New Pair of Mission Skates

[lawryde 0]

I recently bought a pair of Fuel 85s after skating on a pair of CCM tacks for over 8 years (They still had a real steel toe in them). I tried some new CCMs and a variety of other skates, but the Missions had the best fit for me.

Ever since I began skating on the Fuels my groin has been very strained and sore post game. I always give it a really good stretch prior to playing and even during period breaks now that it’s been giving me trouble.

I’m really wondering why this is happening. Is it the new stiffer boot forcing my skating technique to be different, which is causing extra strain on my groin? Is it the pitch of the blade? I’ve been skating on neutral and haven’t had the chance to try +1 or –1.

Any thoughts?

[indaslot 0]

Is it on both sides or just one? Did you recently star skating after a layoff or did yyou increase the frequency?if not, than I would suspect the skates.If you can't verify this by swithching back to your old skates,a biomechanical exam would yield the most information about what is causing this problem.

[Dougie8 0]

If your groins are already tweaked, or strained dont stretch them. That won't help at all.

[DamnLocust 0]

neutral pitch is probably closest to your CCMs, but I don't know if changing pitch would even have an affect on your groin.

Perhaps it has something to do with the radius. Older skates that have been sharpened a lot get curved at the ends resulting in a shorter radius. Most CCM these days start out on a 9foot radius, but over the years, unless you've had them profiled or changed the steel recently, they could have been down as low as a 7 or 6. New steel from mission is on either a 9foot or 11foot radius, depending on holder size. A longer radius will bite more ice than a shortened one, thus presumably applying more pressure on your joints when cutting/stopping/etc, even if using the same hollow. Have you had difficulty in turning or stopping at all?

Or maybe you just tweaked something and didn't know it. If possible, take a week or two off and see if it helps at all. Another option would be to go to a shallower hollow, and see if it lessens the soreness. A shallower hollow will also bite less ice, putting less pressure on the joints.

[mccaff 0]

Locust's answer makes sense. You probably use different muscles with the bigger radius.

Groin injuries usually take time, no stretching will do much to help.

[Lester8 11]

I would avoid static stretching before skating. I just read that it relaxes and weakens the area, making it more susceptible to injury. Static stretching is leaning until you feel tension, and then holding. You should reserve that for after exercise. Try dynamic stretching before exercise, like jumping jacks, shoulder circles, etc.

If we're talking about groin the same way, it hurts to pull your legs together. Ask around if the ice felt different to anybody else. My first guess is your skates don't bite enough and your legs slipped out, so there was extra extension on your groin. If that was the case, get a deeper hollow. Do you find you glide further than you used to? Because maybe you're working the old way with new tools--The longer stock radius has you reaching full stride extension sooner than you're used to, and you've overextend. Similarly, it's entirely possible the long flats of the blade made your feet feel like they were on parting tracks. In which case, you would be more comfortable with a shorter radius. My last guess is the ankle is too loose, and you are squeezing your groin to stabilize. Keep us updated.

[lawryde 0]

Thanks guys, lots of good information.

About a year ago I broke the runners on my CCM's and had them and the steel replaced. I don't recall the switch to new steel affecting my groin as much as these new missions, so I don't think it's the radius of the new steel.

My legs definitely aren't slipping out, so I think I'll try a shallower hollow. I also like the idea of dynamic stretching before a game to warm up the muscles.

[cris8 0]

Does anyone know how to adjust the pitch on the Pitch3 bladeholder? I cannot figure it out. After I undo the two screws, there seems to be no way to adjust the height from neutral. Thanks in advance.

[Chadd 916]

Does anyone know how to adjust the pitch on the Pitch3 bladeholder? I cannot figure it out. After I undo the two screws, there seems to be no way to adjust the height from neutral. Thanks in advance.

You only need to remove the back bolt and loosen the front bolt. Then you have to pull the steel down or push it up. The first few times is difficult because it's very tight. I use pliers to pull the steel down and a towel to let me push the steel up without cutting myself.

[cris8 0]

That was it. Perfect advice. Thanks.