Who here actually plays hockey?

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Maybe it's different cultures, but down here in Chicago, full pads are required in every rec league... Every shop around here sells at least one set of "nothing" shoulder pads... Basically they are made of the same material as an old school catcher's chest protector... They really offer no protection, but it's an alternative to the football style pads...

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Maybe it's different cultures, but down here in Chicago, full pads are required in every rec league...

Probably a good idea for all you benders...






Safety first!

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

They do make padded hockey shirts. I've never worn them so I don't know what they feel like, but it might be something to look into instead of shoulder pads. I personally can't stand wearing shoulder pads during pick-up games. Way too hot.

Yes there are some great padded hockey shirts out there that will give some protection without being bulky and you won't have any movement restrictions like a normal shoulder pad would. Given the mention of a shot to the sternum, I would suggest Mission Elite or Pro shirts that have some good protection in the sternum area and the new CCM RBZ one looks decent for this protection as well.

Given the amount of meathead hacks in my league (myself included), not to mention my stupid reaction to jump in front of pucks, I don't screw around and go with full shoulders.

 

[icehawk]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Yeah nobody I know wears shoulder pads.

Shin pads, cup, elbow pads, and my vintage Jofa helmet and I'm ready to roll.

 

[jen]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Given the amount of meathead hacks in my league (myself included), not to mention my stupid reaction to jump in front of pucks, I don't screw around and go with full shoulders.

Exactly. Even if you control what you do, you can't control what Jimmy Blowhard or Susie Disgruntled Former Pee Wee Star does, and people can be very stupid.

 

[jen]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

First game last week since the concussion in March. Sucked more than usual. um, how do I play defense again? (I've been going to pickup... there's no defense there) It didn't help that they put me at center, which I haven't played regularly in a couple years. But I'm ready this week! Ha.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Tonight (last night, by the time most of you read this) we had a guy who wasn't playing up to his normal level during our weekly pickup game. He had the puck stolen from his stick, and a few other things that can irritate a player. Well, he got so irritated that he actually left the rink about 20 minutes early. He got irritated by his lousy play during a pickup game. I've only seen anything happen like that once before in the ten years since I came back to playing the game. Unbelievable. The best part of this was that when he left the rink he forgot to grab a key to the locker room. He came back to the bench, and one of the guys calls out, "I love you!" to him. It might be one of those you-had-to-be-there moments in order to really appreciate it, but it broke the tension around him and got him to smile. The guy didn't even show up at the bar after the game. So weird.

 

[jen]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

It warms my heart that when I went to pickup in the middle of a winter storm last Monday, there were at least 16 other people dumb enough to do the same thing.

So I joined a friend's co-ed team, since I wanted to keep it low-key this season. I should've realized that I'm a lot more likely to get injured in a D-league game than with the high-level guys in the league I was in before that, because some of those meatheads can barely control themselves when they skate.

Tonight (last night, by the time most of you read this) we had a guy who wasn't playing up to his normal level during our weekly pickup game. He had the puck stolen from his stick, and a few other things that can irritate a player. Well, he got so irritated that he actually left the rink about 20 minutes early. He got irritated by his lousy play during a pickup game. I've only seen anything happen like that once before in the ten years since I came back to playing the game. Unbelievable. The best part of this was that when he left the rink he forgot to grab a key to the locker room. He came back to the bench, and one of the guys calls out, "I love you!" to him. It might be one of those you-had-to-be-there moments in order to really appreciate it, but it broke the tension around him and got him to smile. The guy didn't even show up at the bar after the game. So weird.

ha! does it count that I've WANTED to do that? I spend most of my time on the ice swearing at myself. But... if I didn't get over it quickly when I **** up, I would've quit, oh... 15 years ago. He must've been having a bad day.

 

[icehawk]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

The Second Hand Snipers are your 9th Annual Lord Benny Cup Pond Champs. Finally get my name on the Cup.
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[pgb-ohio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

It warms my heart that when I went to pickup in the middle of a winter storm last Monday, there were at least 16 other people dumb enough to do the same thing.

Years ago I did the same thing on a night with 11 inches of fresh snow. Our numbers weren't as good, but we did play and I made some long-lasting friendships.

So I joined a friend's co-ed team, since I wanted to keep it low-key this season. I should've realized that I'm a lot more likely to get injured in a D-league game than with the high-level guys in the league I was in before that, because some of those meatheads can barely control themselves when they skate.

So true, and something that everyone who takes the ice should understand. Perhaps even more importantly, players with enough experience bring an appropriate level of intensity to a pick-up game, meaning low. But for the D-league hacks, this is their shot at the Stanley Cup.

ha! does it count that I've WANTED to do that? I spend most of my time on the ice swearing at myself. But... if I didn't get over it quickly when I **** up, I would've quit, oh... 15 years ago. He must've been having a bad day.

Totally understand. Having that feeling on an off-night isn't weird at all. Acting on it is a little off the wall, of course. Which I presume is St. Clown's real point.

Good stuff!

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Totally understand. Having that feeling on an off-night isn't weird at all. Acting on it is a little off the wall, of course. Which I presume is St. Clown's real point.

Good stuff!

And that's just it. I've known this guy for 10 years now, all through playing hockey. He's had bouts of frustration before - we all have, like you said - but he's never left a game early because of them. I could see him getting frustrated earlier in the game, started joking with him a little (okay, a lot) about some stupid things happening on the ice that night. Every time we have that conversation it ends with, "But hey, it's only pickup," then we laugh it off for the next shift. For whatever reason, that didn't go as normal.

 

[GoBucky36]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Adult drop-in very Tuesday and Thursday morning for me. Its one of the few benefits of working nights.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

OW-EEEE....


Had a huge open ice collision last night the likes of which I haven't had in many years.

Was skating towards our slot and just as I was accelerating to get between an opponent and our net, he pivoted quickly to backwards right into my path.

BOOM!!!

We both went down.

He didn't see me coming and I wasn't braced. Took the contact to my chest and my wrists as my stick was held in front of me.

Most contact in hockey I don't even feel - even when I'm knocked down or get slashed or hit the boards.

I felt this one. Took me the whole shift and more to shake it off. My core hurt.

Was just getting over a wrist injury (from lifting) too and this is a setback. Don't believe I'll be able to bench today.

Shoulder, wrist and sacroiliac all hurt today.


Anyway... there's my wah wah story.


Makes me appreciate what my son and his teammates and their opponents are able to get up from and more importantly, be brave enough to endure over and over.

My kid is so much tougher than I ever was at his age.

 

[icehawk]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Tonight (last night, by the time most of you read this) we had a guy who wasn't playing up to his normal level during our weekly pickup game. He had the puck stolen from his stick, and a few other things that can irritate a player. Well, he got so irritated that he actually left the rink about 20 minutes early. He got irritated by his lousy play during a pickup game. I've only seen anything happen like that once before in the ten years since I came back to playing the game. Unbelievable. The best part of this was that when he left the rink he forgot to grab a key to the locker room. He came back to the bench, and one of the guys calls out, "I love you!" to him. It might be one of those you-had-to-be-there moments in order to really appreciate it, but it broke the tension around him and got him to smile. The guy didn't even show up at the bar after the game. So weird.

Now that is a hockey sin. Shame on him.

 

[jen]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I feel like Nick Papagiorgio. I really need a new bag, as the zipper's broken on mine and the pockets are falling apart. Started to look online (why do bags not have the single shoulder strap anymore?) and now I also need new gloves, shoulder pads, and maybe elbow pads. And before too long, new skates (although I don't want to think about that). I don't need any sticks though! But now that I've posted that, I'll probably break one.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Speaking of sticks, I just broke mine while blocking a shot the other week. Thankfully, I have three more backup sticks all of the same model in my basement. When I find a stick I like, I stock up on it during the annual clearance sales. It's been a while since I've purchased a new stick.

jen, where are you looking for bags? I just did a quick search on my usual sites, and even the standard carrying bags don't have shoulder straps. It must be because of all the kids using their wheeled bags and backpack bags.

 

[trixR4kids]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Yeah does anyone have a recommendation for a good durable bag. I'm a goalie but I'm not putting the leg pads in there and a normal sized player bag would prob suffice.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

While it's not "real" hockey...a few childhood friends and I are getting together this Saturday for a boot hockey "alumni" game. We used to play every Fri/Sat night at the local outdoor rink from early teens to mid-20s and beyond (where one of us was the warming house attendant for MORE than a few years running; hence, we had control of the rink). I'm really pumped for this, but also a bit concerned, as my body probably won't move the way it used to, and I really don't want to get injured (I'm a goalie). Haven't played in probably about 10 years, is my best guess.

The last time was a Patriots SB, I remember that much, and it was -20 real temp here in Mpls. My best guess is that is was the 2005 SB.

Either way...probably my last game, but it's worth it. Haven't seen some of these people (yes, some womenfolk played with us) in at least 6-7 years, and in one case (for sure) close to 20.

Edit: one night, a local HS real hockey team (JV) happened to be there to play some boot. We got a game going, us vs them. We were about 19-22 YO, so a little older. 10-0 was the final. We crushed them.

 

[icehawk]

Speaking of sticks, I just broke mine while blocking a shot the other week. Thankfully, I have three more backup sticks all of the same model in my basement. When I find a stick I like, I stock up on it during the annual clearance sales. It's been a while since I've purchased a new stick.

jen, where are you looking for bags? I just did a quick search on my usual sites, and even the standard carrying bags don't have shoulder straps. It must be because of all the kids using their wheeled bags and backpack bags.

I'm still a wood stick guy. Whenever I find Sher-Wood Coffey curve PMP sticks I snag them up. Unfortunately I'm down to only 2 left. Be heading down to the cities this weekend for my daughters college games against St Thomas. Hopefully I can find some more while I'm there.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I feel like Nick Papagiorgio. I really need a new bag, as the zipper's broken on mine and the pockets are falling apart. Started to look online (why do bags not have the single shoulder strap anymore?) and now I also need new gloves, shoulder pads, and maybe elbow pads. And before too long, new skates (although I don't want to think about that). I don't need any sticks though! But now that I've posted that, I'll probably break one.

Ha.

Funny, I did just buy some beautiful camo Easton shoulder pads. They are light as heck, prob sacrificing some protection but that is not a bad thing if it makes me think twice about stepping in front of shots at this point in my life.

I was just looking at bags maybe trying to get something that is nice and on clearance. The Eagle bags at HM looked interesting and they just had a 30% off code on there last week.

Laying off the sticks right now, I have a friggin pile that I still have in wrappers that I may never actually use. Although I am interested in trying a nexus and maybe changing my curve/lie to see if it helps me get pucks up and out easier.