Beer Leagues, Gear, and other Non-Pro Related Items

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
Yeah, we are too nice to one of the guys, and one of the other guys is our best player which makes the mocking harder. But even as the best player it still makes us a weaker team because it just starts the downward cycle of shift length extension.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Just remind him that you guys pay the same amount as he does.

Everyone is okay with the best players getting a little extra time during a game, but when someone is stealing ice time, that’s no bueno.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
So, got this email forwarded to me. Unreal:

From:
Date: September 15, 2018 at 12:18:19 PM EDT
To:
Subject: Boston-area emergency fill-in goalie lz
Reply-To:



Hi... I've heard that your team has been looking for a fill-in goalie from time to time, so I wanted to let you know that I am available to do fill-in goalie service in the Boston area for B to C level games and pick-ups, for the next couple of weeks. (I am in the Boston area for about 3 weeks every 3 months, or so.)


I am 57 years old, played varsity goalie in highschool, and have been playing again for the last few years. I play an aggressive Cheevers-Thomas style, with a little bit of Brodeur-Hasek thrown in.

I am willing to make your team's need my priority and go fill in for $40-$50 for a one-day advance or same-day emergency commitment. I am located in Newton, and am willing to drive up to a range of 60 minutes to your rink. In an extreme emergency, I may be willing to go farther for a little more $.

To reserve my fill-in help, just e-mail me at -------------- with the pertinent info: game date & time, duration, level; rink name & location; your team captain/rep's name and contact info. I'll respond as soon after as I can to let you know if I am available for your game. (If you need a more immediate response, you can also whatsapp or text me at -------.)

After I send you my response letting you know that I can make your game, you will have two hours (day in advance) or one hour (same day game) to transfer the agreed upon amount to my Paypal account () as your way of committing me to your game. (If you pay late, after I have made another commitment, or if you change your mind after paying and then cancel, I will refund half of your deposit.)

Your guarantee is that I will show up on time, and be on the ice ready to play when the game starts. If I get on the ice after official puck drop, I will refund you (via Paypal) half the amount you paid. If, for some emergency, I might have to cancel, I will refund you the full amount you advanced to me --plus $10 more if less than 12 hour notice. (To date, I have never arrived late nor missed a commitment.) Any craziness or abuse, or if I get injured (I have insurance) and have to get off the ice, no refund. I may agree to play for up to 90 minutes, but may also take a short break halfway through.

Please note: I prefer not to play at rinks that lack full locker room facilites, i.e., showers and bathrooms in, or directly accessible from, the locker room, so let me know if that is the situation. Sorry, not interested in playing for women's teams or in situations with women in the locker room.

See you at the rink!


PS. I appreciate you passing this on to other interested team captains in the Boston area. I only send one e-mail advisory each time I come to town, but if you are way out of my area, and/or just want permanent off this e-mail list for any reason, no problem, just say so.

What the fuck?

Edit: the bolded is his
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
That is pretty hilarious actually. I'd almost be willing to throw in a couple bucks just to hear a report on his 'game' and what I suspect is going to be some amazing locker room antics -- no ladies allowed!

If anything you are getting a bargain. Where I am you don't pay real money but you do have to share beer with the goalies on the sub list and you also don't get the "aggressive Cheevers-Thomas style"!

Also, are you sure this is not parody?
 
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TheRealness

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 8, 2006
11,694
The Dirty Shire
Yeah, I am a goalie and would never offer to pay. You can pay me in beers to show up. Goalies skate free!

EDIT: Oh shit, you have to pay him! That's awesome.
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
I am starting to nerd out on some issues:

Do you know the profile of your skate blades and how much do you think it matters?

Along the same lines, do you put any emphasis on getting them sharpened at a particular hollow?

I assume I have generally had mine sharped at 3/8th or 7/16th but I just got them cut at 5/8th in the hope of getting more glide speed. Chatting up the guy doing the sharpening, he said it might be worth also adjusting the profile because, as he said, lots of Bauer skates are a bit pitched back. He said adjusting the profile would lend to more naturally being in a proper stride crouch, rather than defaulting to a vertical position.

Any ideas?

Remember, I'm just a beer leaguer. That said, in the context of a beer league, about all I have going for me is a little bit of speed relative to the league level game speed.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
I always look at the sharpeners with a dumb look whenever they ask me because I have no idea what I’ve been getting in the 25 years I’ve played hockey.
 

RIFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
I've always wanted to see if the flat bottom V profile that is common with the pros makes any kind of difference. I've found that more bite helps me so I get 9/16 or even 3/8 if they can't do 9/16. 3/8 can be too much if they are really sharp, so I'll rub them on the dasher.

It really doesn't matter for me right now. I broke my leg playing a few weeks ago and tore up my ankle. Not sure if getting back playing is in my future.
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
I always look at the sharpeners with a dumb look whenever they ask me because I have no idea what I’ve been getting in the 25 years I’ve played hockey.
According to this guy, you probably have been getting 7/16. That is apparently pretty standard and sharp enough to want to rub the dasher for a bit before going.

I think the last time I got 3/8th I went flying onto my rear end during warm-ups.The first time I tried to turn around to skate backwards I caught too much of an edge and went flying.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
There was a period of time where I took this shit real serious. I was up at Zwickers with new skates and the daughter asked me all sorts of questions about what position I play and how I skated and how much I weighed etc. She changed all sorts of stuff (hollow, radius, profile) and “customized” them for me. It was noticeable,but I wasn’t able to go there all the time, eventually got new steel and didn’t get the work done any further.

I recently got my first pair of CCM’s at least since I had Tacks when I was 12 or 13, and I noticed the profile was very different than Bauer- it definitely felt like I was leaning forward more. I don’t notice that anymore but I’ve gotten new steel since and have not had them profiled.

I think there are too many factors that go into it- how soft the ice is, how much you weigh, all sorts of stuff. 5/8 should work just fine for most of us beer league guys.
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
I think I am going to go for it. The guy who is going to do it is going to watch me skate tomorrow, and then do the work after that. So it seems like the kind of thing where I have burned $20 on more foolishly quixotic things.

I have this dream that changing the profile will create less struggle against the ice and I have always had the sense that it should be easier to stay low in my stride. Maybe also changing the pitch will do the trick. If not, I'll let you know.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,089
Tuukka's refugee camp
The lesson, as always, is it’s the equipment and not the skill level that is preventing all of us beer leaguers from making the jump to the NHL.
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
FWIW, skating tonight, I don't think the 5/8 was decisive, but it sure did not hurt any and if I noticed any difference at all it was that I was a little less miserable working my way back on the back check.

But I did get a hat trick (and a nifty assist as well).

It helped to play the slowest team in the league, but I'll take what I can get.
 

Old Fart Tree

the maven of meat
Lifetime Member
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Jan 10, 2001
14,024
Boulder, CO
There’s a whole Canadian sitcom called rent a goalie about goalies getting paid to sit in in emergencies.

It’s a joke. If this guy wants to get paid to play goalie fuck him.

In an unrelated story tomorrow is the decisive game three for our championship series in a league we’ve never won, and it may be my last game. I just... really really want to win it.
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
So I just had my first skate last night with both the new hollow and the profile change:

On the one hand, I do think I could cut quicker and had better overall speed and could push harder into my stride.

On the other hand, let's be serious, this is still just a pretty minor change vs actually being a better hockey player. I'd say it is analogous to the impact of getting a better stick -- certainly worth it, but not the kind of change that magically made me the hockey player I've always dreamed of being.
 
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Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
There’s a whole Canadian sitcom called rent a goalie about goalies getting paid to sit in in emergencies.

It’s a joke. If this guy wants to get paid to play goalie fuck him.

In an unrelated story tomorrow is the decisive game three for our championship series in a league we’ve never won, and it may be my last game. I just... really really want to win it.
You guys have a championship series?

How many teams in the league? And does that get heated playing back to back for hardware?
 

Old Fart Tree

the maven of meat
Lifetime Member
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Jan 10, 2001
14,024
Boulder, CO
Yeah. The only league I’ve ever played in that doesn’t just do a single game championship. And since I went out on top with a shutout like Timmy T, I’m probably gonna start posting racist Tea Party shit like any day now!! But in the meantime,

ImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530481.439854.jpgImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530503.675926.jpg
ImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530533.030291.jpgImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530554.031751.jpg
ImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530579.520393.jpgImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530595.472258.jpg
ImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530614.242241.jpgImageUploadedBySons of Sam Horn1539530626.778155.jpg
 

Old Fart Tree

the maven of meat
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2001
14,024
Boulder, CO
Oh, 8 teams and yeah it got a little heated playing three weeks back to back like that, but honestly the league is full of pretty decent guys (minus one team of assholes who shall remain nameless) so no big deal.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Awesome! That trophy rules.

My over 40 league just won this past season (the Defending of the Trophy starts next Sunday) for the first time in 13 years in the league. More than a couple of guys in recovery though, so only about 1/2 the team went out and tore it up. Champagne of Beers for me too.

I played for years in a jamboree style tournament for mostly Allston-Brighton guys. The first year I won it was the first year for a few of us- got a bit out of hand. Lot of beer and whiskey was drank out of that trophy- left my tab open at the Bus Stop...had to go back and get my card the next day. :unsure:
 

wiffleballhero

Member
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Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
My league has a cup as well, but no duct tape -- an actual 'silver' (steel?) bowl mounted on a trophy stand. At the end of the championship the commissioner of the league presents the cup dressed in a tux. He looks like Rene Rancourt out there.
 

Old Fart Tree

the maven of meat
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2001
14,024
Boulder, CO
My league has a cup as well, but no duct tape -- an actual 'silver' (steel?) bowl mounted on a trophy stand. At the end of the championship the commissioner of the league presents the cup dressed in a tux. He looks like Rene Rancourt out there.

That’s fucking sick as hell.
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
Hey big fella, how long is your stick?

I made the move to cut one of my sticks -- my game stick, such as it is -- down quite a bit. It will now rest at about my collar bone with my skates on. Although I have been using a 'normal' chin-level cut, I used to play with a stick nearly to my eyes, thinking that being short and all, I needed all the extra reach I could get. But I am playing center and I live and die trying to dig pucks out of tight spaces, either on the boards or in front of the net, so it seems like smaller is better.

Also, I am hoping for a little more agility stick handling in the open ice.

Just to be safe, I made an extension out of the part I cut off. I'm going to bring it and a roll of tape to the bench tonight if I just can't handle the little twig.

Whadda think? How short can you go?
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
OK, so the stick cutting was clearly a good idea. I had much more going on with the puck, scored twice, once on a puck that I likely never would have been quick or agile enough to poke with a longer stick (rebound at my feet, right in front of the goalie).

I never once thought I wanted more length.

But I don't think I would want to go much shorter. I also felt I could get off quicker shots, not needing to load so much length.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,050
Alamogordo
I got it, kenny!

As to the stick, that's interesting, and I may give it a try. I'm coming close to being in the market for a new stick anyway, and I'm not actually playing games yet, so what could it hurt, I guess. It does make sense, though, as I definitely find myself having trouble adjusting to passes in my skates sometimes, where I just can't get my top hand up fast enough to play it cleanly. It would also increase my flex rating a little, which I think is something I need to do as well.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Look at pictures of NHL players- with a few exceptions, most players have them somewhere between shoulder and armpit.
 

wiffleballhero

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 28, 2009
4,529
In the simulacrum
Look at pictures of NHL players- with a few exceptions, most players have them somewhere between shoulder and armpit.
I am starting to see why. But in my beer league almost nobody has it cut this short, and then there is the old standard of cutting it at your nose in shoes, chin on skates? What is that all about?
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Some people are still arguing wings should stay in their lanes up the ice.

I'd guess that was just an easy trick to remember about how long to cut your stick? I'd have guessed that maybe it was a thing with wooden and pre-technology sticks, but check this:


When I switched to defense about 10 years ago, I used a longer stick- I'd have two on the bench depending on where I was playing. I've been using a shorter stick for a while now though, even on D.
 

RIFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
I cut down my stick and it helped a lot with my puck control. It helps me dig out pucks in my feet, but more importantly forces me to not be as upright and in better skating posture.I bought an intermediate stick when I broke that one since the length was about the same which as a side benefit saved me a few bucks.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,050
Alamogordo
So, we (me and the wife) stepped up and attended our first "Skills and Drills" session tonight. It's the same coach as our lessons we are taking, but more advanced, faster and non-stop. There was a much bigger skill variance as well, as both of us are probably ready for Bronze B, but there was at least one guy there from the Gold league tonight, which was a little intimidating for both of us. Everyone was really cool, though, even though there were times I felt like I was holding back the session (not egregiously, but enough that I felt bad). Also, it was my third time skating in 5 days, so I was pretty well spent by the end of it.

I really, really enjoyed it, and we are probably going to go this route after our second session of class ends in March, as the price is comparable, but at this point I think we got more out of tonight than we do out of a couple weeks of class. I'd much rather be in league, but with my stupid, shitty work schedule I'm still hesitant to make that kind of commitment to a team.

I spent almost my entire stick time session Friday working on backwards crossovers, and I am definitely making progress, but things still get hairy when I start picking up speed.

I'm liking the shorter stick so far, as well. Keeping the puck a little closer to me is taking some getting used to, and I've found myself reaching a couple times for pucks I thought I should have only to end up a couple inches short, but puck handling, passing and receiving and shooting feels way more natural to me now. The biggest problem I am having in our scrimmages is a fear of making contact, mostly because I like everyone in the class and don't want to piss them off.
 

Old Fart Tree

the maven of meat
Lifetime Member
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Jan 10, 2001
14,024
Boulder, CO
We are at SFO and there’s an adult hockey team wearing all goofy reindeer and elf and Santa costumes. Brings a tear to my eye.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
I've always wanted to see if the flat bottom V profile that is common with the pros makes any kind of difference. I've found that more bite helps me so I get 9/16 or even 3/8 if they can't do 9/16. 3/8 can be too much if they are really sharp, so I'll rub them on the dasher.

It really doesn't matter for me right now. I broke my leg playing a few weeks ago and tore up my ankle. Not sure if getting back playing is in my future.
I got a 100/50 flat bottom V the other day from the guy who sharpens the Caps skates. The difference was noticeable. I was able to get into and out of sharp turns quickly, and I had an extra 2+ mph on my top end speed (according to the hockeytracker app). It's only been one game, but it's probably something I'll stick with.
 

TFP

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2007
20,380
So our rink recently got up and live on LiveBarn. It's really humbling to watch tape of yourself out there.

But the content for the team is amazing.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
So our rink recently got up and live on LiveBarn. It's really humbling to watch tape of yourself out there.

But the content for the team is amazing.
The goalie for my team sets up 2 Go-Pro's (one behind each goalie) and edits the footage each game. Humbling is an understatement.

But I do love getting to watch myself smoke the post on repeat.

https://j.gifs.com/rRLVAB.gif

 

TFP

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2007
20,380
Men’s league last night, 7-4 win, me and D partner were +7, other pair -4.

o_O
Yikes. I have a fun stat from my last game. My D partner went +4 in one shift, and I hopped on after the first goal and went +3...without touching the puck the entire shift.