sticks. :lol:

[roadrunner 12]

I play in Tier 3 at the YCBHL(horrible Officiating) alot of good talent. I'd say 40% have OPS. I've played as high as Tier 2 and I'd say the ratio of People using OPS is the same as in Tier 4. However, about more than half of that 40% use price point OPS like Nemesis', the silver Vapor, Vic, etc