strongbow
05-24-2008, 01:37 PM
After a year of playing with a Mage 2 I can finally feel qualified to share my views of this mask especially after this past Thursday nights game (more on that later).
I purchased this mask after a seven year retirement before which I had used a Van Velden which had served me well.
First impressions were that it was a bit odd looking but when I put it on I could see why so many guys have become believers. The sight lines were incredible and it was so easy to speak through which is important to me because I'm very vocal in the net. I love the way that it sits away from the face but doesn't feel like it's constantly shifting which I thought might be a problem when I ordered it. I don't necessarily find it any cooler than my old mask but it isn't any hotter either.
Now on to the most important part ... protection (this is where last Thursday comes in). I was filling in on a team which I have played with quite a bit in the past (low A or high B calibre) anyways decent hockey. We're in the third period and it suddenly gets strange, the winger steps in and from the top of the circle wires one which proceeds to hit me smack in the melon ... no ringing, no pain, no problem. The puck clears the zone and when it comes back in same thing but different shooter, winds up, kaboom right in the jaw this time shearing of one of the mask screws this time with about 5 seconds of ringing but no pain, no problem. Next series faceoff in our zone which we lose cleanly it goes to the winger who somehow was wide open for a one timer at the hash marks I come out butterfly and kaboom right between the eyes. At this point the ref blows the whistle cause he thinks I'm dead, no ringing, no pain, no problems. Next series winger comes in from the side (you know what's coming don't you) and yup right in the jaw shearing the other lower mask screw. I finish the game with no lower hardwear on the cage, no concussion, the ability to laugh about the strangest night I think I've ever had playing goal and a whole new respect for my Mage 2.:D
If you can get over the look of this mask (which grows on you after a while) I think that you'll be more than happy with this quality piece of equipment, I know I am.:)
I purchased this mask after a seven year retirement before which I had used a Van Velden which had served me well.
First impressions were that it was a bit odd looking but when I put it on I could see why so many guys have become believers. The sight lines were incredible and it was so easy to speak through which is important to me because I'm very vocal in the net. I love the way that it sits away from the face but doesn't feel like it's constantly shifting which I thought might be a problem when I ordered it. I don't necessarily find it any cooler than my old mask but it isn't any hotter either.
Now on to the most important part ... protection (this is where last Thursday comes in). I was filling in on a team which I have played with quite a bit in the past (low A or high B calibre) anyways decent hockey. We're in the third period and it suddenly gets strange, the winger steps in and from the top of the circle wires one which proceeds to hit me smack in the melon ... no ringing, no pain, no problem. The puck clears the zone and when it comes back in same thing but different shooter, winds up, kaboom right in the jaw this time shearing of one of the mask screws this time with about 5 seconds of ringing but no pain, no problem. Next series faceoff in our zone which we lose cleanly it goes to the winger who somehow was wide open for a one timer at the hash marks I come out butterfly and kaboom right between the eyes. At this point the ref blows the whistle cause he thinks I'm dead, no ringing, no pain, no problems. Next series winger comes in from the side (you know what's coming don't you) and yup right in the jaw shearing the other lower mask screw. I finish the game with no lower hardwear on the cage, no concussion, the ability to laugh about the strangest night I think I've ever had playing goal and a whole new respect for my Mage 2.:D
If you can get over the look of this mask (which grows on you after a while) I think that you'll be more than happy with this quality piece of equipment, I know I am.:)