Easton EQ50 Hockey Stick

Easton’s SE16 stick offered the player one of the softest touches in the game with its Focus Weight Technology™.  A process that places weight in key areas in the blade and the shaft to improve the balance and feel.  Easton has built on this technology in the EQ50 stick.  The EQ50 will feature a fine-tuned, exposed weight system in the heel of the blade.  Redistributing the weight in the blade to the heel dampens the blade in the key impact section, allowing the player to cradle passes easier improving puck control.

Easton's Focus Weight Blade Technology

To offset this redistributed weight in the blade, Easton precisely adds weight to the end of the shaft.  Weight at the end of the shaft counter balances the blade for optimal swing weight.  This Focus Weight Technology™ delivers a truly balanced feeling stick with enhanced puck control.  And it gets even better.  The Easton EQ50 stick allows the player to customize the balance of the stick, by adding/subtracting removable weights in the end plug.  By adding/subtracting one or more of the 5g metal discs the player can fine-tune the balance of the stick to meet their preference.  As a guide Easton provides a chart on the stick to calculate the recommend number of disc based on the length of the stick.

Easton Focus Weight Shaft Technology

The rest of the Easton EQ50 stick is constructed of the highest level of materials and specs that Easton is know for.  Like Compression molding for a precise, consistent feel, Kevlar® wrapping for added durability, and Multi-Rib™ blade construction that ensures a stiff, accurate blade.

The Easton EQ50 hockey stick will be available for pre-sale at IceWarehouse.com and InlineWarehouse.com early September.

CCM U+ CL Ice Hockey Skate

CCM has re-amped and redesigned the U+ skates for the up coming season. Just in time for the holidays CCM will be releasing the new CCM U+ CL ice hockey skates.  One of the changes CCM has implemented is the fit of the U+ Crazy Light skates. CCM has increased the overall step in comfort of the skates by adding foams in the ankle and heel for a tighter heel pocket. Along with giving the forefoot a more relaxed fit. CCM has also added some embossments in the quarter panels to help enhance the step in comfort.  Before the higher level CCM skates were know for being very straight and vertical in the quarters, so these changes should really help improve that initial step-in comfort.

CCM has continued to use the U foam through out the quarter package, and added U foam in a couple of new places on the skate to give an improved 360 degree fit.  CCM has added the U foam in the tongue along with in the footbed, allowing for more custom molding in those areas.

This year CCM is also introducing the exhaust system made up by the tongue, footbed and outsole to function together as one  ”moisture exhaust system”.  This system will help keep the foot and boot dryer, improving the fit and keeping the skate light even late in the 3rd period.

CCM is also manufacturing the U+ CL skates in Canada, which should help ensure some great quality.  All and all looks like CCM has made some nice improvements to taking the U+ skates to the next level.

Bauer Supreme ONE100 LE Ice Skate

The Bauer Supreme LE ice skates will be available for pre-order at IceWarehouse.com early September.

Mission Axiom G7 Goalie Skates

When you see the Axiom G7 Goal Skate, it is obvious that Mission took a lot of time researching and developing the skate. Mission worked with several goalies to make a skate that  would conform to the roller hockey goalies style. The first and most noticeable innovation seen on this skate is the FrontLoad Chassis Technology. It may look like the skate is missing a wheel, but Mission purposely left this wheelout for a couple different reasons. First off, this gap provides an area for goalies to put their straps without getting caught in their wheels. More importantly, the FrontLoad Chassis Technology allows goalies to be more on the balls of their feet. In roller hockey, it is quite difficult to slide across the crease, so roller hockey goalies need to almost jump across their net and being on the balls of your feet makes this movement much easier.

The Axiom Goalie Skate sits on top of four 59mm Rink Rat Crossbar Goalie Wheels (XXX Grip 76A) with Mission ABEC 5 608 Bearings. Mission tested with both the 47mm and the 59mm wheel sizes, but goalies preferred the 59mm so Mission went with the popular vote. On the interior of these skates Mission has used their sublimated “Mission Haze” brushed nylon with foam pads in the ankle to make this skate incredibly comfortable. Cosmetically, they have designed this skate to fit right in with the rest of the Axiom line up so your getting an awesome looking skate.

The Mission Axiom G7 Goalie Skate is available for pre-sale now at InlineWarehouse.com and is scheduled to arrive in mid September.

Click here to order your Axiom Goalie Skate right now!

Through pool play we went 3-1, dropping only one game to the eventual Silver medalists. We went on to play our first playoff game against the Patriots, winning by a score of 5-2.  We went into the semifinals as the lower seed facing off against the Hustlers from Ontatio, Canada. After one period, we were down 1-3 with the lone goal coming from Matt “Che” Ward. We proved to be resilient, with goals from Steven Chaloupka and Josh Print in the final period we tied the game and sent it into overtime. I had a few key saves in overtime for our team before Kevin Middlekauf became the overtime hero with a rebound goal. The overtime victory in the semifinals set up the rematch against a tough Nor Cal Riot team that beat us 5-1 in pool play.

After losing Josh Print to work obligations and Charan Faucett to a broken foot in pool play, we were left with only 6 players in the championship game.  Charlie Delkeskamp picked up the slack defensively for us and helped hold the Riot scoreless after the first. A solid performance by the Riot goalie left the score 0-0 after one period. With about 3 minutes left in the final period, Mike Chaloupka won a key power-play faceoff back to Brian Costello who ripped a slap shot past the Riot goalie to give us the first lead of the game. In the final minute of the game, Brian Costello was able to slap a sloppy clearing attempt out of the air and put it past the Riot goalie, who was on his way to the bench for the extra attacker. This clinched the Men’s Gold title for Team IW!!!

Josh Print earned the Top Scorer honors for the tournament, with 11 goals and 5 assists, despite missing the final game.

Pool Play

6-1 W vs. The Happy Campers

5-3 W vs. The Frenchies

1-5 L vs. Nor Cal Riot

4-1 W vs. East Bay Hockey Club

Playoff

5-2 W vs. Patriots

Semifinal

4-3 OT W vs. Hustlers

Final

2-0 W vs. Nor Cal Riot

Mission Axiom T9 Roller Hockey Skate

Taking a look at the premier Axiom Skate, the Mission Axiom T9, will offer all the performance and comfort an advanced player will ever need.  For performance the T9 features Mission patented Hi-Lo wheel set-up, a combination of 76mm and 80mm wheels that excel in the corners and on the breakaway.  Mounted on the lightest frame available, the Mission Hi-Lo Magnesium.  Combined with the new Mission Swiss Limited Edition bearings and Rink Rat’s new Hornet Split wheels, this is sure to be one of the fastest set-ups out on the rink.  To control all this speed Mission has upgraded their Texallium outsole to offer a solid, durable platform.

Going inside the boot to take a look at the comfort, Mission has upgraded the liner to a new “Mission Haze” liner that offers great moisture wicking and a cool look.  The liner’s quick drying properties are accelerated by Mission’s new vented, felt tongue.  To increase the air -flow it has a nice 2-piece, contouring felt tongue that has holes through it.  As well, Mission has improved the overall fit of the skate with new, suppler ankle foam pads and slightly wider toe box.

Overall, the new 2011 Mission Axiom skate line will offer suppler liners and a wider, more accommodating toe box.  And of course a new look with very detailed, tattoo-like graphics.  Staying true to roller hockey, the Axiom skate line will offer great ventilation, durable extruded frames and side abrasion guards.

The 2011 Mission Axiom T9 roller skate will be available for pre-sale at InlineWarehouse.com mid August.

So based on this, I plan to post some blogs based strictly on personal opinion and let you guys know what equipment I or whoever is posting is excited about.

Starting it off, let’s talk about shoulder pads. I have been really impressed with the progression of shoulder pads. There are several companies that are doing excellent job on offering great protection without limiting mobility. Mobility has always been a key issue for me when selecting shoulder pads. This is probably the biggest selling point for me, and the first thing I look at. So there is no surprise that the pads I have selected are all pads that offer great mobility and still an advanced level of protection.

Easton earlier this year came out with the S19 shoulder pads. The S19 have a very lightweight feel that does not feel binding at all. I particularly like the three panel design with the perforated thin outer panels. Easton has also given the S19 shoulder pads a good size cut out between the arm and sternum. This allows for improved mobility especially crossing your arms across your body which happens often when stick handling.

Easton Stealth S19 Shoulder pads

Next up is the Warrior Projekt Shoulder pads. Warrior introduced the Projekt line a little while ago and I have been impressed by this line. I think it was a great contribution to the Warrior protective line. The Projekt has focused on the use of Zote foam to make the pads very light, and the Projekt Shoulder pads has done just that. The Zote foam works great for hockey equipment becuase it is light absorbs a ton of energy and in my opinion best of all it is not rigid.  Warrior has used almost a mesh like vest with their top of the line liner on the inside as the base of this pad with the protective pieces attached.  This base has given the pad a light airy feel. I also really like it when shoulder pads feature segmented bicep guards. This pad like all of the other pads I have chosen have segmented biceps, which allows for better arm movement and does not compromise protection.

Warrior Projekt Shoulder Pads

Finally, maybe my number one pick is the Bauer Vapor X60 shoulder pad. In my opinion there is a huge jump from the X40 to the X60 shoulder pad. The X60 offers exceptional mobility but definitely offers an advanced to pro level protection. It has a significant size and pad coverage leading one to think it will feel bulky or heavy.  Although, once you put it on you almost feel foolish for expecting that of this pad. Bauer has used several segmented panels that are allowed to over lap and move past each other ensuring great mobility and protection. A couple of the unique design features are the elastic lacing system inside the pad to determine how tight the chest panels are. This allows one to make the pad a little looser yet having the side fastened, which I prefer.  Another unique feature is the design of the shoulder cap and clavicle. Similar to the bicep guard they are designed to allow them to overlap allowing for arm movement without pushing the clavicle guard into your neck.

Bauer Vapor X60 Shoulder Pads

So there it is. I hope if you were looking on an opinion on shoulder pads you have what you need. Be sure to check out the rest of the shoulder pads on IceWarehouse.com.  There are plenty more excellent pads that did not make the list today, but might make yours.

The top-end model, the Thor EX1 skate, will come with the new Labeda Addiction Micro Hub wheels, making it one of the lightest roller hockey skates available.  The Tour Thor EX1 skate will retail for around $550.

The Thor ZX-9 roller hockey skate will come with the new Labeda Dynasty III Micro Hub wheels and retail for around $450.

A full review of both skates will be posted on InlineWarehouse.com come late June, 2010.

Tour Thor ZX9 Roller Hockey Skate

Pavelski using an Easton S19

To start it out we have Joe Pavelski. Many did not expect to see him among the upper goal scorers of the playoffs, despite his foreshadowing play during the olympics. Pav is leading the way with goals on the Sharks.  Netting even more goals than giants like, Heatley, and Marleau.  Pavelski, as you can see is using an Easton S19 stick, which matches he’s play perfectly.  The Easton S19 has an excellent quick and snappy shot release, but can also deliver deadly one-timers, as Pav has shown.

Cammalleri using an Easton SE16 stick

Next up we have Mike Cammalleri. Mike is also using an Easton stick, however he is using the slightly older but still very popular Easton SE16 stick.  Cammalleri excels in the quick give n’ go style play, and the Easton SE16 works great with this. Easton has designed the SE16 to be the “ultimate feel” stick in their line, perfect for touch passes, and one-timers.  The great feel helps give confidence when receiving passes to make that quick play on point.

Toews using a Warrior Dolomite Spyne DD stick

Here we have a nice visible shot of Toews stick, a Warrior Dolomite Spyne DD.  A fairly new stick that came out around mid-season this year.  The Dolo Spyne has a great feel, nice rounded corners and concave walls. The Dolo Spyne features a mid flex point to load more energy into the stick, and a slightly stiffer feel than the Dolo DD stick.  As Toews has shown the Dolo Spyne DD is a great all around stick from slappers to wrist shots.

Briere using a Bauer Supreme One95 stick

Finally, we have Daniel Briere, here meeting a line of fans in Boston.  Briere definitely seems to step it up in the playoff, and this year he has been doing just that.  If you need evidence, just take a quick look at the second round series against Boston. Where Briere and the Flyers pull off one of the greatest comebacks in recent hockey history. Briere is shown here with what looks to be a Bauer Supreme One95 stick. One95 is a great stick, that has seen a fair share of use in the NHL.  The one95 stick offers a mid-flex point for loading maximum energy. Great for one-timers and slap shots, but as Briere has shown it can handle whatever you through at it.

As we have seen there are plenty of players stepping up their game these playoffs, and the same can be said about the stick manufacturers lately. With quality sticks coming from several companies. It is just a matter of finding what stick fits you the best, not what is the best stick.

The Bauer X:60 LE stick will have the same construction and materials as the standard X60 stick, only difference being graphics and instead of a stick’um coating or traditional gloss smooth coating, Bauer has used a smooth matte finish. Great choice in my opinion.

Check out the site for more info about the stick and its availability.

Bauer Vapor X60 LE hockey stick