Montreal Nitro 8500 OPS

[sc37 0]

Picked up a used one from a member here. I use it for the first time after sitting on it for quite a while. I love the way it feels. I think the flex is a bit stiff, but I was getting good lift on my wristers with the neutral faced blade.

The blade is different from most sticks, almost feels like ABS except stiff as steel. I wouldn't know it wasn't plastic if not the for price. Blade feels pretty dead too (not in feel, in passes). I can take a full speed pass with stiff hands and the puck will only jump a bit on me.

The finish isn't grippy, nor is it smooth. Definitely not like sandpaper as some people say unless we're talking 1000 grit. The whole stick is a matte finish and the dark blue shaft transitions to black at the taper and carries into the blade (meaning people don't need to paint the bottom 1/4 of the shaft).

Feels like cardboard and plastic in your hands but performs like a $150 stick on the ice.

I love it and I only paid $35. Definitely a nice look amongst all of the Easton, CCM and other flashy sticks at the rink.

I'd agree with that...picked mine up here cheap too. Used it for like a year+ till it broke. Found it was a true one piece after I snapped it. Wouldn't mind getting my hands on some more or some new ones.

Anyone have lie info on these sticks? I have a Nitro Lite Red with what I think is the SK pattern. Got at a a team equipment sale. It looks like a 5.5 or 6.

Think that's a Sakic? 5.5 ish lie with a rocker.

[TBLfan 25]

I would love to try out a montreal stick, I hear fantastic things about them... especially their woodies.

[topshelf11 0]

I once broke my stick back in the woodie days and borrowed a teammate's Montreal.I loved it, but he wouldn't sell it to me and couldn't remember where he got it. I called a few places and they told me they didn't carry Montreal, as it was a "low-end" brand.

My buddy just bought one of the new OPS, and really likes it. Light, stiff blade, and he can really shoot the puck with it. I have never seen him get so much velocity on a onetime slapper.

It was expensive, but it has a 60 day warranty.

[Hockeydog 8]

Think that's a Sakic? 5.5 ish lie with a rocker.

Does the Sakic have an open toe like the SK? I have not really looked at a Sakic so I'm asking, but the 5.5 lie sounds about right. Anyone know if Montreal has any blades with a 5 lie?

[sc37 0]

Yeah Sakic is open...Montreal has a MD, SK, and LD curve for Modano, Lidstrom, Sakic.

[cause4alarm 7]

As Rustpot says, this shaft doesn't have a sticky/tacky grip coating. Instead it has a sandy-feeling finish.

My former teammate had one of these and I remember him complaining that even the regular flex was way too stiff for him.

(Does anybody really care about this thread anymore?)