Sprawl
05-28-2007, 04:00 PM
The one piece of equipment i had never upgraded since playing Goal was my Chest And Arms. To me, This was not an integral and vital piece of protection, and any piece of foam and cloth would have done the trick. In my experiences with low level pick up hockey, There just wasn't enough high shots with any real force on them to have made a difference.
Then came the GSBB. I started doing the Toronto Clinics and facing some howitzers of shots. I learned how to save shots. I upgraded my skill and started facing more intense shooters regularly. My pickup games started getting more intense and shooters started aiming higher.
Thats when i noticed that most shots hurt. I had bruises covering my biceps, elbows and a few on my chest. Finally one week i had no less than 10 good size bruises on my arms, and one good welt on my rib cage.
Time to visit my good friends up at The Goalie Crease. I made the drive up there and immediately couldn't find them! had to scope around till i found their brand new store. First, I must review the Crease.
The Goalie Crease
The Goalie Crease is absolutely a goalies idea of heaven. wall to wall and to wall pads, Gloves, skates, equipment. The colours, The smells. You know when you walk into this place you are home.
Unlike general purpose stores that carry SOME goalie gear from the big names, The crease is stocked full with everything. I spent over an hour walking around, Talking to Roon's and Rod about everything hockey. Showing eachother our equipment. Tips. Tricks. Opinions. These folks don't just sell it. THEY KNOW IT!
after talking about my needs, We started trying on C/A's and finding just what i wanted. At the end of the day, I left the store a little poorer, But with a top notch C/A, More knowledge in my head, and probably one of the Best skate sharpenings I Have ever had.
If you're looking for the best store for professionalism, Quality, and Respect. There is none better than the crease.
Itech Prodigy Pro Chest And Arms
Back to my story. I can not explain to you how misguided i was about the importance of a C/A. Let a picture speak a thousand words
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/lordvic/IMG_0549.jpg
This is the C/A I have used since i started playing hockey. No elbow padding. simple foam shoulder floaters and shoulder caps. That is basically it. No mid body wrap around. the back itself is a joke and is only a simple 1" thick piece of cloth.
So after advice and looking at prices, I have upgraded to...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/lordvic/IMG_0551.jpg
Now to the Juicy stuff....
Weight: This is definitely a heavier C/A Than i was used to. it felt like the equivelant of moving from a Ferrari to a Hummer. it just felt big and heavy. I was very concerned at first that it would be too much for me to handle.
Build Quality: Superb. Not a stitch out of place, Not a loose piece of velcro. A well manufactured piece of equipment.
Flexibility: Initially, Almost none. the first couple times wearing it I couldn't bend my elbos because the eblow blocks were huge and didn't flex. I couldn't reach my head and pull on my Skull cap because the shoulder floaters and elbows just kept blocking me. However within the first 10 wears, this got easier and easier and while it still feels stiff and heavy, it is not restricting my movement in anyway.
Protection: Pretty good. I have not received any stingers or bruises from any shot yet. I have felt some good hard slappers that thudded into my chest, But i was not winded nor in pain. Arm protection is great. The seams are well out of the way so that all protective surfaces are in the right places.
Overall feel: First few times it was stiff, and it felt like i was wrapped in a thick blanket. Breathing was a little difficult and i sweat like crazy in it. The breathing on this unit isn't bad, But could be better. You will get hot in this thing and sweat a lot. however the protection is definatley there. I wear it tucked in and right against my stomach so there really isnt' much room for airflow.
I definately recommend this C/A as a good upgrade over any senior equipment.
And I definately recommend going to the crease for all your goalie needs.
Then came the GSBB. I started doing the Toronto Clinics and facing some howitzers of shots. I learned how to save shots. I upgraded my skill and started facing more intense shooters regularly. My pickup games started getting more intense and shooters started aiming higher.
Thats when i noticed that most shots hurt. I had bruises covering my biceps, elbows and a few on my chest. Finally one week i had no less than 10 good size bruises on my arms, and one good welt on my rib cage.
Time to visit my good friends up at The Goalie Crease. I made the drive up there and immediately couldn't find them! had to scope around till i found their brand new store. First, I must review the Crease.
The Goalie Crease
The Goalie Crease is absolutely a goalies idea of heaven. wall to wall and to wall pads, Gloves, skates, equipment. The colours, The smells. You know when you walk into this place you are home.
Unlike general purpose stores that carry SOME goalie gear from the big names, The crease is stocked full with everything. I spent over an hour walking around, Talking to Roon's and Rod about everything hockey. Showing eachother our equipment. Tips. Tricks. Opinions. These folks don't just sell it. THEY KNOW IT!
after talking about my needs, We started trying on C/A's and finding just what i wanted. At the end of the day, I left the store a little poorer, But with a top notch C/A, More knowledge in my head, and probably one of the Best skate sharpenings I Have ever had.
If you're looking for the best store for professionalism, Quality, and Respect. There is none better than the crease.
Itech Prodigy Pro Chest And Arms
Back to my story. I can not explain to you how misguided i was about the importance of a C/A. Let a picture speak a thousand words
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/lordvic/IMG_0549.jpg
This is the C/A I have used since i started playing hockey. No elbow padding. simple foam shoulder floaters and shoulder caps. That is basically it. No mid body wrap around. the back itself is a joke and is only a simple 1" thick piece of cloth.
So after advice and looking at prices, I have upgraded to...
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b17/lordvic/IMG_0551.jpg
Now to the Juicy stuff....
Weight: This is definitely a heavier C/A Than i was used to. it felt like the equivelant of moving from a Ferrari to a Hummer. it just felt big and heavy. I was very concerned at first that it would be too much for me to handle.
Build Quality: Superb. Not a stitch out of place, Not a loose piece of velcro. A well manufactured piece of equipment.
Flexibility: Initially, Almost none. the first couple times wearing it I couldn't bend my elbos because the eblow blocks were huge and didn't flex. I couldn't reach my head and pull on my Skull cap because the shoulder floaters and elbows just kept blocking me. However within the first 10 wears, this got easier and easier and while it still feels stiff and heavy, it is not restricting my movement in anyway.
Protection: Pretty good. I have not received any stingers or bruises from any shot yet. I have felt some good hard slappers that thudded into my chest, But i was not winded nor in pain. Arm protection is great. The seams are well out of the way so that all protective surfaces are in the right places.
Overall feel: First few times it was stiff, and it felt like i was wrapped in a thick blanket. Breathing was a little difficult and i sweat like crazy in it. The breathing on this unit isn't bad, But could be better. You will get hot in this thing and sweat a lot. however the protection is definatley there. I wear it tucked in and right against my stomach so there really isnt' much room for airflow.
I definately recommend this C/A as a good upgrade over any senior equipment.
And I definately recommend going to the crease for all your goalie needs.