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2019 Staff Stick Recommendations For Tourney Time
There is no more important time of year for a hockey player than tournament time! Tournament time is the culmination of the season. It also tends to be the time of the year when your stick has seen better days after numerous slappers, blocks and slashes. Fear not, this is a great time to consider a new stick and we have a few recommendations to narrow down the choices.
Bauer Nexus 2N Pro– This premium, pro level stick is the latest version of the Bauer Nexus line. Nexus stands out as the first of the “Hybrid Flex” sticks featuring a mid-kick point and Sweet Spot Technology for a natural flex. This is Bauer’s most versatile, elite stick.
Warrior QX Pro– A staff favorite for overall performance-to-value in a pro stick. This is the same stick used by junior hockey and college hockey teams. They are exceptionally lightweight and durable, and are offered in an extra tall. The QX line offers a “natural flex” coupled with the Saber Taper and Minimus Carbon 800 for a versatile, high performance experience. Compare this stick to sticks that cost $80-$100 more and you’ll have a new favorite too!
Warrior QRE Pro– Another staff favorite for overall performance-to-value in a pro stick. This is the same stick used by junior hockey and college hockey teams. They are exceptionally lightweight and durable, and are offered in an “extra tall.” The QR line offers a low kick point, the most popular kick point in hockey, coupled with the unique Edge Taper and Minimus Carbon 1000 for a high performance, quick release stick. Compare this stick to sticks that cost $80-$100 more and you’ll have a new favorite too!
CCM SuperTacks AS1– The new SuperTacks AS1 pushes the boundaries of performance and will become the new standard for Mid-Kick point sticks. The stiffness profile has been revisited to maximize loading while providing great stability and control. Not only can players benefit from a great, powerful stick, the feel has been substantially improved. The new X-Flow technology allows for a 10g weight reduction while improving compaction for better durability.
CCM Tacks 9080– Another stick that rates highly in the performance-to-value ratio. Featuring the same mid-kick, maximum loading taper and intermediate geometry as the AS1 in a more affordable stick. At nearly 1/2 the price of an elite stick, this is one of the best deals around.
Introducing the Bauer Nexus 2N Pro Hockey Stick!
The Bauer Nexus 2N Pro hockey stick is the latest edition of the extremely popular Nexus line of sticks from Bauer. The Bauer Nexus 2N Pro provides a mid-kick point and Sweet Spot technology, features a Textreme construction for a lightweight and dependable feel that will hold its flex over time with the help of the new Duraflex resin system. The easy load taper technology allows for quick shots, while the mid-kick profile allows for more powerful and accurate shots. The eLASTech blade on the Bauer Nexus 2N Pro combines with the new ACL blade technology to provide a responsive blade with tons of feel. It also features the new R-Lite Blade system, which creates a more balanced feel in the stick through reduced blade weight as well as an overall stick weight reduction of 10 grams compared to the 1N.
Sports Etc Performance-to-Value Rating: 9 out of 10. The new Bauer Nexus 2N Pro composite hockey stick is designed for a versatile hockey player looking for a stick that can perform at any level. If you are a player looking for an advanced lightweight mid-kick hockey stick check out the Nexus 2N Pro.
The Release of the Bauer Supreme 2S Pro Hockey Skate
Coming to stores on July 13 2018, Bauer will be releasing the newest skate to their Supreme line. The Bauer Supreme 2S hockey skate will include some of Bauer’s most innovative features to date. Here are some of the key highlights:
– LS5 Carbon Steel- The LS5 Carbon Steel from Bauer features a carbon chrome coating, which hardens the edges of the blades, and increases overall durability. The internal core of the LS5 Steel is also softer than a typical blade, which improves the sharpness and consistency at the edges. According to Bauer, the LS5 Carbon Steel will have an approximate 61-69% improvement in overall sharpness level compared to LS2 and other similar blades. The change is so drastic, Bauer suggests that you may need to choose a duller radius on the Bauer Supreme 2S skate. They feel that you will be able to maintain a strong bite on the ice, with a more shallow hollow because of the improvements made in the quality of the steel. A Bauer/NHL study found that most players chose a more shallow hollow after trying the LS5 Carbon Steel.
– Speedplate 2.0- The Bauer Speedplate 2.0 is a full custom footbed with multi-layer foam to help increase comfort and support. This in upgrade over the original Speedplate, which did not offer as much foam support, affecting the overall comfort of the product.
– 3 Piece 52 ounce felt tongue- The 3-piece felt tongue offers a unique blend of flexibility (3 pieces) for full range of motion, and protection with the 52 ounce felt padding throughout the tongue.
– Precision Fit Technology/Curv Composite Boot- Consistent with the high-end Supreme line over the most recent years– the 2S skate will feature a full Curv Composite boot, with an anatomical precision fit for a true custom fit around the contours of a persons foot.
Another interesting fact about the Bauer Supreme line– through 50 thousand foot scanes, the Bauer 3D Skate Lab found that 45% of players are an ideal fit for the Supreme line, over Vapor (43%), and Nexus (12%).
Rob ‘Em Blind: The Bauer Supreme 2S Goalie Pads
New to May 2018, the Bauer Supreme 2S goalie line reaches a new level of speed on the ice. The new C.O.R.T.E.C.H ST skin is improved for better slide, durability and faster rebounds. And the POWERLITE core gives the pads a more durable core with better seal on the ice.
With 83 percent better puck impact, 68 percent better tensile strength and 57 percent better skate cut resistance, these pads are three times more durable overall.
Supreme vs. Vapor Goalie Pads: Supreme pads feature a single break below the knee with a stiff, fused boot for goalies who like technical and precise movements. Vapor pads have a double break above and below the knee with soft boot flex. Perfect for agile, reactive goalies.
Sports Etc Performance To Value Rating– 9 out of 10- A lightweight, firm pad using cutting edge technologies that compliment the modern butterfly goalie.
The Official Launch: Bauer Supreme 2S Pro Goalie Skate!
On May 18, 2018 the Bauer Supreme 2S Pro Goalie Skate will be released for sale. The new goalie skate has a new Curv Composite boot, carbon coated stainless steel, lock-fit pro liner, and a new heel lock with an eyelet comfort pad. These upgrades make the 2S Pro one of the most elite goalie skates on the market today. Here are some of the highlights:
- Carbon Curv® composite boot
- Asymmetric goalie specific boot design
- Lock Fit Pro liner
- Asymmetric recoil tongue
- VERTEXX EDGE goalie holder
- Full composite outsole with ventilation
- Goalie specific toe cap
- LS5G Carbon-Coated Stainless Steel
- Lundqvist loop
Sports Etc Performance To Value Rating– 10 out of 10– One of the best skates available for elite level goalies looking for a performance skate. The lightest goalie skate ever made.
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- Bauer Supreme 2S Goal Skate
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- Lundqvist Loop
Introducing the Spine: Bauer Supreme 2S Pro Goalie Stick
With the meteoric rise in popularity of performance composite goalie sticks at every level of hockey, the Bauer Supreme 1S set a very high bar in terms of weight and balance. With the launch of the Bauer Supreme 2S Pro, the bar is set even higher.
The biggest improvement in the 2S Pro is the new Ergo Spine construction. This technology allows Bauer to compress and flatten the materials in the paddle reducing weight and increasing stiffness. As a result of this “flattening”, the spine of the handle is visible on the back of the paddle making for an extremely lightweight goalie stick.
Sports Etc Performance To Value Rating- 10 out of 10. The lightest premium goalie stick on the market today.
The Bauer Supreme 2S Pro Goalie Sticks hits shelves on 5/18/18! Pre-Order yours today!
Your Guide to the Most Popular Hockey Stick Curves
When choosing your hockey stick curve, it is important to pick a pattern that suits your style of play. There are a wide variety of options, and sometimes it may feel overwhelming when looking at all the stick manufacturers, and types of sticks, but it is not as confusing as you may think. Each hockey stick manufacturer produces the same exact curve patterns, they just give them different names based on the player that represents their company.
Here is a simple breakdown, and a look at the most popular hockey stick curves on the market today based on sales:
Bauer P92 (Ovechkin), CCM P29 (Crosby), Warrior W03 (Backstrom), TRUE TC2, STX X92
- Most popular curve in the US, Canada & Europe
- Used in 95% of European Pro Leagues according to Bauer
- Mid-Toe Curve
- Open Face/Toe
- Ideal for toe drags/controlling puck when stick-handling
- Perfect for elevating the puck on quick wristers or snapshots
- A shooter’s curve
Bauer P88 (Kane), CCM P40 (MacKinnon), Warrior W88 (Zetterberg), TRUE MC, STX X88
- Second most popular curve on the market today
- Standard Mid-Curve
- Slightly open face
- Ideal for stick-handling/puck possession
- Perfect for puck control and accurate shooting
- A playmaker’s curve
Bauer P28 (Eichel), CCM P28 (McDavid), Warrior W28 (Gallagher), TRUE TC4, STX X28
- Quickly rising in popularity at all levels, including the NHL
- Mid-Toe Curve
- Open toe with a large hook
- Makes toe drags easy
- The ultimate shooter’s curve- easy to elevate the puck and pick corners, but can make stick-handling more difficult for beginners
- Ideal for a skilled goal-scorer
In today’s hockey market, 9 out of 10 players will choose one of these 3 curves, which has led to a shift within production for hockey manufacturers. Most, if not all companies have begun to reduce the amount of stick patterns available for the consumer. For this reason, you may find it difficult to find a unique stick pattern, that you may have once used.
Top Secret: The Bauer Advanced Series ADV Limited Edition Hockey Stick
The secret Was revealed on January 27th– the ultra-limited edition Bauer VAPOR ADV hockey stick hit the shelves With stores only allowed to sell 12 sticks each! The response has been phenomenal!
After three years of top-secret development, 2,000 hours of on-ice testing, and just 3,000 sticks made worldwide, the Advanced Series is ready to be unveiled as the lightest stick ever made. This once-in-a-lifetime stick is so limited, you might be the only one on your team who has it. Some of the highlights:
- 3 years of top-secret development
- 2,000 hours of on-ice testing
- Advanced Carbon Layering: less weight without sacrificing durability
- Speedier recoil for quicker releases
- Only 3,000 made worldwide
- 12 sticks per participating store: 6 left-handed, 6 right
- 67, 77, 87 flex
- P92 pattern
Product Review: Bauer Vapor 1X Lite Hockey Sticks. What’s Lighter…?
Bauer has launched it’s newest stick, the 2017/2018 Vapor 1X Lite. How light is it? So light it feels like nothing! So light it will have you asking “What’s Lighter”?
- 15 GRAMS LIGHTER: The Advanced Carbon Layering (ACL) is a new, innovative design using thinner, stronger internal carbon fiber layers in the stick blade, which has helped create the lightest stick ever — 15 grams lighter than the previous 1X.
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11% FASTER RELEASE: With the weight savings provided by ACL technology, the VAPOR 1X Lite delivers an 11% improvement in taper recoil — which means an 11% faster release for you, and 11% less time for goalies to react to your shot.
- 20% INCREASE in BLADE STABILITY: The 2017 VAPOR 1X Lite features new QRT+ technology, which uses extra carbon fiber layers to reinforce the taper zone where the shaft becomes the blade. The result is 20% increased blade stability from the previous 1X stick, giving you better one-timers and pass control.
Sports Etc Performance to Value Rating: 9 out of 10: Bauer has hit another home run with the release of their newest Vapor 1x Lite hockey stick. Many stick manufacturers will argue that they make the lightest stick on the market today, but the new 1X Lite is truly the lightest stick we have ever felt. If you are in the market for a quick-release, low kick-point stick– this is the perfect stick for you.
Sports Etc Product Review: 2017 Bauer Vapor 1X Hockey Skate
Sports Etc Performance To Value Rating– 9 out of 10
The Bauer Vapor 1X hockey skate continues to be the best-selling high-end performance skate that we carry. The 2017 version of the 1X has had some noticeable changes, which in our opinion have been for the better. Here are some of the pros and cons:
PROS:
- New and improved tongue: The newly designed “Flex Lock Pro” tongue has heat moldable inserts that improve the overall flexibility of the tongue, while not compromising on protection. The old high-end vapor model had a thick felt tongue, which was great for comfort and protection, but it also created an extremely stiff feel when attempting to flex your foot forward. The new tongue provides the most flexible and comfortable feel of any high-end model to date.
- Realigned Inner Quarter Panel: The inside panel of the boot has been increased in overall size to help support the natural ankle position and pressure that a skater puts on the boot. The majority of time, a skater is putting most of their pressure on the inside of the skate while pushing off. The increased surface area on the inside allows for a better response, while providing more support as you drive your skate into the ice.
- Improved Skate Eyelets: The softer flex composition of the eyelets makes them more durable than last years 1X model. The 2015 Bauer 1X had some issues with eyelets cracking because of the one piece composition of the boot and eyelets. This created too much stress on the eyelet, causing them to break. Bauer has redesigned the eyelets on the 2017 model to mimic a more traditional eyelet, which reduces stress on the eyelets, in turn improving the durability.
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- New Tongue/Eyelets
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- Realigned Quarter Panel
CONS:
- Steel Cracking: Since Bauer has changed to the Lightspeed Edge trigger holder, there has definitely been an uptick in steel breaking on their skates. This may be attributed to the way the steel is held into the skate. The “trigger” piece that holds the skate blade does not secure the blade as tight as the traditional screw that used to hold the steel. With that said, the convenience of changing steel on the fly has been a major benefit to the hockey community.
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