He caved my cage ! ! !

... and it was hard enough to bounce off my cage and not hit the ice again until it crossed the red line.

Later in the game, the ref told me he would call icing if I headbutted another puck the full lenght of the ice again.... :-)

[lynchmob]

If the bars are only bent a little bit, why even straighten them anyway? I've seen lots of goalies just leave it and keep playing with it.

[This message has been edited by lynchmob (edited November 10, 1999).]

[Bryan]

Ha Ha Squealagig, I've had the paperclip thing pointed out to me before, and I'll tell you what I told them. The steel on your cage is significantly stronger than a paperclip. If you can bend the bars on your cage with your bare hands, get a different cage. Paperclips only break if you keep bending them back and forth, and even then it takes several bends to do it unless you are bending it all the way one way and all the way back. If you stick to bending it 30° or less and only returning it to the original position (not 30° back the other way) it will take a long time before that paperclip will break. I've only had to bend back this cage 3 times, all of those were a lot less than a 30° indent (more like 10-15°), and all were in a different spot. If the cage actually caved right in, of course I'd chuck it. If it bent in the same exact place a couple of times I'd chuck it then too. But to replace it every time it gets a little bend in it is not at all neccesary.

I think today's cages bend easier than the old ones did. I've taken some tremendous impacts off my Jofa with little or no damage. I've seen people with their new Kohos take a shot from the top of the circle only to see the bars bend right in. Even some of the new "pro" masks use carbon steel for the cage instead of stainless. This is dumb. I'll take an old fatigued stainless cage over a new carbon one any day. Even with the home repair jobs I've done, you will not convince me that I'm any safer in my new Eddy LT than I am in my 15 year old Jofa, cracks and all. Besides that, I can see better out of the Jofa, so that alone makes it safer in my book. It doesn't have openings big enough to put the blade of a stick through, like a cat's eye cage does, either.

BTW Bernie, did you say "I can't believe of all people YOU would trivialize the importance of the cage/helmet." because you think I'm smart, because I'm a parent and should be psycho overprotective, or just because I'm generally so fussy about my gear? Here's my catch-all disclaimer that I'm going to add to the end of all my posts from now on, OK?

DISCLAIMER:
"Hockey is a dangerous sport. Accidents causing serious injury, even death can and do happen. No protective gear or advice can completely eliminate this danger. The writer will not assume any responsibility whatsoever for any injury resulting from the opinions expressed herein. The writer is not affiliated with Miller. All opinions are exclusively those of the writer, and in no way reflect the opinions of the management and staff of Miller or The Goalie Store. All stunts performed on a closed track with a professional driver, do not attempt. Consult your Doctor before before begining this, or any other execise program. This individual experienced extraordinary results. As individuals differ, so will results. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Game pieces do not actually talk. Obects in the mirror are closer than they appear. Not responsible for typographical or printing errors. The writer is not a physicist, doesn't even play one on TV, and has never done any testing for CSA or HECC. No such claim is expressed or implied."

[This message has been edited by Bryan (edited November 10, 1999).]

[Bernie]

Lynch, I disagree that straightening a "bent bar here and there" is reasonable. We're talking about jerry-riggin equipment that may be counted on to prevent an injury that will change your whole life forever. Hammering even a single bent bar compromises the integrity of not only that bar, but the weld on that bar, and also the others bars welded to it!
True, probably the mask will still hold up just fine after one hammering out. I don't doubt that. The point is, is it worth the risk? Don't forget, we've already heard horror stories on this site about cage failure from perfect condition cages!

If you had a choice of two equal priced used cars- but the first car had the frame bent in an accident but was professionaly straightened at a body shop, you would insist on the second car wouldn't you?
(Of course, if the choice was between straightening the frame on my own car or buying a brand new car- I'd straighten the frame )


Bernie

[Squealagig]

LOL with the disclaimer Bryan. As for the paper clip thing, The larger the diamiter of the metal the greater the stress caused by bending as the outsides are compressed and streched longer distances. Also did you notice that after the first time you bent the paper clip it bent a whole lot easyer the second time.

I think this calls for a test. Everybody get a hammer and bend their cage around a bit. Then we'll dicide who is right based on a rock, paperm sissor contest.

[badgerit]

I leave the testing to the obscenely rich people on this BB...

[daemyn75]

Agreed badger let them loose there head not me. I'd replace the cage too.

[Aaron]

Is $50 too much to ask for proper protection? Sheesh, save some soda cans and get a new one! Why skimp on your most important piece of equipment? (ok a tie with your cup)

[badgerit]

I'd say the cup is more important...They played for decades before using helmets...but they ALWAYS wore cups! (i think, at least I hope)

Haven't you seen the story of Jacques Strap? The first goalie to wear a cup?

[badgerit]

That's gotta be the worst joke....EVER.

Thanks!

[AJW]

Speaking of that Gordie Howe was asked years ago by some reporter if he was willing to wear a cup why didn't he wear a helmet? His response, " yeh, but I can always pay someone to do my thinking for me."

Well, I decided to replace my cage thanks to the various posts on the topic.. However I would like to point out that the cage for my ITECH Profile is $89.99 and has to be special ordered... I am very VERY NOT happy with this...

On the upside I play better when I am pissed off at forwards.

[badgerit]

$90?????? NOOOOO WAY! I know I've seen it for cheaper....it MUST be obtainable at a lower price! $90 is impossibly ridiculous!