Wannabe Apprecation Station of Badassery and Ass-Kicking and Chewing and Large Pizzas with Extra Testosteroni.

[eric42434224 1]

That is a matter of opinion, and an opinion I dont share. Your definition of aggressive....and your idea of what constitutes an adult league for that matter....likely differ from mine.

You are sounding dangerously close to one of those windmills out there with a cage on that everybody hates playing against. If it's non-contact, it's beer league, you wear a cage so you don't get sticked in the mouth by mistake, hit in the face with a puck, that sort of thing...not so you can fly around out there like the second coming of Bobby Clarke. Really, if taking your cage off would change your game that much, you need to re-think your entire approach.

you sound dangerously like someone who is making silly assumptions with no basis in fact. I play completely within the rules, but I play aggressively. I play hard and leave it all out on the ice....just like everyone else in my league.

Let me help illustrate and assist you in understanding.

It there is a puck in the corner, I go after it as hard as I can. That space and puck is just as much mine as anyone elses. If someone goes after it at the same time and we get there at the same time, I am not going to let up. If we run into each other, and he goes down...too bad. And I will dig after that puck too. I dont break any rules or am a "windmill" (that was just ridiculous by the way). I play HARD, and AGRESSIVE. Hockey is hard and aggressive. Would I go into the corners as hard without a cage? Of course not. Why do you wear shin guards? Would you go into the corners...or play hockey the same way if you didnt wear shin guards? Nope. Why is this any different...both are for protection, and can affect the way you play.

If you dont want to wear a cage, fine....but you cant expect me to change my perfectly legal and acceptable style of play to coddle you. Its your choice. Go start a watered-down, mellow and coombyah league with all the half-sheilders (see...that generalization isnt nice, and neither is the windmill one).

In my experience (and I'm not saying it is the case here) most of the guys who go to such lengths to emphasize how "hard and aggressive" they play, are exactly the guys most people hate playing against and take beer leagues way too seriously.

I can understand that you may feel that way in certain circumstances. But I just started to play again after 23 years, and knew nothing of adult leagues, their etiquite, or the level of skill and seriousness. I only play as hard and aggressive as is the norm in the league. My league is fun, but it is also serious. You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time. Just remember, the players who are more serious and competetive also get frustrated with people who just dontt seem to care or try hard. It does work both ways.

I will just end that I play very hard and perhaps aggressive.....but I play CLEAN.

Cant fault me for trying my best every shift. And I wear my protective gear for only one reason....for protection. I have debated many many times wether to go to a shield. My decision never has to do with how it will affect my play....just that I am scared to get seriously hurt in an area like my eyes (my front 6 teeth are already fake)

[chk hrd 164]

Any player who fancies himself a "pest" or "agitator" at the beer league level is an asshole, cage or not.

^^^^^^

Exactamundo.

Lets look at it from another viewpoint. Perhaps it isnt that players play more aggressively with a cage (hockey can and should be aggressive), but that players with a without a cage play a more fearful and passive brand of hockey. Hmmm? I wear a cage and play aggressively (as aggressive as I can but within the rules). Is it wrong that I must sacrafice my play and pussify it so guys that want to wear a half shield to look cool dont get hurt? Just another viewpoint. A shield is a choice, and you need to remember the consequences of wearing one in an aggressive game like hockey.

Guys with cages are usually the ones not in control of their sticks, always seem to have hands and sticks high, and tend to play a much more reckless style. If not playing like that is pussifying your game, then so be it. If you must continue like that then don't be offended everytime you clip a guy who responds with, "Take off the cage if you're gonna play like that."

I wear a cage and have pretty damn good control of my stick and everything else. i wear a cage because there are to many people , caged, visored or wearing nothing that can barely control thier breathing let alone a stick. The biggest JO's are the ones who think thier trying out for the big show or want to proove how good they are, but really suck.

It's not about making anyone tougher it's about keeping myself safe.

[M.W. 0]

I think this is the original point of Wannabe's, to many guys with cages play hard because they have cages and would play differently if they didn't have the extra protection.

Maybe I'm interpreting this a different way, but I thought Wannabe's complaint was that guys wore cages because they play in a way that leads to people punching them in the face, and they don't want to get punched in the face.

I play with a half visor, and have for a while. The more I think about it lately, though, the more I realize that I am unconsciously hesitant in going into the corners for a puck battle, or screening the goalie in front of the net. It's just beer league, and the last thing I want is to get my face rearranged by some guy's stick, or a deflected slapshot from my pointman. It's not that I'm playing scared, but I'm just subconsciously more careful. I'm not a dirty player at all, but I've been considering putting on a cage because a) it's just beer league, and I care about my well being more than I do about the extra visibility, and b ) I'll probably play a bit more aggressively with a cage. Not aggressive in the sense of running guys through the boards or throwing out a lot of stickwork, but in the sense of losing the natural self preservation while driving into a melee to get a loose puck. It has nothing to do with being able to hack at a guy without a fear of repercussions.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

MY league requires a cage, so according to wannabe, we're all douchebags in our league

[Jason Harris 31]

The truth is there are dirty players from both camps, and our perception is skewed by our own preferences.

For instance, I've skated with players who have played some level of college or juniors. Even in pickups, some of these guys will do cheap stuff -- a spear or slash, sloo-foot, crosscheck -- at a relatively minor level, but annoying nonetheless. Some of the guys I recall doing this skate without cages, but I think that is irrelevant to the way they play; I think they play dirty because they were taught how to play dirty while playing higher levels. It's akin to an NHL, NBA or NFL game. Ever see them NOT grab a jersey as a guy is trying to break free? I haven't. They probably didn't play that way as eight-year-olds, but they sure learned how as they progressed. The only problem is some of these players take the dirty play a step further and venture into physical injury. And I don't think a cage has much to do with their mentality.

Regarding AGGRESSIVE and HARD, if I see a puck in the corner, I'm making a beeline for it. If the other guy beats me to it, I have to either play the puck with my stick or come to a stop without hitting him, then attempt to steal the puck without interfering with his progress. If the two of us reach the puck at the same time, we have equal rights to the puck, so, as long as my attempts are to win the puck and not just to hit the other guy, then the contact is incidental and if he happens to be knocked over, so be it. If I reach the puck first, then I have rights to it and will continue ahead with full speed. That may mean that we potentially collide and one of us falls over, but I haven't done anything illegal or dirty.

Am I more likely to play that hard because I don't have to worry about a stray stick, elbow or helmet smacking my nose? Absolutely. But as I tell all the kids I've coached, almost all sports boil down to a race of you against another guy. In this case, it was a race to see whether I could beat the guy to the puck. If he wins, I have to back off; if I win, he has to back off. If he loses because he's hesitant to go full speed due to no cage, he has to accept that as the disadvantage of going cageless, just as he likely accepts the increase visibility as the advantage of going cageless.

[Goonsquad 209]

I wear a cage and have pretty damn good control of my stick and everything else. i wear a cage because there are to many people , caged, visored or wearing nothing that can barely control thier breathing let alone a stick. The biggest JO's are the ones who think thier trying out for the big show or want to proove how good they are, but really suck.

It's not about making anyone tougher it's about keeping myself safe.

It goes back to "Are we getting paid for playing this sport?" and "Do we have to get up the next morning to go to our real jobs". And seriously what does retaliation hit going to do for the team? someone on here used the quote "Do whats good for the team!" on here. Will you retaliating really help the team or is it personal satisfaction? If its the later than I suggest reevaluating why that course of action should be taken.

[roller to ice 0]

i really dont see why everyones freaking out on wannabe its a rant it supposed to irrational stupid and somewhat pointless i found it funny actually. i wear a full cage and only play pick up and beer league on ice and have played in roller league w/ full cage and am somewhat of a big guy using my body a lil more than most and whenever anyone challenges me to take the cage of and scrap i do and i hate the lil pests who wear fullcages and make everyone who wears it just to be safe like me look like an ahole

[B19Kress 0]

This is why I wear a cage

http://www.thethirdmanin.com/2008.12.01_ar...l#1229324982672

[mrusse01 0]

I can understand that you may feel that way in certain circumstances. But I just started to play again after 23 years, and knew nothing of adult leagues, their etiquite, or the level of skill and seriousness. I only play as hard and aggressive as is the norm in the league. My league is fun, but it is also serious. You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time. Just remember, the players who are more serious and competetive also get frustrated with people who just dontt seem to care or try hard. It does work both ways.

I will just end that I play very hard and perhaps aggressive.....but I play CLEAN.

Cant fault me for trying my best every shift. And I wear my protective gear for only one reason....for protection. I have debated many many times wether to go to a shield. My decision never has to do with how it will affect my play....just that I am scared to get seriously hurt in an area like my eyes (my front 6 teeth are already fake)

I'd be interested in how many PIMs you have. I personally average about 1 minor every 10 games, at most. I have 2 PIMs this year in 14 games. If you are keeping your PIMs at a reasonable level, then you are probably playing up to whatever standard of aggressiveness your league tolerates. I know it can vary, I just personally don't really want to play in leagues where I feel I need to put on a cage to feel safe.

[eric42434224 1]

I really dont know how many I get, but when I do, they arent intentional. Things like accidentally tripping a guy when I am trying to poke check. None in the last game (the one with all the chippiness, penalties, a brawl, and ejections).

Like I said. I play a clean game. Even the best and cleanest players get penalties. The two players with the most PIM on my team are guys with half shields....go figure. There just isnt any real correlation between face protection and PIM.

[mgoblue 0]

I'll echo the sentiment that I take no issue with guys wearing cages, but in doing so, they forfeit all their rights to talk smack on the ice to a cageless player.

I have a helmet with a cage and a helmet with a visor. The cage comes out when I know I'm playing against a team with a lot of cage-wearers. I'd say it's been pretty well established in the hockey community that guys with cages are more careless with their sticks than guys without them.

[eric42434224 1]

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk. But if the gloves are going to drop, I think the helmet and facial protection needs to come off ASAP regardless of what type you wear. I have always found fighting with a visor is quite lame.

[Chadd 916]

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk.

I'm going to disagree there, especially for the guys in beer leagues. It goes back to my comments about "pests" and agitators".

[eric42434224 1]

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk.

I'm going to disagree there, especially for the guys in beer leagues. It goes back to my comments about "pests" and agitators".

Not saying I do it, but there really isnt anything inherently "wrong" with it. I dont do it, and I discourage my team from doing it. I agree that it is a jerk who starts it unsolicited....but a good player can talk smack back too. It can be a part of the game. My point was that it has nothing to do with what type of facial protection you wear, it is more about what type of person they are. Remember....sticks and stones....:)

[mgoblue 0]

The old beer league adage - "It's easy to talk smack behind a cage."

Let me put it this way:

If a guy wearing a cage called me a pussy while I was wearing a visor, I'd ensure that he regretted the comment.

[eric42434224 1]

What does the cage have to do with it? So if he didnt wear a cage, and he called you a pussy, that would be ok with you?

It seems you just have a problem with guys wearing cages, or else your statement would have been:

"If a guy wearing a cage called me a pussy while I was wearing a visor, I'd ensure that he regretted the comment. "

[mgoblue 0]

I would resent him calling me a pussy, but I would respect his right to do so.

Edit - In response to your edit, I have no problem with guys wearing cages in general. Like I said, I myself wear a cage when I don't trust the opposing team with regards to stick carelessness.

[Chadd 916]

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk.

I'm going to disagree there, especially for the guys in beer leagues. It goes back to my comments about "pests" and agitators".

Not saying I do it, but there really isnt anything inherently "wrong" with it. I dont do it, and I discourage my team from doing it. I agree that it is a jerk who starts it unsolicited....but a good player can talk smack back too. It can be a part of the game. My point was that it has nothing to do with what type of facial protection you wear, it is more about what type of person they are. Remember....sticks and stones.... :)

In a beer league, there's no need for bullshit like that. The only point of trash talk is to get under the skin of the other guys, again I reference my "pests" and "agitator" comment.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Beer league tough guys are retarded. It's the worst when you play against a whole team of them. Especially when one of them has long hair and a handlebar mustache. BAD ASS.

[chippa13 1844]

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk. But if the gloves are going to drop, I think the helmet and facial protection needs to come off ASAP regardless of what type you wear. I have always found fighting with a visor is quite lame.

Assumption 1: Your gloves are like those mittens small children wear that have the string that goes through the sleeves.

Assumption 2: You have heard some version of the phrase, "Lose the cage" several times.

[eric42434224 1]

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk.

I'm going to disagree there, especially for the guys in beer leagues. It goes back to my comments about "pests" and agitators".

Not saying I do it, but there really isnt anything inherently "wrong" with it. I dont do it, and I discourage my team from doing it. I agree that it is a jerk who starts it unsolicited....but a good player can talk smack back too. It can be a part of the game. My point was that it has nothing to do with what type of facial protection you wear, it is more about what type of person they are. Remember....sticks and stones.... :)

In a beer league, there's no need for bullshit like that. The only point of trash talk is to get under the skin of the other guys, again I reference my "pests" and "agitator" comment.

Once again Chadd, I agree with you. But I also know that there are dicks that are like that in every league, but I see them equally in cages, visors, and helmet only. It is only talk, and not against the rules (up to a certain point of course). Its kind of like the "freedom of speech" thing.....I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it. They can talk trash, and I think they have the right to do it....but I dont subscribe to that tactic myself.

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk. But if the gloves are going to drop, I think the helmet and facial protection needs to come off ASAP regardless of what type you wear. I have always found fighting with a visor is quite lame.

Assumption 1: Your gloves are like those mittens small children wear that have the string that goes through the sleeves.

Assumption 2: You have heard some version of the phrase, "Lose the cage" several times.

Incorrect.

1- I wear a cage

2- I play clean hockey...at least as clean as I can

3- I dont initiate smack talk...but I will talk back in certain instances.

4- I have never, nor will ever, drop gloves under any circumstances. Doing so is just silly.

5- I have never been asked to "lose the cage".

6- I have never seen any gloves off fist fight in my league, and hesitate to think there ever will be one.

To make those assumptions about me from my posts doesnt say much about your reading comprehention.

[mgoblue 0]

Assumption 1: Your gloves are like those mittens small children wear that have the string that goes through the sleeves.

4- I have never, nor will ever, drop gloves under any circumstances. Doing so is just silly.

[Spreedizzle 1]

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk. But if the gloves are going to drop, I think the helmet and facial protection needs to come off ASAP regardless of what type you wear. I have always found fighting with a visor is quite lame.

Let me get this straight......you play BEER LEAGUE and even make a reference to "dropping the gloves"!!???? Are you for real? You sound like the root of the problem in a league such as this.

[armada 0]

The whole respect thing in hockey can be so childish at times. Can we all just shut the fuck up and play this GAME for FUN? Just because someone talks shit to you doesn't mean you have to go and lay his ass out to prove a point, you're becoming just as big of a douche bag who initiated it in the first place.

[eric42434224 1]

Assumption 1: Your gloves are like those mittens small children wear that have the string that goes through the sleeves.

4- I have never, nor will ever, drop gloves under any circumstances. Doing so is just silly.

I have never seriously considered doing it and have never even been remotely in the position for it to happen. Get it? It never even gets anywhere near that level in my league. My gloves dont have strings because it never gets to the point that anyone even considers dropping the gloves as an option.

Not sure why this is such a hard concept.

I think you can talk smack anytime no matter what you are wearing. Talk is just talk. But if the gloves are going to drop, I think the helmet and facial protection needs to come off ASAP regardless of what type you wear. I have always found fighting with a visor is quite lame.

Let me get this straight......you play BEER LEAGUE and even make a reference to "dropping the gloves"!!???? Are you for real? You sound like the root of the problem in a league such as this.

How so? If you would take the time to read, you would see that I dont fight, and would never even consider it under any circumstance.

I comment on it because that is the topic at hand. Cmon...seriously?...your response is silly.

How can one make the jump from me commenting on a hypothetical scenario, and not even one that I said I would even be associated with, to me actually doing said things and being "part of the problem"?

So to answer....no, you most certainly did not get it straight...and should make more of an effort next time to do so.

Wow.

The whole respect thing in hockey can be so childish at times. Can we all just shut the fuck up and play this GAME for FUN? Just because someone talks shit to you doesn't mean you have to go and lay his ass out to prove a point, you're becoming just as big of a douche bag who initiated it in the first place.

Quoted for truth.