synesthete's Personal Thread

[synesthete]

There are three types of Reebok palms: practice, pro, and game (also galled "game ready"). Practice is extremely bulky and very protective. Pro is slightly less bulky and slightly less protective. Game is the least protective of them all. Most of them you find in stores are game palms; you'll only find pro as custom. Practice you'll generally only find as custom from pros. Pros use the pro for games, practices for practice. Only us beer leaguers use game palms.

[synesthete]

Had a game last night but it was for my HNA league where I play as a winger. This season I have 6 goals, 12 assists, for 18 points in about 11 games (stat sheet is wrong). I also have 12 PIM.

Last night's game was a rough one. We're solidly in second place, but past the first line the skill goes down immensely. I was coming off a game on Saturday night that I completely dominated; we played the area's top women's team and I was playing on a friend's rag-tag group. The women's team could probably beat this HNA team I'm on, but my team is B4, which is pretty substandard. A couple teammates and I are obviously way above B4, but this team needed players so we got stuck on their roster. Hopefully next season I'll get on an A or B1 team as a goalie and a B1 or B2 team as a skater. Anyway, on Saturday I got 2 goals and basically skated around everyone. At the end of the game my skates were completely dull, so I got them sharpened.. bad idea. The guy I had sharpen them made them practically worse than they were in the first place. Terrible.

0 points, 12 PIM (Got a 10 for telling the ref he was terrible, which he was. Worst reffing I've experienced in a long time.)

Anyway, here are some pics.

Took the puck in the zone and held up waiting for my defense to catch up.


Puck just wrapped around the boards.


Taking a shot. Don't boo me; I didn't score.


This image is really funny...

While the image looks innocuous enough, there's a good story to it. Earlier in the period I took a shot that the goalie snagged. He then drops it at the side of the net, thinking his player would get it. But I'm pretty fast and got to him and just as he covers it with his glove I try to get my stick in there. He gets up and comes behind the net like he's going to fight me, so I face wash him while one of their scrubs comes over and tries to push me around and I just hold my ground. Goalie gets 2 for roughing, their scrub gets two for roughing, and I got 2 for slashing. Later in the period their player goes behind the net with the puck, so as I skate past I elbow the goalie's blocker a bit and he drops his stick and starts yelling out, "Hey, Ames, come over here! C'mon, Ames, come over!" So I did. When I got there -- when this picture was taken -- I said, "OK, now what are you going to do?" He replied, "Uhhh.. just talk." That's what I thought.

There are a lot of guys who have acted like they wanted to fight until I start shaking the gloves and say back, "Let's go, then." Absolutely none of them have taken the challenge. All bark, no fight in those pansies.

[synesthete]

So, a couple updates...

First, on the goalie front:

I've played just once in the last month. Right now, without a team, I've been reliant on stick 'n pucks, and I've missed the last four due to sick, work, work, and rain. Why rain? I go to stick and puck during my lunch break at work, and because I'm the first person here every day, I get the best parking spot. It was raining terribly yesterday and was expecting more storms, so I wasn't about to give up my beautiful parking spot (where I wouldn't get drenched). Plus, I have a game tonight, so I didn't want to take a chance getting hurt.

In the private scrimmage I did play this month, which was last Thursday, I had a lot of fun even though it was a little rocky. Being off for three weeks I was a bit rusty, but my movements felt good. The pucks that did go in found really weird holes, so I'm not too concerned. In the meantime, I replaced a few broken/missing clips/tighteners, cut off the sternum protector (I hate those things.. annoy the hell out of me, and the bounces are unpredictable), sewed the shoulder floaters so they were a bit tighter to my chest, and I'll also be cutting off the velcro that would normally keeps the extra inside layer of padding on the CA (makes me way too hot and is heavy, plus the open velcro scratches my face when I put on my CA). So I'm excited about trying out my modifications that should make it much more like my old CA.

Now, I have a game tonight as a skater. Championship game, part 2. I say "part 2" because it's double elimination, and the other team won last game 6-5 with a goal under two minutes left. Unfortunately our goalie is downright terrible. Not only does he often show up late (to the point that we intentionally send game day emails with the time a half an hour before the actual time to make sure he's there early) but he's fat. You know, the big fat goalie type who goes down and needs a Richard Simmons DVD to get back up. Perhaps even worse, he farts a lot in the locker room, which is unappealing. It's not good. It didn't help, either, that it was the second worse reffing I've seen all year. Interestingly, the two badly reffed games were the ones where the commissioner was in attendance. We don't think that's a coincidence. So we're hoping for better reffing tonight.

So, anyway, last game is tonight. This is likely my last game with this team (which they know), as I'll be moving up into higher levels as both a goalie and skater for next season. I (along with a couple other good guys) was put on this team so they would be competitive, but we're clearly at a higher skill level. I know one other guy will likely be moving up with me, as well. It was a fun time with this team, but it's time to move up and play with others who complement my skill level. I'd rather be mediocre in a great league than great in a mediocre league, but maybe that's just me. I enjoy the challenge more than the success.

I'll update soon on the outcome and what happens with the team situation.

[synesthete]

Well, we lost the championship game 4-2 (3-2, not including the empty net). I had an OK game, but the air was really weird. The last time I played in that rink I got really hot and took my undershirt off mid-game. This time my asthma was bugging the hell out of me, and it wasn't just me. One of my teammates, who runs ultramarathons (50+ miles), said the air was burning his lungs, too. Between shifts I was spitting out copious amounts of mucous while my throat burned. Really weird.

Anyway, the game went pretty well. It was 0-0 at the end of the first. In the second we put two quick goals in to make it 2-0, of which I had an assist on the second goal. But it was downhill from there. A few shifts later it was 2-2, and they scored another, incredibly easy wrap-around goal to make it 3-2. Unfortunately I made a mistake when we had the empty net and didn't aggressively charge the incoming forward since I didn't have anything to lose at that point. I had somehow forgotten there wasn't a goalie behind me and just kept backing in a bit and he took an easy shot to make it 4-2. Our goalie didn't do terribly.. he did, after all, stop like 34 shots. But the goals that did go in should have been stopped, so that's frustrating.

Kind of glad the season's over, although I had a lot of fun. I ended up with 6 goals and 15 assists in 14 games, good enough for a top 10 finish in points. Unfortunately that's a dip from #2/#3, where I was at the first half of the season, but unfortunately injuries and sickness riddled me a bit, and it didn't help that the addition of a few players watered down the talent level while the best guy on our team switched to left wing, which is where I play. Previously we had been on the same line, with him as RW and me as LW, but once he switched I generally stayed to LW on the second line since I'm completely ineffective at RW. Admittedly, I'm not a dominating player who can really control lines or dictate plays whatsoever; I'm a power forward with long, fast strides and can barrel through people, but I don't have great hands, and I tend to prefer very short shifts. My play is best to complement other people's skill, not necessarily dominate with my own, so playing on the second line with lesser talent really hurt my production.

That said, like I said in a previous post, I'll be changing teams next season. It appears as if I may have a goalie position lined up for A, and I'd like to add a LW position on a B1 or B2 team. Even though I may not put up as many points, I think it's more likely my skill level will be complemented there and find a little more overall production in terms of consistent offensive plays and defensive support. As I had said, I'd prefer to be a mediocre player in a great league than great in a mediocre league; I like the challenge.

More to come soon, hopefully.

[synesthete]

Well the other day I finally got back in net for the first time in about a month. It went... interestingly. My friend, who is also a goalie, invited me to play two scrimmages with some pick up teams. I played left wing the first night and got two assists against a relatively weak C1 team who was off to Toronto for the HNA championships. Then the next night I played in goal against a rather chippy pick-up/drop-in team who's "based" out of a local rink. Hour and a half, no breaks, just constant hockey.

Really, I have few thoughts about the game. The first is how friggin' long it was. I kept looking at the clock thinking, "Man, is this over yet?" An hour and a half is a long time to be standing there constantly seeing action. I barely got any water, as the only time I could get any was when my team would take it down to the other end, and I still had to be ready for a quick break back down to my end.

My glove was terrible. And not just a little terrible, but a lot terrible. I maybe -- maybe -- caught two pucks all night. I think there was only one or perhaps two goals that went glove side, but nonetheless the rest of the pucks were swatted away when they should have been caught. Had a weird one, too, where it hit my glove, went over my head, and bounced in the net. So, I need a new glove. I simply can't do a pro palm (feels like squeezing a clam), even if it's broken in perfectly. So I'm considering alternatives (Vaughn is not one of them). I'd like to try the two different Reebok breaks, but I haven't done that in years, so I'm hesitant.

Otherwise, the game was simply "ok." As I've referenced in my thread asking about Simmons equipment, my pants have been a problem, too. Simply too bulky, and the RBK knee pads I installed in them are terribly bulky, too. Fortunately the guy whom I sold my last pants with sewn-in Garth Snow game-used knee pads is willing to trade me straight up. Can't say enough about his generosity. He's getting practically brand new and even more protective pants than he's currently wearing, and I get back the pants and knee guards in which I felt most comfortable.

Anyway, that's about it. I need to definitely change pants/knee guards (done, pending shipping) and get a new glove. But at that rate I might just get a whole new set from Simmons. We'll see.

[caveman27]

I've only played on one men's league team with matching jerseys and socks. Numbers only, no name. Everyone had helmets, gloves and pants of non-matching colors.

[synesthete]

Some great and not-so-great news.

First, the great! Fortunately there's a lot of it...

- As I said in my last post, the guy whom I sold my old pants sent them back to me in exchange for my practically brand new Reebok pro pants (with attached P2 knee guards). I just found those pants too bulky and I was uncomfortable in them. So now I have my old comfy pants back. PLUS, I ended up picking up an already-broken-in pair of the newer pants, so I can always switch if I want to and not be too uncomfortable. I also picked up some Revoke thigh and knee guards, which are awesome, and I'm going to install them on my pads.
- An old teammate of mine, with whom I played this past winter in the advanced league, emailed me and wanted me to join his advanced team full time for the summer. Sweeeeeeet. I did OK with his team before.. they were in last/second-to-last place, but they're a good team and with competent goaltending they should be near the top. I plan to get them there.
- Just found out I did in fact get picked up by an A team for next winter HNA, so that's sweet, too. Glad to know I'm wanted and will be playing in an advanced league for the foreseeable future.

Now the bad...

- I was hoping to get a new set of PZ Premier IIIs, but the cost is just too high right now. Was hoping to get a good deal, but they still want $2400 for the set, which is incredibly high. I'm going to price shop around and see if there's anyone who's cheaper. If you happen to know, post it up!
- I played defense in a scrimmage last night and racked up a goal and six assists. While great, I woke up this morning with a very pulled/hurt abdominal muscle. Hoping it's not a hernia, but I'd think I would notice something like that. Still, it hurts, and I'll be playing tonight in the advanced league, and I still need to make a good impression.

I'll update later! Wish me luck!

[synesthete]

I'd like to title this post, "The Power of Pants." Yes, ladies and gentlemen: I'm back.

Finally, after six months of playing with brand new Reebok Pro pants with sewn in Premier II knee guards (review: Reebok Pro Spec Pants + Reebok Premier Knee Guards Co-Review), I'm finally back to being comfortable. That's not to say the set up wasn't good; in fact, quite the opposite: pants were light, extremely protective, and the knee guards were extremely protective, too. But it just didn't feel the same as my old stuff. So, as I wrote previously, I traded them to the guy I sold my old pants to for my old set up: Premier I pants (the first pro version made by Reebok) and my sewn in Garth Snow game-used knee/thigh guards. And it was awesome.

Immediately upon hitting the ice I could tell a difference. Due to the different strapping on my P3s (different from my P1s) it felt very loose, but that was fine and I would get used to it. But the feeling in the knee landing was completely different and was back to my comfort zone. While I felt it was very bulky before and I wasn't getting great rotation, I was back to it being very loose, very comfortable, and getting great rotation. Also, when I would jam my pads together and stand straight up (as I tend to do on weird angled shots from the side), with the old set up my pads would leave a large gap in the middle of the pads, and I got scored there a couple times in a scrimmage, and I wasn't happy with that whatsoever. I made a few saves last night with the new (old) set up and my pads were flush together, and made the saves perfectly.

And perfect, it was. We routed the other team like 9-0 or 10-0. Somewhere in there.. kind of lost count, and the score board was behind my in the third and I wasn't really paying attention. I only had to make maybe 10-15 saves, and I ended up with an assist, too. Nothing too difficult or flashy; just the way I like it. As I told a teammate afterward, "I like games like that. I became a goalie to look good, not stop pucks," haha! Funny enough, it's actually true. Only made one bad play, where I almost whiffed on a puck. Puck came down pretty fast and had a rushing forward barreling down.. I looked up, had NO ONE to pass to, bobbled it a bit, and finally just pushed it back behind my net/into the corner. Looked like a total sieve, but, hey, I still came out with the shutout. First one since retiring after college, so I'll take it.

Anyway, I also picked up a pair of used Reebok pro pants (a newer version, but not the pro spec ones you get retail) and some Revoke knee/thigh guards. I want to give them a whirl someday and see if the set up feels like my other pants. They would be much, much more protective (the Snow knee/thigh guards are barely protective at all, oddly enough, and necessitate using thigh boards to get extra protection). So I'll try to get in a drop in or pick up with the other set up and see how they do. It's nice to have options.

But, after months of the ordeal, I'm finally back to being comfortable in net, and it showed in my play and the score last night. Finally I feel like a real goalie again. It's about time.

[synesthete]

Shot this video with an 808 #11 keychain HD camera I got for $40 on Ebay. Great and small enough to shoot footage and cheap enough that if it breaks it's not a big deal. Since you can't see the lower angles, I have a wideview and fish eye lens coming in and will attach it and use it for the next game. I have another game tomorrow, but I don't know that it'll be delivered in time. Also, although it was shot in HD it seems the video would take me something ridiculous like 6 hours to upload it, so I bumped the quality down. I'll try to figure out different settings later.

This video is during a BHL advanced league game here in St. Louis. It's the best league around, although it's summer time so the skill/teams get a little more sporadic. My team got dominated. We have a TON of great players, but they gave up for whatever reason. There are also one or two lesser talented players, but this loss was a team effort.

Be aware there's some cussing in it, and includes a little commentary in the middle from between periods. Sound is a tad bit off, so sorry about that. And also I accidentally left in a few extraneous clips.. whoops. I'll get better as I edit more videos.

A tidbit about my playing style: you might notice (maybe.. given the straightforward angle) that I primarily used the fingers up approach and was MUCH more successful at catching pucks. The difference was pretty incredible. I'm going to start using it as much as possible.

[mash]

Reds walking right past your D most of the vid... no?