Isn't there more than 1 Crawford hater on here??
- Al

I don't hate Crow or anyone else, but i do reserve the right to criticize anyone i feel is ph'n up.

Get skate guards, put your skates on, put your feet in a tub full of hot water for 5 minutes, spend the next few hours in front of your TV until the skates dry. That's how I used to break skates in. But I too am using a pair of ollder Tacks

The retailer can 'heat' the skates with your feet on them which does what I used to do with the water. I understand from a friend that the Vapours are a very narrow fit and can cause issues with some people.
- paulr

Yeah, I just you tubed a video on "baking" Wife will probably stare at me for a bit when I put the skates on the cookie sheet and put them in the oven.

I just joined a men's league. Been awhile since I played organized, and my Tacks are so beat up the rivots are coming out and the housing is cracking.

I may be one too, but the solution is to give the RBKs a fair look. They are like slippers when you put them on and break in is seamless. If I were younger skating 3 or 4 times a week, sure fight the battle with Vapors and high end traditionals, but for 1 or 2 days a week, with limited break in...go RBK all day.
- TrueGrit

Thanks...I probably should have done research before going out and buying a new pair. Oh well.....I don't know what will be worse....My feet throbbing when I take my skates or off, or me about to pass out.

People say they're in shape, but being in shape vs being in hockey shape are 2 different animals.

I don't hate Crow or anyone else, but i do reserve the right to criticize anyone i feel is ph'n up.
- philco28

Exactly. That's what this is for. A matter of opinion.

I don't hate CC, but his major technical flaw of dropping his glove hand drives me bananas. Hand drops, and then he whips it up and waives at the puck. Or he makes a lot of glove saves like he's an offensive lineman setting up the block with his elbow out. Very odd.

As for Bickell....well.....I hope he has a monster playoff season, because right now he's pretty much worthless. For his goal he was rewarded with very limited ice time.

I also have a bad feeling that Q is scratching Pirri tonight which only toys with the kids confidence. Q raves that he's rounding into form, and then scratches him fo rHandzus? So yeah...lets neutralize Kane again before the game by sticking him with that washed up goof.

No...I just watched the you tube video on that. I am going to try that tonight. I hope that works.

I don't know what is worse.....breaking in these skates or the sticker shock I had when I picked up a composite stick? $250?????
- SteveRain

I Can't bring myself to spend that much. Usually get some older model ones on totalhockey or Hockeymonkey.com. if you buy 2 or more at a time you can get some decent ones for under $50 apiece.

No...I just watched the you tube video on that. I am going to try that tonight. I hope that works.

I don't know what is worse.....breaking in these skates or the sticker shock I had when I picked up a composite stick? $250?????
- SteveRain

Still a very expensive sport to play or own...

A few years ago Burke said the Leafs paid $650k a season for sticks....At first I thought that's too high. But really now I think it would be more than that.

I Can't bring myself to spend that much. Usually get some older model ones on totalhockey or Hockeymonkey.com. if you buy 2 or more at a time you can get some decent ones for under $50 apiece.
- Jocelyn26

Oh, I didn't buy one...while I waited for my skates to be sharpened, I saw a dad come in and buy his highschool kid 2 sticks. I almost fell over. I'll date myself....I used Titan back in my day. Still have 1. Feels like swinging an ax compared to those composites. No wonder they shatter non stop in games.

I'll check out those sites. Thanks for the tip.

Exactly. That's what this is for. A matter of opinion.

I don't hate CC, but his major technical flaw of dropping his glove hand drives me bananas. Hand drops, and then he whips it up and waives at the puck. Or he makes a lot of glove saves like he's an offensive lineman setting up the block with his elbow out. Very odd.

As for Bickell....well.....I hope he has a monster playoff season, because right now he's pretty much worthless. For his goal he was rewarded with very limited ice time.

I also have a bad feeling that Q is scratching Pirri tonight which only toys with the kids confidence. Q raves that he's rounding into form, and then scratches him fo rHandzus? So yeah...lets neutralize Kane again before the game by sticking him with that washed up goof.
- SteveRain

I think that had more to do with all the special teams play (5PP's/5PK's) than anything else. Otherwise I generally agree. I'm scared.

Yeah, I just you tubed a video on "baking" Wife will probably stare at me for a bit when I put the skates on the cookie sheet and put them in the oven.

I just joined a men's league. Been awhile since I played organized, and my Tacks are so beat up the rivots are coming out and the housing is cracking.
- SteveRain

You could also take them to any reputable hockey pro-shop. They have ovens made for that right on site. If you're in the northern suburbs, Fred's in Vernon Hills is a great shop.

Exactly. That's what this is for. A matter of opinion.

I don't hate CC, but his major technical flaw of dropping his glove hand drives me bananas. Hand drops, and then he whips it up and waives at the puck. Or he makes a lot of glove saves like he's an offensive lineman setting up the block with his elbow out. Very odd.

As for Bickell....well.....I hope he has a monster playoff season, because right now he's pretty much worthless. For his goal he was rewarded with very limited ice time.

I also have a bad feeling that Q is scratching Pirri tonight which only toys with the kids confidence. Q raves that he's rounding into form, and then scratches him fo rHandzus? So yeah...lets neutralize Kane again before the game by sticking him with that washed up goof.
- SteveRain

Bickell's ice time was a little lite but not as much as it seemed....Shaw and Saad had special team time ...Bickell had zip.

The more I watch Pirri the more concerned I am with his game...

Still a very expensive sport to play or own...

A few years ago Burke said the Leafs paid $650k a season for sticks....At first I thought that's too high. But really now I think it would be more than that.
- Al

I had a buddy who was a Franklin rep back in the late 90s. He was working with Krivokrasov. Gave guys on the team a few models to try out.

I just can't justify paying $250 a stick. Especially seeing them explode a few times every game. Seabrook went through almost a grand on Monday.

You could also take them to any reputable hockey pro-shop. They have ovens made for that right on site. If you're in the northern suburbs, Fred's in Vernon Hills is a great shop.
- Jocelyn26

I'm in Plainfield.

I need some help here...

I had a pair of Tacks for decades. I decided to buy new skates recently and went with the vapors....problem is it's been a royal pain to break these things in. I can't recall the tacks taking this long...Anyone have any tips? Either I am getting very old, or I'm turning into a big...ussy. Probably both.
- SteveRain

Which skates did you buy and what shape is your foot? Lower end skates can't be heat molded (no matter how much the random salesperson swears they can) and if the skate is the right shape for your foot, it shouldn't require any break-in to be comfortable.

Gone are the days where you had to put leather cream on your Daousts to get them soft and comfortable. New skates should be comfortable right out of the box.

Bickell's ice time was a little lite but not as much as it seemed....Shaw and Saad had special team time ...Bickell had zip.

The more I watch Pirri the more concerned I am with his game...
- Al

I though Pirri is looking better in his own end and supporting the puck. He's still where he should be, but he was out there late when they were up 2. Something he wouldn't have been back in November.

I am pulling for the kid because I can't stomach Handzus up there with Kane and Saad/Versteeg. Shaw is too valuable in that pest role on line 3, and the 4th line is arguably their most consistent after Sharp-Toews-Hossa.

As much as people on the CI want to bash him, Bolig has really found a nice niche and proving he's not some goon throwing upper cuts. But hey, CI needs to bash somebody to keep Bernstein happy.

Which skates did you buy and what shape is your foot? Lower end skates can't be heat molded (no matter how much the random salesperson swears they can) and if the skate is the right shape for your foot, it shouldn't require any break-in to be comfortable.

Gone are the days where you had to put leather cream on your Daousts to get them soft and comfortable. New skates should be comfortable right out of the box.
- Sandus

Vapor X60.

Not sure on the shape of my foot. Never had any issues with Tacks.

Exactly. That's what this is for. A matter of opinion.

I don't hate CC, but his major technical flaw of dropping his glove hand drives me bananas. Hand drops, and then he whips it up and waives at the puck. Or he makes a lot of glove saves like he's an offensive lineman setting up the block with his elbow out. Very odd.

As for Bickell....well.....I hope he has a monster playoff season, because right now he's pretty much worthless. For his goal he was rewarded with very limited ice time.

I also have a bad feeling that Q is scratching Pirri tonight which only toys with the kids confidence. Q raves that he's rounding into form, and then scratches him fo rHandzus? So yeah...lets neutralize Kane again before the game by sticking him with that washed up goof.
- SteveRain

He will not scratch Pirri. His line has been effective and for a rookie playing 2C I think he is doing just fine. How many games has he been back now? 4...His line has not been productive scoresheet wise, but are getting chances. Additionally, they have not been a liability defensively either.

As I repeat, like a clock, Blues, Sharks AVs and Ducks are better and faster, Handzuis becomes a liability in modern NHL. Pirri just needs to hit scoresheet again and that line will round into form.

Now I know your occupation! You're a Reebok salesman!
- paulr

No...I sell Emoticons!

I think that had more to do with all the special teams play (5PP's/5PK's) than anything else. Otherwise I generally agree. I'm scared.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm with you...The western conference rapidly adjusted to the Hawks and now they are very close to being even with depth and speed. if STL gets Ryan Miller...look out.

I'll say this....I don't think the hawks can beat STL without the home ice. STL will wear them down physically, and that's IF the Hawks can get past a Colorado team that has been giving them fits the past few years.

Last year, it was a matter of fine tuning. This year, I really think Bowman has to be more concerned with the recent spots this team is showing. Especially if Bickell won't engage...Then you basically have Bolig as the only large body upfront who will hit anyone....I love Shaw and the dude has a heart, but his hits don't register the why the larger bodied guys do.

He will not scratch Pirri. His line has been effective and for a rookie playing 2C I think he is doing just fine. How many games has he been back now? 4...His line has not been productive scoresheet wise, but are getting chances. Additionally, they have not been a liability defensively either.

As I repeat, like a clock, Blues, Sharks AVs and Ducks are better and faster, Handzuis becomes a liability in modern NHL. Pirri just needs to hit scoresheet again and that line will round into form.
- TrueGrit

We'll see...He skated Pirri up with Toews and Sharp while Hossa rested. That's usually the sign as to who's sitting the next day. it has been the pattern with Biickell and Handzus.

I am with you...I hope he doesn't sit, but Q's blind love for Handzus is beyond old. IT's alarming at this point. I don't get what this coaching staff sees that it thinks he offers enough to warrant ice time, let alone top 6 minutes. Very disturbing.

Vapor X60.

Not sure on the shape of my foot. Never had any issues with Tacks.
- SteveRain

The X60 has minimal thermoformable foam in it, meaning that you can heat mold them, but there won't be a significant effect. Where specifically is it hurting your feet?

The X60 has minimal thermoformable foam in it, meaning that you can heat mold them, but there won't be a significant effect. Where specifically is it hurting your feet?
- Sandus

The sides....not so much ankles, which tells me it's the narrow issue.

I'm still going to heat them up, and stand up in them to try and expand the narrowness of the boot.

The sides....not so much ankles, which tells me it's the narrow issue.

I'm still going to heat them up, and stand up in them to try and expand the narrowness of the boot.
- SteveRain

Might it be your arches?

Might it be your arches?
- 6628

Could be....do I dare put inserts in?

God only knows...

I'm with you...The western conference rapidly adjusted to the Hawks and now they are very close to being even with depth and speed. if STL gets Ryan Miller...look out.

I'll say this....I don't think the hawks can beat STL without the home ice. STL will wear them down physically, and that's IF the Hawks can get past a Colorado team that has been giving them fits the past few years.

Last year, it was a matter of fine tuning. This year, I really think Bowman has to be more concerned with the recent spots this team is showing. Especially if Bickell won't engage...Then you basically have Bolig as the only large body upfront who will hit anyone....I love Shaw and the dude has a heart, but his hits don't register the why the larger bodied guys do.
- SteveRain

Really man? So our only chance of getting by the mighty St. Louis Blues(who last night just blew a 3-1 3rd period lead at home to a mediocre eastern conference team) is if we get home ice? Chances are, we WONT have home ice over the Blues, or the Ducks. But that doesnt mean we cant beat them. Wear us down physically? Really? Just like the Kings and the Bruins were able to do? How many times are people gonna worry bout that till they realize we're essentially immune to that style as long as we're on top of our speed game? The Blues by losing Perron and adding Morrow aren't exactly lightyears faster than they were last year....And our team speed by what iv seen hasn't dipped one bit. Iv seen us skate circles around the Sharks(with a healthy Hertl and Wingles) and the Ducks already this season. And id be AMAZED if we lost a 7 game series to the Avs as long as we're healthy. I just think ur a lil too pessimistic on all fronts.

The sides....not so much ankles, which tells me it's the narrow issue.

I'm still going to heat them up, and stand up in them to try and expand the narrowness of the boot.
- SteveRain

Yeah, it sounds to me like your skates are not quite the right shape for your foot. My best advice is to bring them into a shop and have them reheated, and then punched out in some of the more problem areas. I'm pretty sure Total Hockey in Downers Grove will do it for free. Another option might be to simply loosen the laces a little in that region (making sure your foot can't slip, obviously) and wearing a more padded sock underneath. Hopefully you don't have to shell out for a new pair.