Maltese Combo Extras Explanation

[DangerIsGo 0]

I just got in contact with Phil and asked him to clarify the following items:

* Widen Clavicle Protection

* Bottom edge of clavicle protection lowered

* Extend Gel Protection over the shoulder area

I'm looking to get a combo and wasn't sure on what they means. Just for everyones reference, this is what he responded with.

*The "widening" modification is meant for those that have a c/a that leaves a little too much body exposed beyond our standard dimensions, which are, 10"w x 4"L (that 4" is from edge to edge of the clavicle pad).

*The "lowering" modification is again, for those whose c/a's neck line is very low. An example of such c/a would be the RBK and the old Heaton models...off the top of my head.

*As for the "extended" shoulders, people who wear Brown c/a's tend to need/get this mod. This is where we extend the gel from the clav pad to the middle of the neck to cover the trapeziums muscles. (This one includes sternum)

I'm not sure how many others had this question, so I thought I'd post to share.

[jcp2 2]

I know the Maltese collar is more for protection against puck impact, but would it be advantageous at all to wear one as a player in lieu of a regular neck protector?

[vision 0]

It's for protection from both BFT ( blunt force trauma - pucks or sticks ) and lacerations ( skates ). Maltese produces a player collar which does not have the clavicle protection of the combo.

The standard clav pad is 4 inches tall and 10 inches wide. That 4 inches it at the outside edges of the combo and decreases to 2.5 inches in the middle of the clav pad. I have never found it necessary to have more than the stock unit but needs vary based on the C/A being used.

::m

[Phantom 19]

I have a standard Maltese Combo (no extra extensions) for goal and love it. I bought a Maltese Collar as a neck protector to skate out in. I highly recommend them. They're highly protective against impacts and skate cuts, and are less bulky than other neck guards out there.

[Law Goalie 147]

I know the Maltese collar is more for protection against puck impact, but would it be advantageous at all to wear one as a player in lieu of a regular neck protector?

Absolutely. Like vision said, it will stop a skate or a stick as well as a puck. I wear mine in and out of net.

[meals7 0]

Does anyone have any experience with the GPS helmet padding they offer?

[Law Goalie 147]

Vision would be able to give you a more thorough impression, but I did once borrow and use a mask that had been retrofitted with the gel.

It adds considerable weight to the mask, but is extremely comfortable on the head; you don't notice the extra weight much if at all, but it is there.

As long as you install the gel in a way that maintains or improves the fit of the mask, it significantly reduces the force of impacts, and post-impact ringing in particular.

The only reason I don't have it in my current mask is that it's already been custom-fitted, and I don't want to dick around with that. I've considered installing it on the backplate purely for comfort, but that wouldn't do much to alleviate ringing or anything else.

One other enormous advantage it offers to roller goalies in particular, and anyone else who finds themselves overheating during play, is improved ventilation (the gel pads are smaller than foam, allowing more airflow) and the ability to remove the gel pads and chill them before a game, or between periods.

[meals7 0]

The pre-game cooling of the gel is what intrigued me the most. As a roller goalie it can get ridiculously hot under the mask. My Itech is just about shot and I was contemplating getting a Hackva with the gel already installed. A little added weight isn't a big deal, doubt I'll notice it.

[Law Goalie 147]

If you really want to go all-out, buy an extra set (or just extras of the larger pieces, like the forward and backplate) and keep it in a cooler on the bench; switch out the GPS inserts between periods; switch them again during the second intermission after the first set has cooled again.