Taking shots on the face

[adalbort 1]

A few weeks ago we talked about whether it was worth to wear a visor or not

(see http://www.modsquadhockey.com/forums/index.php?/topic/53258-is-it-really-worth-it-wearing-a-visor-at-a-junior-a-level)

I ran into this youtube video today. IMO, after watching this, it settles the question. Damn!

[Steve_v3 289]

I understand the cage over the shield argument but how could you go without anything.

Not worth risking my eyesight.

[Stryker 37]

Honestly, even though I'm still in minor hockey, and can't wear a visor, when I go to skating clinics, or stick and puck, or anything that I can wear a visor to, I do. I can't stand using a cage now, even though things like that may happen. I wouldn't go without facial protection, though...

[Chadd 916]

I understand the cage over the shield argument but how could you go without anything.

Not worth risking my eyesight.

Just before my game last week I wiped off my visor and set it on the bench. It somehow rubbed against the concrete block wall and got scratched all to hell in two minutes or less. I ended up playing without one for the first time in a long time and was really cautious.

[TBLfan 25]

Last pickup I was at, I dodged a high-stick in front of one of the benches... my friends on that bench thought it was hilarious. I'm doing that crap all the time but I just prefer playing without a cage, wish I could get used to a shield though.

[Scotty 8]

Naturally had to use a cage all through high school and college hockey, but since I managed a pro shop at a rink for a couple years I used to take the cage off to skate after the rink closed and shoot around. Got used to it like that and once college hockey ended, I never put it back on. Gotten a black eye or two and a cut lip a couple times from it, but I'm now really considering a shield. There's some real dumbasses in some of the rec leagues I play in and losing my eyesight really isn't worth one of them.

[twolinepass 0]

I took my shield off and a few games later look a elbow in the face and ran into a player with a cage and now I have a scar on my chin. Now I wear a cage:D

[gxc999 7]

I took my shield off and a few games later look a elbow in the face and ran into a player with a cage and now I have a scar on my chin. Now I wear a cage:D

Yeah, that sucks. Some dude's cage scratched and cut up my left elbow pretty good a couple years back. Didn't wear elbow pads playing roller. BTW, I always swear by my fishbowl. It saved me a half dozen teeth and broken nose last week after I got tripped into the boards.

[Speedz98 15]

Yeah, that sucks. Some dude's cage scratched and cut up my left elbow pretty good a couple years back. Didn't wear elbow pads playing roller. BTW,  I always swear by my fishbowl. It saved me a half dozen teeth and broken nose last week after I got tripped into the boards. 

fishbowl ftw

[tro 4]

I don't want to get into a visor and cage debate, but how can you not wear protection over the eyes when there are sticks, elbows and pucks flying around. Some would say the same about the mouth/jaw, but to not cover your eyes, I think is nuts.

[Brian Harte 1]

Over the last year, I've been hit in the cage with a real SOLID high stick at least 5 times. As much as I don't like wearing it, the cage is going to stay.

[shoeshine boy 242]

I don't want to get into a visor and cage debate, but how can you not wear protection over the eyes when there are sticks, elbows and pucks flying around. Some would say the same about the mouth/jaw, but to not cover your eyes, I think is nuts.

agreed. I have 2 words for the folks who wear NO protection at all: Steve Yzerman.

[Scotty 8]

Anyone have any experience with the new Hejduk shields?

[lampliter87 8]

Run a search, there have been a couple threads about them.

[edinburghcaps! 0]

you feel pretty crap if you hit someone in the face with the puck! especially if its a team mate at training.

[Chadd 916]

Run a search, there have been a couple threads about them.

And a full long term review.

[CharlesC 0]

My cages look horribly dented and scratched. I have no reason to believe that those dents would not have been serious bruises or be scars on my face right now.

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I'm blind in my right eye, so my eye doctor cringes enough when he hears I'm still playing hockey, even with a cage.

[zachary 2]

Just a choice if you want to wear one or not. I would fall under the youngin who just wants to wear one. Noting that I've been hit in the face 3 times in the 2 summers I've used one. Most recently it's been twice this summer, one time about 2 months ago I was about 5 feet behind a kid and his followthrough somehow caught me in the mouth. Didn't lose any teeth but I got 2 big bacterial ulcers which were painful for 2 weeks. Next one was at my college teams summer skate and I got shouldered in the jaw. I thought I lost some teeth but just got a nice swollen lip and some bleeding. Other then that my visor is scratched up like crazy from sticks that have made their way to my face. Do I think it was worth it to wear one? No but I enjoy it more then a full cage.

[Steve_v3 289]

Just before my game last week I wiped off my visor and set it on the bench. It somehow rubbed against the concrete block wall and got scratched all to hell in two minutes or less. I ended up playing without one for the first time in a long time and was really cautious.

I ruined a shield a hour before leaving to play pickup one time. I called a buddy & asked if he had an extra one. He said sure & would bring it. He shows up and he had totally forgot about it. So I had to play without it that once. I know exactly how it feels.

[Aussie Joe 0]

In my league anyone born after 1975 has to wear a visor. This rule was bought in about 8 years ago. So I only had two years of being able to wear no visor and now have to wear one, minimum. I'm used to it and when I play with newbies they have hit me in the shield a few times, I'm thankful in those respects. I have 4 scars from pucks/sticks under the visor or below its level of protection. It doesn't make me wanna wear a cage again because they pong after a while and block vision. I play contact so its important I can see the elbow coming at my head. I block shots and have been taught how to do it properly to minimise exposure to the biscuit.

[Kiernan97 0]

Just a choice if you want to wear one or not. I would fall under the youngin who just wants to wear one. Noting that I've been hit in the face 3 times in the 2 summers I've used one. Most recently it's been twice this summer, one time about 2 months ago I was about 5 feet behind a kid and his followthrough somehow caught me in the mouth. Didn't lose any teeth but I got 2 big bacterial ulcers which were painful for 2 weeks. Next one was at my college teams summer skate and I got shouldered in the jaw. I thought I lost some teeth but just got a nice swollen lip and some bleeding. Other then that my visor is scratched up like crazy from sticks that have made their way to my face. Do I think it was worth it to wear one? No but I enjoy it more then a full cage.

haha yea that one at our skate was brutal with the kid with his head down

[tareatingrat 4]

I don't think I could ever play without my cage anymore.

Hell, I forgot to wear my neck guard for a pick up game once and I was more cautious.

[McDougalfaschnitzer 32]

I have no problem playing with a cage after taking a puck to the eye. :p

[jjleip11 0]

Even wearing a half-shield will protect the bottom of your face somewhat from sticks. Pucks...not so much.

I've been an eye doc for seven years now, and played hockey for long before that. Seen MANY an eye injury that could've been avoided by wearing face protection. I can totally understand how some people just can't get used to cages/shields, but that's a big risk to take with your eyes. You can repair teeth and broken bones. Eyes are pretty much worthless if damaged enough. Just ask Al MacInnis.