Who here actually plays hockey?

[WeAreNDHockey]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey? (but sometimes wonders if he should)

Re: Who here actually plays hockey? (but sometimes wonders if he should)

Missed my first game due to injury. MCL sprain of my left knee Saturday night, late in the second period. Probably shouldn't have played the third period Missed Sunday's game. I "coached" instead. Meaning I stood behind my teammates on the bench and made fun of them. But we won. So I guess that makes me 1-0 as a coach. If I was with the New Jersey Devils that would get my fired and 2 months later we win the Stanley Cup.

 

[gscott13]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I think you got your dollar signs backwards there. An average composite stick goes for about $80-100. The last time I replaced skate blades it only ran $50 installed. Oh, and if you're the sort to casually browse them, you'll see that the top end composite sticks go from $200 on sale to $260. That's on par with a decent pair of skates these days, last year's top end line and such. Craziness.

i use a composite two piece stick so i was able to buy a replacement blade... and was fortunate to find the blade/pattern i use on sale for about 30% off of the approx. $60 list price, hence the single $... stopped buying the uber expensive one piece sticks after breaking 3 in about a four week span...

new steel is going to be about $60 with some new rivets for the housing... of course the bauers i am looking at are about $450

 

[brianvf]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I just got my skates repaired as well. Wasn't too bad, cheaper than I expected.

I think I'm about done with the one-piece composites as well. I've broken my fair share, and I certainly wouldn't classify myself as hard on my sticks. Hard on my sticks? That sounded bad.
About ready to go back to the two-piece sticks as well...

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

i use a composite two piece stick so i was able to buy a replacement blade... and was fortunate to find the blade/pattern i use on sale for about 30% off of the approx. $60 list price, hence the single $... stopped buying the uber expensive one piece sticks after breaking 3 in about a four week span...

new steel is going to be about $60 with some new rivets for the housing... of course the bauers i am looking at are about $450

Either I've had bad luck with two-piece sticks or it's all in my head. I feel like the blade is rattling around down there, and it just irritates me. At any rate, I went through three sticks in the last 18 months. The most I'll pay for a stick is $100, and that's only if I really can't find anything comparable for less. To that end, my problem is that I don't like a lot of curve on the blade, the stick has to be stiff - using a 102 flex now - and the lie should be a 5. Right now the only company I can find meeting those requirements for a semi reasonable price is Bauer. So I'm using a Vapor X:40, 102 flex, PM9 blade.

$450 for the Bauer's, are those last year's Total One line?

 

[gscott13]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

$450 for the Bauer's, are those last year's Total One line?

2010 bauer flexlite pro 4.0s

as for the two piece rattling... i've had it happen too... when i install the blade i load up on glue and put a couple of strips of cloth tape on the part of the blade that goes into the shaft... a little clear tape around the joint when i am through and it holds up pretty well...

 

[dubbie31]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I have actually officially retired from playing hockey. When you lack an ACL and PCL - that is usually a good sign that it is time to stop.

Played in some way, shape or form from the time I was 4 until this year.

 

[SteveP]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I have actually officially retired from playing hockey. When you lack an ACL and PCL - that is usually a good sign that it is time to stop.

Played in some way, shape or form from the time I was 4 until this year.

I hear ya Dubbie. My gear is still in the attic. I've missed the first 10 weeks of olefartz hockey - not because of injuries, but just a lack of enthusiasm. I suppose that can be expected after 51 years of lacing them up each winter.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Noticed something on my new blade today while retaping it... It seems that the clear coat along the top of the blade is chipped off and cracked... Same thing, although not as extensive, along the toe of the blade... Just one small spot on the face is chipped as well... Is this normal? The blade has only been used for a few drop-in sessions... The only reason I noticed it was because the tape got cut while playing last time and I noticed small shards of the clear coat coming off with the old tape... is this something that I should be concerned about? Any tips for dealing with Easton's warranty department if that is the case?

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Noticed something on my new blade today while retaping it... It seems that the clear coat along the top of the blade is chipped off and cracked... Same thing, although not as extensive, along the toe of the blade... Just one small spot on the face is chipped as well... Is this normal? The blade has only been used for a few drop-in sessions... The only reason I noticed it was because the tape got cut while playing last time and I noticed small shards of the clear coat coming off with the old tape... is this something that I should be concerned about? Any tips for dealing with Easton's warranty department if that is the case?

It's normal, unfortunately. It doesn't impact the performance.

As for the toe of the blade, it's likely from digging a puck off from the boards. Wood sticks wear down along the toe, too, but it looks a little different. I started combatting the toe chipping by wrapping a single layer of tape along the edge of the toe before taping the rest of the blade. It doesn't stop everything, but it helps. As for the rest of the blade, you're either receiving or intercepting hard passes, or trying to take slap or snap shots. The impact of both actions will chink the finish.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

The tongue of my right skate broke today. I set my foot into the skate and thought that the tongue folded down a bit. I then grabbed the tongue with my hand and give a little tug. The next thing I know the tongue is in my hand at eye level, and all my teammates are rolling. I ended up setting it back into the skate, lined it up so that the lace grooves matched up with the laces, and played the game. I actually skated a decent game.

I'm going to George's in the morning. I have an eyelet that needs repair too. I just never expected the freaking tongue to simply pull out. And in case you're wondering, it's just glued in there. Hopefully George's has a strong bonding substance than whatever frail old horse was used to make the original glue.

 

[XYZ]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I'm going to George's in the morning. I have an eyelet that needs repair too. I just never expected the freaking tongue to simply pull out. And in case you're wondering, it's just glued in there. Hopefully George's has a strong bonding substance than whatever frail old horse was used to make the original glue.

How did it go? I love that place and have yet to encounter a problem they can't fix. The fact they had a size 16 bauer blade on hand and fixed my skate overnight a couple years ago astounded me. Their customer service is beyond reproach and those guys will remember specific things I talked to them about months ago. Only place I'll get my skates sharpened, too. The son with the curly hair does an incredible job. Then again, there aren't too many local businesses like that still open in that they proudly refer to themselves as third generation cobblers. Best I can tell their reputation exists for a reason.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

How did it go? I love that place and have yet to encounter a problem they can't fix. The fact they had a size 16 bauer blade on hand and fixed my skate overnight a couple years ago astounded me. Their customer service is beyond reproach and those guys will remember specific things I talked to them about months ago. Only place I'll get my skates sharpened, too. The son with the curly hair does an incredible job. Then again, there aren't too many local businesses like that still open in that they proudly refer to themselves as third generation cobblers. Best I can tell their reputation exists for a reason.

I'll let you know come Saturday, that's when I'm picking up the skate. Their hours don't suit me normally, I'm 8:30 - 5:00 in Minneapolis and they're 8:00-5:30 during the week, but I've had Tuesday mornings off work the last few weeks, burning PTO and sleeping in after late night Monday hockey.

 

[jen]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

just when my hockey enthusiasm was very low... I had a goal (in my "co-ed" league, where I'm lucky if I handle the puck). yay. we lost, though.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

How did it go? I love that place and have yet to encounter a problem they can't fix. The fact they had a size 16 bauer blade on hand and fixed my skate overnight a couple years ago astounded me. Their customer service is beyond reproach and those guys will remember specific things I talked to them about months ago. Only place I'll get my skates sharpened, too. The son with the curly hair does an incredible job. Then again, there aren't too many local businesses like that still open in that they proudly refer to themselves as third generation cobblers. Best I can tell their reputation exists for a reason.

George's did a good job. They forgot to replace a rivet, but took care of it in just a couple minutes when I mentioned it. I'd recommend the place. $22 for the tongue to get sewn back into the boot, and the single rivet replaced.

just when my hockey enthusiasm was very low... I had a goal (in my "co-ed" league, where I'm lucky if I handle the puck). yay. we lost, though.

Congrats!

 

[jen]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I've been using wooden stick blades, and I finally switched to composite after breaking enough of them. Hoping it's a little sturdier. A little pricey, though - I commented to a friend that I didn't want to switch to one piece sticks, and she said she gets blades replaced on her one piece sticks. That doesn't seem like it would work to me, but I guess it's the same theory as a two piece stick, depending on where it breaks. Anyone else do that with one piece sticks?

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

I've been using wooden stick blades, and I finally switched to composite after breaking enough of them. Hoping it's a little sturdier. A little pricey, though - I commented to a friend that I didn't want to switch to one piece sticks, and she said she gets blades replaced on her one piece sticks. That doesn't seem like it would work to me, but I guess it's the same theory as a two piece stick, depending on where it breaks. Anyone else do that with one piece sticks?

It depends upon the brand of the stick as to whether or not you can replace the blade on the stick. Bauer sticks cannot have the blade replaced because of how the stick tapers towards the blade. I'd ask the local hockey shop guy before buying a one-piece stick.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

New skates may be in my near future. Bad sharpen led me to examine the steel and it appears warped on at least one skate and I think both. Could be a mounting issue. Boots are in good condition but... I might need to indulge here and get new skates because I just want to.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

If you're going to go, go big.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

If you're going to go, go big.

Ha... at my weight that would be wasted money. I'm probably down near the One80/One70 range with Stealth S12s and X:40s in the mix.

It's ridiculous what these high end skates are costing now though. And they wonder why it's a dying sport in many places with these skates and their $200 sticks that break easily. However, there are some good values to be had out there if you know enough.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Unless they are good enough to be given those skates, I can't imagine anyone getting $800 skates.