What are the top lacrosse goalie gear options for 2021. How can goalies choose the best gloves, sticks, chest pads, pants, helmets, and cleats for optimal protection and performance. Which brands offer the most reliable and effective equipment for lacrosse goalies.
The Crucial Role of Lacrosse Goalies and Their Equipment
Lacrosse goalies serve as the backbone of their team’s defense, facing high-speed shots and putting their bodies on the line during every game. The demanding nature of this position requires not only physical and mental toughness but also specialized equipment to ensure protection and enhance performance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best lacrosse goalie gear options for 2021, helping players and coaches make informed decisions about essential equipment.
Top Lacrosse Goalie Gloves: Protection Meets Flexibility
Goalie gloves are a crucial piece of equipment, differing significantly from those worn by field players. They feature reinforced thumb pads and fingers to reduce the risk of injury from powerful shots. Let’s examine some of the best options available:
1. Maverik M3 Gloves: The All-Rounder
The Maverik M3 Gloves stand out as a top choice for goalies seeking high performance in all aspects. These gloves offer:
- Traditional fit profile with additional finger volume for comfort and flexibility
- 37.5 Technology liner to manage sweat and heat
- AX Suede construction for a soft, natural feel and durability
- Inhaler mesh palms for improved airflow
- Available in four attractive colors and two sizes
Is breathability a concern for goalies? The Maverik M3’s inhaler mesh palms address this issue by allowing air to circulate, reducing sweat buildup and improving grip throughout the game.
2. Brine King 5 Lacrosse Goalie Gloves: Lightweight Protection
The Brine King Superlight goalie gloves offer excellent protection without compromising on weight or mobility. Key features include:
- Water-resistant lining for all-weather performance
- Hydrophobic material to combat sweat and odor
- TruVents technology for increased ventilation
- Textured Nash Palm for improved stick feel and control
- Floating cuff for added wrist protection
How do these gloves enhance a goalie’s performance in various weather conditions? The water-resistant and hydrophobic lining ensures comfort and grip regardless of rain or shine, while the TruVents technology keeps hands cool even in hot weather.
3. Warrior Regulator 2 Lacrosse Goalie Gloves: Impact Absorption
Warrior Regulator 2 gloves excel in absorbing high-impact shots and redirecting force away from the hands. Notable features include:
- New Lock Thumb design with high-impact foam
- Advanced bone protection on the backhand and fingers
- AX Suede palm for exceptional feel and comfort
How do these gloves balance protection and tactile sensitivity? The combination of impact-absorbing foam and thin AX Suede palm allows goalies to feel confident facing powerful shots while maintaining a precise feel for their stick.
Selecting the Ideal Lacrosse Goalie Stick
A goalie’s stick is their primary tool for making saves and clearing the ball. Let’s examine one of the top options for 2021:
STX Eclipse Prestrung: Versatility and Performance
The STX Eclipse Prestrung stick is widely regarded as one of the best choices for lacrosse goalies. What makes this stick stand out?
- Excellent balance between stiffness and flexibility
- Wide face shape for increased ball stopping area
- Durable construction for long-lasting performance
- Pre-strung for immediate use, ideal for beginners and experienced players alike
How does the stick’s design contribute to a goalie’s success? The wide face and optimal stiffness allow for quicker reactions and more consistent saves, while the durable construction ensures the stick can withstand the rigors of repeated high-speed impacts.
Chest Protection: Keeping Goalies Safe and Mobile
A reliable chest protector is essential for absorbing the impact of shots while allowing freedom of movement. Let’s explore a top option:
STX Shield 500: Advanced Protection and Comfort
The STX Shield 500 chest protector offers goalies superior protection without sacrificing mobility. Key features include:
- Ergonomic design for a natural fit and range of motion
- Advanced foam technology for impact absorption
- Ventilated panels to enhance breathability
- Adjustable straps for a customized fit
How does this chest protector balance protection and mobility? The ergonomic design and advanced foam work together to absorb impact while allowing goalies to move freely, ensuring they can make saves without feeling restricted.
Goalie Pants: Combining Protection and Agility
Proper lower body protection is crucial for goalies facing high-velocity shots. Let’s examine a top choice for 2021:
Shock Doctor Lax: Comprehensive Lower Body Safety
Shock Doctor Lax goalie pants offer excellent protection for the lower body while maintaining flexibility. Notable features include:
- Strategically placed padding for vital areas
- Moisture-wicking fabric for comfort during intense play
- Flexible design to allow full range of motion
- Durable construction for long-lasting use
How do these pants enhance a goalie’s performance? By providing comprehensive protection without restricting movement, Shock Doctor Lax pants allow goalies to confidently face shots while maintaining the agility needed for quick reactions.
Helmets: Prioritizing Head Safety
A high-quality helmet is non-negotiable for lacrosse goalies. Let’s explore one of the best options available:
Cascade CPX-R: Advanced Protection and Comfort
The Cascade CPX-R helmet is a popular choice among lacrosse goalies for its combination of safety features and comfort. Key attributes include:
- Seven Technology liner system for superior impact absorption
- Adjustable jaw pad system for a custom fit
- Strategic ventilation for improved airflow
- Wide field of vision to enhance situational awareness
How does this helmet contribute to a goalie’s overall performance? By providing exceptional protection, comfort, and visibility, the Cascade CPX-R allows goalies to focus on their game without worrying about head safety.
Cleats: Ensuring Stability and Agility
While not goalie-specific, proper cleats are essential for maintaining stability and quick movements in the crease. Let’s examine a top option:
New Balance Freeze: Traction and Support
The New Balance Freeze cleats offer excellent performance for lacrosse goalies. Notable features include:
- Aggressive cleat pattern for optimal traction
- Lightweight design for quick movements
- Supportive upper for ankle stability
- Cushioned midsole for comfort during long games
How do these cleats enhance a goalie’s performance? By providing superior traction and support, the New Balance Freeze allows goalies to maintain proper positioning and make quick lateral movements with confidence.
Choosing the Right Gear: Factors to Consider
When selecting lacrosse goalie gear, several factors should be taken into account:
- Level of play (youth, high school, college, professional)
- Personal preferences for fit and feel
- Budget constraints
- Specific league or team requirements
- Durability and long-term value
How can goalies balance these factors when making equipment decisions? It’s important to prioritize safety and performance while considering personal comfort and budget. Trying on equipment and seeking advice from experienced players or coaches can help in making informed choices.
Maintenance and Care: Prolonging Equipment Life
Proper care and maintenance of lacrosse goalie gear is essential for ensuring longevity and consistent performance. Here are some tips:
- Clean gear regularly to prevent odor and bacterial growth
- Allow equipment to dry thoroughly after each use
- Inspect gear for wear and tear, replacing as necessary
- Store equipment in a cool, dry place
- Follow manufacturer guidelines for specific care instructions
How does proper maintenance impact a goalie’s performance? Well-maintained gear not only lasts longer but also performs more consistently, allowing goalies to focus on their game without worrying about equipment failures.
The Impact of Technology on Lacrosse Goalie Gear
Advancements in materials and design have significantly improved lacrosse goalie equipment in recent years. Some notable technological innovations include:
- Moisture-wicking fabrics for improved comfort
- Advanced impact-absorbing foams for better protection
- Lightweight materials that don’t compromise on durability
- Ergonomic designs for enhanced mobility and fit
- Antimicrobial treatments to combat odor and bacteria
How have these technological advancements benefited lacrosse goalies? The integration of innovative materials and designs has resulted in gear that offers superior protection, comfort, and performance, allowing goalies to play with greater confidence and effectiveness.
Customization Options for Lacrosse Goalie Gear
Many manufacturers offer customization options for lacrosse goalie equipment, allowing players to personalize their gear. Some common customization options include:
- Color schemes to match team uniforms
- Name and number embroidery on gloves and pads
- Custom graphics for helmets
- Adjustable components for a more personalized fit
- Specialized padding configurations based on individual preferences
How does customization impact a goalie’s performance and mindset? While customization doesn’t directly affect performance, personalized gear can boost a goalie’s confidence and team spirit, potentially leading to improved play on the field.
The Role of Proper Fit in Goalie Equipment Effectiveness
Ensuring that all gear fits properly is crucial for lacrosse goalies. Ill-fitting equipment can compromise both protection and performance. Consider the following when evaluating fit:
- Gloves should allow for dexterity while providing full coverage
- Chest protectors should fit snugly without restricting arm movement
- Helmets must be secure without causing discomfort
- Pants should allow for a full range of motion while protecting vital areas
- Cleats should provide a balance of support and flexibility
How does proper fit contribute to a goalie’s overall performance? Well-fitting gear allows goalies to move naturally and react quickly without being distracted by discomfort or worrying about exposed areas, ultimately leading to better saves and more confident play.
Balancing Cost and Quality in Lacrosse Goalie Equipment
While high-end gear often offers superior performance and protection, it’s not always necessary or feasible for every player to invest in top-of-the-line equipment. Consider the following when balancing cost and quality:
- Prioritize protection for the most vulnerable areas (head, chest, hands)
- Look for sales or previous year’s models for discounts on quality gear
- Consider durability and long-term value when making purchases
- Invest in key pieces (like helmets and chest protectors) while economizing on others
- Explore gently used equipment options from reputable sources
How can goalies make smart decisions when working with a limited budget? By prioritizing essential protective gear and carefully researching options, goalies can find a balance between cost and quality that meets their needs without breaking the bank.
The Importance of Regular Equipment Checks and Replacements
Regularly inspecting and replacing lacrosse goalie gear is crucial for maintaining optimal protection and performance. Consider the following guidelines:
- Inspect all equipment before each practice and game
- Replace any gear showing signs of significant wear or damage
- Pay special attention to helmets, which may need replacement after significant impacts
- Consider replacing gloves and pads annually, depending on usage and wear
- Keep spare parts (like helmet straps or chest protector padding) on hand for quick repairs
How does regular equipment maintenance contribute to a goalie’s safety and performance? By ensuring that all gear is in top condition, goalies can play with confidence, knowing they have reliable protection that won’t fail them during crucial moments in a game.
Adapting Goalie Gear for Different Playing Conditions
Lacrosse goalies may need to adjust their equipment based on various playing conditions. Consider the following adaptations:
- Use moisture-wicking base layers in hot weather to manage sweat
- Opt for waterproof or water-resistant gear for rainy conditions
- Consider lighter-weight options for indoor play
- Use grip-enhancing products on gloves and sticks for wet conditions
- Adjust cleat length based on field conditions (e.g., longer cleats for soft turf)
How can goalies effectively adapt their gear to different playing environments? By being prepared with the right equipment modifications, goalies can maintain peak performance regardless of weather or field conditions, giving them an edge in any game situation.
The Future of Lacrosse Goalie Equipment: Emerging Trends and Innovations
As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see further improvements in lacrosse goalie gear. Some potential future developments include:
- Smart fabrics that actively regulate temperature and moisture
- Advanced impact-sensing technology to monitor and prevent injuries
- 3D-printed custom equipment for perfect fit and protection
- Lightweight, high-strength materials derived from aerospace technology
- Integrated performance tracking sensors in sticks and pads
How might these innovations shape the future of lacrosse goalie play? As equipment becomes more advanced, goalies may benefit from enhanced protection, improved comfort, and data-driven insights to refine their technique and performance on the field.
Best Lacrosse Goalie Gear of 2021
Lacrosse goalies are the backbone of the game! And You always nee dot choose best Goalie gear ?
They are always making crazy saves on the field, getting pelted with high speed shots, and putting their body on the line in every game.
To be honest,
Being a lacrosse goalie requires you to be tough, both physically & mentally.
You must be physically strong enough to take the force of strong shots by offending the team. Also, you must be mentally tough to not lose your nerves when you see your opponent coming for you.
The position of a goalie requires you to wear special equipment that will help protect you from fast moving lacrosse balls.
So, getting the right lacrosse goalie gear is very important
But buying the top of the line isn’t always an affordable option, you must look for plenty of styles of the different gears which will make sure you’re safe and moving freely on the field.
Here’s our favourite Lacrosse Goalie Gear 2021
Best Gloves :Maverik M3 Gloves
Best Stick : STX Eclipse Prestrung
Best Chest Pad : STX Shield 500
Best Pants : Shock Doctor Lax
Best Helmet : Cascade CPX-R
Best Cleats : New Blance Freeze
1. Best Lacrosse Goalie Gloves
The Goalie gloves are different from the gloves of a field player.
Because of the nature of position of the goalie, their gloves have a reinforced thumb pad and fingers, whereas the field players do not. This padding reduces the chance of thumb getting injured by getting hit on the hands.
The pads present in the thumb and finger part of the glove helps to break the extent of force with which a ball is thrown at them.
#1. Maverik M3 Gloves
If you’re one of those goalies looking for high performing gloves in every aspect possible, Maverik M3 Glove is the one for you.
These are totally different from other maverik gloves. M3 goalie gloves come with a Traditional fit & additional volume for fingers allows for extra comfort & flexibility.
These Gloves are very soft and have a natural feel with Ax Suede. And the inhaler mesh palm allows for more airflow through it.
Available in 4 attractive colours: Black, Red, Royal & White in Medium & Large sizing.
Product Key Features
- Traditional Fit Profile : Maverik M3 Gloves is built on a more traditional fit profile with some additional volume in the fingers. This adds more protection and safety to the goalies.
- 37.5 Technology Liner : No Goalie Wants to play with dirty & sweaty gloves. The 37.5 Technology liner helps to evaporate the sweat and heat from within the gloves. This unique feature of the gloves makes them smell fresh and remain dry throughout the game.
- Soft & Durable : These gloves are crafted with AX Suede which makes them soft and very natural to feel on hands.
Also this ensures high durability of the gloves. - More Airflow : If your gloves get sweaty then hands will slip very easily. The inhaler mesh palms allow air to pass through the gloves & eliminates the problem of slipping from sweat.
Also this ensures high durability of the gloves.#2. Brine King 5 Lacrosse Goalie Gloves
Brine King Superlight lacrosse goalie glove is a lightweight glove that won’t get in your way or compromise on protection.
These have water resistant lining that keeps the gloves dry in any weather condition.
Also the hydrophobic lining keeps these goalie gloves free from unwanted sweat and it’s gross smell. Flexibility of these gloves ensures protection throughout the game.
Product Key Features
- TruVents : The Truvents technology helps to increase the ventilation to the backhand of the gloves. And this keeps you cool even when the weather is blazing hot.
- Textured Nash Palm : These gloves have Textured Nash Palms which provide an improved feel of the stick to give you more controlled and firm grip on it. It also increases the goalie’s confidence in the game.
- Floating Cuff : The Floating cuff around the wrist of this glove gives you a protective advantage during the aggressive faceoffs or while scooping the ground balls.
It also increases the goalie’s confidence in the game.#3. Warrior Regulator 2 Lacrosse Goalie Gloves
With Warrior Regulator 2 goalie gloves you can feel so good even when you are stopping bone crushing shots.
These gloves are designed with padding that absorbs high impact shots and redirects that force away from your hands.
AX Suede palm is a thin in design which is a single layer of incredible touch to the goalie’s hands. Comes with decent protection as well as comfort.
Product Key Features
- New Lock Thumb Lock : The Warrior Regulator 2 has a New Lock Thumb which easily withstand highly aggressive shots. It comes with high impact foam which absorbs the force from hard hits.
- Bone Protection : The advanced Bone protection backhand and finger protection layer of the gloves ensures safety of the goalies and keeps them tension free on the field.
- AX Suede Palm : AX Suede palm is a thin, single layer which gives a soft and incredible feel to the player. And helps a lot in defending bone crushing shots.
#4. [Beginners] STX Shield Goalie Gloves
STX spent hours to come up with a perfect goalie glove for the younger players to improve their skills.
It has a flexible thumb guard with patent pending design made from a resin material which increases its strength and toughness.
These gloves have reduced length cuffs to increase mobility of the wrist and allows your hands to be free and fast on the field.
This is available in black color in 12inch size.
Product Key Features
- Fixed Thumb Guard : New fixed Thumb guard helps to maintain the hand safe from unwanted injuries. This advanced feature of the Shield gloves makes it the perfect glove for goalies.
- Extra Protection : Extra protection for the tip of the thumb is provided with this glove. It has a flexible thumb guard which offers toughness and mobility to all the goalies.
- Reinforced Protection : The Backhand of STX glove is a patent pending design made from a resin material which increases toughness and strength. This allows a goalie to defend many shots.
- Single Piece Nash Palm : The single piece Nash palm of the gloves is added for an improvised feel of stick. Also it has perforated holes which makes the gloves breathable and fresh.
It has a flexible thumb guard which offers toughness and mobility to all the goalies.2. The Best Lacrosse Goalie Sticks
The lacrosse goalie stick is very different from traditional lacrosse sticks used to play lacrosse. Larger lacrosse head allows easier saves. And lacrosse goalie shaft is shorter in length, around 40 inches which gives a goalie enough control and mobility. I
n earlier days, the sticks were made of wood or fiberglass. But nowadays the heads are synthetically made and shaft from aluminium. Checkout this high quality and cheapest sticks below:
#1.
STX Lacrosse Eclipse Goalie Complete Stick
Eclipse Goalie glove by STX has an updated sidewall geometry that provides increased stiffness without adding any weight.
New scoop design enhances the ground ball performance during the game.
A secure grip is provided with the help of ergonomic throat design. It is strung with 12-diamond semi-hard mesh and includes a 34 inch outlet platinum handle.
Product Key Features
- Increased Stiffness : The STX lacrosse eclipse goalie stick is made with updated sidewall geometry which increases the stiffness and strength of the string without adding weight.
- New Scoop Design : If you are looking to improve your ground skills then this stick is for you. The new scoop design provides enhanced ground ball performance.
- Ergonomic Throat Design : Another great thing about this product is it’s Ergonomic Throat Design. This helps a goalie to have a secure and firm grip on the sticks.
- Additional Sidewall Holes : An expanded array of pocket styles are provided with the help of additional sidewall holes present on this stick.
#2. Brine Eraser 2 Lacrosse Goalie Unstrung Head
Eraser 2 by Brine is the state-of-art goalie head. It is a redesigned and reengineered version of its kind. With this lacrosse head erase all your doubts.
Design of this head is always better than the previous ones and this is one of the top choices by Men and women players.
Sidewall of this head provides stiffness and added strength that every goalie needs. Available in white color.
Product Key Features
- Strategic Core-Tech Sidewall : The sidewall of this unstrung head is manufactured with Strategic Core-Tech which provides additional stiffness and strengths that goalies need during the game.
- Offset Sidewall : The offset sidewall present in this head improves accuracy and control while goalies are passing on the field.
- Available in 4 Ways : It is rare to find a lacrosse head available in multiple colors. This one exception is available in 4 colors.
#3. Warrior Nemesis 2 Lax Goalie Head
This is a pre launch of the warrior’s best selling goalie head of all time.
And it is the only one goalie head in the world to feature Warrior’s patented Flared sidewall which directs shots into the center of pocket.
The lax goalie head is made from super tough, durable nylon materials that can stand out even in blazing heat. Recommended by many happy users.
Product Key Features
- Best Selling Goalie Head : This is Warrior’s best selling goalie head of all time. It is made with high quality materials and loved by so many users from different places.
- Flared Face Design : The Flared face design of this head helps to push all the shots into the center of the pocket.
- Ultra Rugged Sidewall : The Ultra-rugged sidewall design of this head provides durability against the fastest shots coming toward a goalie.
3. Best Lacrosse Goalie Chest Protectors
Some of the Chest protectors come with an additional arm and shoulder protections just like shoulder pads but some do not. A Chest protector without an additional arm padding provides you more mobility. But if you are looking for more protection for younger players then you must go for the arm padding.
#1. Brine King Superlight Chest Protector
The Brine king Chest protector is just like the Brine Eraser Stick which has been around for a long time and also a reliable option.
This is a solid, comfortable and protective chest pad for goalies who needs extra performance without sacrificing mobility.
The new design of the pad helps to flex with your body which keeps you mobile during low saves or when you run outside the crease. And it is made up of high density impact absorbing foam.
Product Key Features
- Dual Density Construction : Brine King Superlight chest protector has Dual density construction with ICS sternum that provides improved impact protection for goalies.
- Multiple Break Construction : The Multiple Break Construction keeps it form fitting and always flexible. This is very helpful while a difficult save.
- Dual Vectro Strap : The Dual Vectro strap of this chest pad helps to keep it firm in the right place just as a goalie would like it.
#2. STX Sultra Girls Lax Goalie Protector
The STX Sultra Goalie protector is designed specifically for the female players.
This chest pad features stretch zones in the chest, shoulders and stomach area. And it has the option of a removable stomach and shoulder pads.
This pad is cut wider in the chest and shoulder to have more mobility during the game. And it is manufactured with an antimicrobial material to prevent bacteria from forming and to avoid smell.
Product Key Features
- Female Fit : STX Sultra is the first chest protector specifically made for female fit. It provides perfect protection without restricting free movements of female goalies in the game.
- Stretch Zones : Sultra chest protector features multiple stretch zones in the chest, shoulders and stomach area. Also, women specific sizing provides better fit than traditional chest pads.
- Customizable Protection : Yes, this pad has customizable protection as the stomach and shoulder pads are removable.
- Multiple Size & Colors : These Chest protectors are available in whooping 4 different sizes and 2 attractive colors.
It provides perfect protection without restricting free movements of female goalies in the game.#3. STX Shield 300 Goalie Chest Protector
The STX shield goalie protector is low price lax equipment but does its job perfectly for youth players.
It is STX only cardiac silhouette coverage of the mid-chest area. It comes with a floating chest plate which offers protection & mobility.
Also, the removable stomach pads and shoulder caps are provided for additional coverage and safety.
It has adjustable straps which ensures the player is feeling comfortable all the time.
Product Key Features
- Cardiac Silhouette : This is STX only cardiac silhouette coverage for the mid-chest area for protection that is needed for a goalie.
- Floating Chest Plate : The Floating chest protector ensures protection from impactful shots and also keeps a player mobile.
- Removable Stomach & Shoulder Pad : Additional coverage is provided with the help of Removable stomach and shoulder pads. This also makes the protector customizable as per player’s needs.
- Strap System : The Strap system of this chest protector offers adjustability just as a player needs according to his size and comfort.
#4. Shock Doctor Lacrosse Fit Compact Short
You can never ignore the safety of your special parts. So, Jock straps are very important.
Especially if you are a goalie then you must be ready to take those high speed shots.
That means protection must be your top priority.
ShockSkin 5-pad protection features integrated foam and fabric padding which is lightweight and breathable.
It has vented pads to protect and contour to the hips, thighs and tailbones. Also the cup lock system is extremely comfortable.
Product Key Features
- Leading Sports Protection Manufacturer : Shock Doctor is a leading Sports protection manufacturer that provides top performance and protection. It is worn by professional and college athletes worldwide.
- Ultimate Comfort & Protection : This compact shorts has Shockskin integrated fabric and vented foam pads which are secured by high frequency seams, moves and contour with the different body parts for ultimate comfort & protection.
- X-Fit Brief Cup Retention System : The much needed cup protection is provided by the cup retention system. It integrates a wraparound internal mesh or supporter for unparalleled comfort, fit and stability of proper cup position just as a player needs.
- Relaxed Fit : It is developed with an exclusive pattern for ideal anatomical fit without compression and ensuring maximum freedom of mobility.
- Impact Protection : An added shock protection is provided in critical areas. It also enhances primary gear coverage for hip, thigh and tailbone. And has a fabric that helps to remove moisture.
- Ultra Carbon Flex Cup : This provides advanced multi-stage impact protection which transfers shock away from vital areas. While flex curve design gets maximum comfort and fit.
4. Best Lacrosse Goalie Helmets
The best thing about lacrosse goalie helmets is they have the same specs and models as field players. So they are easily interchangeable. But you must add the throat protection to add more protection if you are a goalie.
#1. Cascade CPX-R Lacrosse Goalie Helmet
The Cascade CPX-R is the best lacrosse helmet in the market for both Goalies and Field players.
It features Seven Technology Liner system which transfers the energy throughout the helmet to reduce unwanted injuries.
This comes with a chin strap that keeps the helmet in place all the time. Available in white color and one size that fits all.
Product Key Features
- Impact Attenuation System : This helmet features a groundbreaking attenuation system. It helps in managing energy transfer after direct impact.
- Seven Technology Liner System : The Seven technology Liner system displaces energy within a few seconds. It helps to transfer the energy throughout the helmet and reduce the risk of injuries.
- Includes White Chin Strap : The white chin strap of the helmet keeps it in the right place without worry of getting off from the head of a player.
- One SIze Fits All : Yes, you heard it right. It comes in only one size which fits every lacrosse player without any doubt.
#2. Cascade CS Youth Lacrosse Goalie Helmet
The Cascade CS Youth goalie helmet comes with a throat protector, that too at an affordable price.
It has the most unique visor with a streamlined look. The helmet offers great comfortability and protection.
Especially designed for players under age 12 who are looking for lightweight and a protective helmet.
Great customer service is provided by the makers and gets shipped in no time.
Product Key Features
- Streamlined Look : This is a newer advancement of the lacrosse helmet, it has the most uniquely designed visor and shell combo which gives it a streamlined look.
- One Piece Shell Design : The One piece shell design to sweep the front shots and collisions on the helmets to avoid injuries.
- Polypropylene Foam : Cushion inside this lacrosse helmet is made up of Polypropylene foam that ensures much needed protection with comfort.
- Designed for Young Generation : This helmet is designed for players under age 12. It is lightweight and a safe option for the younger generation of laxers.
- Improves Visibility : As this comes in a mask design it improves player’s visibility on the field. It helps to save many shots with ease and comfort.
5. Lacrosse Goalie Cleats, Shoes & Pants
Some goalies prefer to run on the field with footwear that has cleats or not. So, you have got two options to choose from, best lax cleats or best lax shoes. It’s all your choice and preference, so go with what excites you the most.
Also, don’t forget the importance of lacrosse goalie pants, or griddles. This helps to keep your lower half protected from the fast shots. We have listed our favourite picks for you.
#1. New Balance Freeze Men’s Lacrosse Cleats
New balance freeze is the game’s first ever lacrosse specific cleat.
This 9.
9 oz cleat features one kind of quixrail plate built to support the extreme cuts a lacrosse player has on the field.
This cleat enables every player to cut harder with its exploweave saddle and full bootie tongue construction. If you want to be fast & achieve your goals, go for this one.
Product Key Features
- 100% Synthetic : The New Balance Cleats are designed with 100% synthetic material which makes it a must buy. It increases durability and accuracy on the field.
- Base Lugs : The Base lugs provided at the bottom provide an unparalleled underfoot traction and unmatched rotational release.
- Dual Density TPU Plate : Dual density TPU plate of this cleats offers the perfect combination of flexibility, stability and traction just as a laxer needs.
- Quixrail Plate : The cleats features Quixrail plate which delivers superior traction with lugs designed to mirror the extreme cuts taken by lacrosse players.
#2. Under Armour Highlight Women’s Lacrosse Cleats
Under Armour Women’s lacrosse cleats have the same intention as Men’s, to make all athletes better with their innovative design and comfort.
The supportive ankle of the cleats helps to maintain speed without being dragged down by heavy shoes.
The molded 4D foam footplates ensure the player’s comfort and mobility isn’t affected. This is a diverse product which is made for Men, Women and Youth as well.
Product Key Features
- Synthetic Sole : These cleats are manufactured with 100% Synthetic sole which offers great stability and easy mobility on the field. It makes the cleats highly durable.
- Lightweight Textile Upper : The Upper part of the cleat is made up of textile which is very lightweight. This is why the cleats are breathable & provides lockdown feel.
- Smooth Toe Box : Toe comfort is the must for any footwear, especially if you’re playing a highly active game like Lacrosse. These cleats have smooth synthetic material in the box that forms foot and gives maximum comfort.
- Molded 4D Foam Footbed : One of the best things about this is the molded 4D foam footbed conforms to the foot’s exact shape by eliminating possibilities of slippage and also reduces cleat pressure.
These cleats have smooth synthetic material in the box that forms foot and gives maximum comfort.#3. STX Lacrosse Breaker Goalie Pants
The STX Breaker Goalie Pants are special shock-stopping goalie pants that are made with low rebound foam.
Many goalies prefer these pants as an additional on the areas around your quads, hamstrings and jock area.
These lightweight pants are very helpful in making saves and still being protected from them. Suitable for both beginner and advanced laxers. Available in Small, Medium and Large size.
Product Key Features
- Form Fitting & Low Profile Spandex : These STX goalie pants have form fitting and low profile spandex with redesigned pad configuration which ensures better fit and breathability. So stop worrying about sweating too much.
- Low Rebound Foam : The shock stopping and low rebound foam are used to construct these pants. This feature helps to save aggressive shots without compromising safety.
- Fits All : As these pants are available in three different sizes which are Small, Medium & Large, they fit to all players.
So stop worrying about sweating too much.#4. Warrior Burn Lacrosse Leg Pads
Warrior Burn Leg Pads are spandex-type shorts that are worn just like regular shorts.
These has protective padding in the hips, quads, and outer area of the legs to protect from impactful shots during the game.
These lightweight leg pads are designed with VPS foam that offers much needed protection and flexibility. Available in small, medium and large sizes.
Product Key Features
- Spandex Type : The Warrior burn pads are a spandex type shorts that slide in just like regular shorts.
- Protective Padding : These have padding in the hips, quads and outer part of legs from shots. It also has a sleeve for the cup which ensures additional protection.
- Ultimate Flexibility : It has a Wartech compression fit that provides ultimate flexibility of movement with much needed comfort for the players.
- Lightweight VPS Foam : The lightweight VPS foam this pad acts as a protective layer for aggressive hits without weighing a player down.
Throat guards are the mandatory piece of lacrosse gear for a goalie. It is very important to wear throat guards that cover the neck completely to avoid serious injuries. Also, Lacrosse shin guards and elbow pads are optional gear pieces if you want protection in that specific area.
#1. Cascade Lacrosse Goalie Throat Guard
Cascade goalie throat guard is the top quality throat guard available in the market.
These are designed specifically for goalies, with tempered plastic throat guards attached to the helmet with screws and bolts.
This is one of the safest options available for you if protection is your topmost priority in the game.
Product Key Features
- Superior Throat Guard : Cascade lacrosse throat guard is the superior throat guard which can be attached to the helmet with screws & bolts. It doesn’t need straps unlike others.
- Safest Neck Guard : This is one of the safest lacrosse neck guards. It is least restrictive to the goalies which helps to keep moving without getting trapped under the chest protector.
- Easy Installation : The throat is easy and quick to install. Holes need to be drilled in case of few players. And it works the best protection.
#2. Brine Lacrosse Goalie Shin Guards
Shin guards are specifically used by female goaltenders and youth players.
These shin guards by Brine come in one size that fits all. It is easy to attach and detach as well.
Material of these guards doesn’t let sweat rest and is easy to clean in no time. This perfect gear if you are looking for a lightweight protection.
Product Key Features
- Flex-point hard shell plates : Maximum protection and improved comfort is provided by the Flex-point Hard shell plates.
- No Sweat : Don’t worry about sweating too much when you have these pads on. The sweat can be easily cleaned too.
- Low Profile Padding : The low profile padding of these pads on the shoes protects the ankle from injuries by wrapping around the leg.
#3. Brine Clutch Elbow Pad
Clutch means faster reaction time, this helps to react a player before the opponent makes the next move.
These Elbow pads by Brine are designed to keep you ahead of the defense.
These are anatomically fitting and lightweight pads made with latest technologies to improve protection and comfort for all the players.
Product Key Features
- Single Piece Construction : Flexible fit is provided with the single piece construction with Grid-flex.
- Compression Molded Foam : Compression molded foam allows to absorb extreme impacts without being too heavy.
- Ventilator Stretch Sleeve : Ventilator stretch sleeve of the elbow pads provides superior fit and comfort and flexibility. It also keeps the pad dry.
#4. Shock Doctor Lacrosse MouthGuard
This Gel Max Mouthguard offers best protection and comfort with a convertible tether that helps to use it as strapped or strapless.
The triple player mouthguard is an all-round performer and perfect for all ages.
With advanced protection it also ensures easy breathing with it’s intelligent construction. Available in more than 10 attractive colors.
Product Key Features
- Custom Comfort & Fit : Get fit liner technology is easy to fit and the mold forms are designed specifically for your teeth and gums. It provides a comfortable fit available in a variety of colors.
- Breathable : The mouthguard comes with integrated breathing channels which makes it easy to breathe and still maximizes its performance.
- Professional Dental Protection : No one wants to break their teeth while defending powerful strokes by attackmen. This mouthguard esnures Professional dental protection so you can come out of the field with a wide smile on your face.
It provides a comfortable fit available in a variety of colors.Buying Guide – The Best Lacrosse Goalie Gear 2021
Lacrosse goalies are one of the most athletic players on the field. So in order to take advantage of that athleticism , you must have an equipment that is going to protect you, work with you and keep you moving.
The latest advancement in lacrosse equipment has made it more advanced, so they aren’t bulky or restrictive as before.
That means now protection doesn’t need to be heavy or restrictive for the crease goalies moving on the field.
Men’s mandatory protective equipment doesn’t differ much from the women’s, but the most important equipment like the helmet, throat guard, chest protector and sticks are the most essential to have for all levels of players.
- Goalie Gloves
- Goalie Sticks & Heads
- Chest Protectors
- Goalie Helmets
- Goalie Footwear & Pants
- Throat Guards, Shin Guards, Elbow Pads, Pants & Jock Pads
[VIDEO] British Guy Explains the Essential Lacrosse Goalie Gear
Best Lacrosse Goalie Equipment: The Final Word
The Best Lacrosse goalie gear depends on the individual. For some goalies, flexibility on the field is top priority, and for others stiffness in the equipment is what works.
So you have to try it on and then choose the one.
Lacrosse goalie equipment can feel restrictive when you start with them as a beginner. But it must be broken in first to use it properly. A Player’s satisfaction is what matters while choosing a gear equipment. Yes, comfort and flexibility are important factors, but you shouldn’t choose anything unless you have tried it on.
So go with the equipment that allows you to play your best without any fear and second thoughts of getting injured or missing the shots.
The Best equipment is the one that keeps you protected all the time and is reliable for the position you play in the game.
Choose the one that builds up your confidence and makes you play like a Beast ! and that’s wrap for best lacrosse goalie gears!
Top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads
Best Lacrosse Heads will be one of attractive topics that many lacrosse players love it! What is the best lacrosse head set for you? There are many more choices available and in actuality, there is plenty of fantastic excellent lacrosse heads that astonishingly might not cost as much as you believe and help elevate your game.
Best Lacrosse Heads
Normally, the width and size of your lacrosse thoughts depend upon your position in addition to your ability level. I usually always get asked is it worth investing more than 300 to get a brand new lacrosse head? The solution is that it really depends upon how much you perform and how serious you’re on your lacrosse.
Why should you use these Best Lacrosse Heads?
In the midst of the market of products from many big and small brands, you will not know which type of Best Lacrosse Heads to choose. Will you buy a poor quality product and at what price? Those are the criteria that you will consider and think about when preparing to buy a product. Don’t buy a product at a high price and get nothing in return. But anyway, below are the criteria that we consider when experiencing the best lacrosse Heads .
- Price: The first thing that many customers will think of right away is how to own a product at the right price. Because they don’t want to buy a high-priced Heads that can only be used for a few days. Wouldn’t it be frustrating if you bought such a product? We’ve picked out the Best Lacrosse Heads at prices to suit a variety of budgets.
- Brands: In this list are the 12 best products from various brands that are very popular in the
- market. These are all well-regarded brands for quality and reliability.
Material: These Best Lacrosse Heads are mostly made of durable and water resistant fabric or textile. They are guaranteed for the durability and longevity of the product. - Quality: As mentioned above, Heads with guaranteed, durable materials will help you more confident in the quality of the product. In addition, when choosing reviews, Gondeee always prioritizes Amazon’s top-selling products, as well as having a large amount of user interaction. All have received fairly high star scores and satisfaction and good reviews of products on the web. In addition, the effectiveness of the product is also by its convenience. Because you can have a lot of products in there, not just sticks. Is that helpful
- Appearance: Certainly the products have a sense of design. Usually, the products from this brand all have in common the modern, beautiful and attractive design. Right from the first time, you will “fall in love” right away and be ready to spend money on them.
Because they don’t want to buy a high-priced Heads that can only be used for a few days. Wouldn’t it be frustrating if you bought such a product? We’ve picked out the Best Lacrosse Heads at prices to suit a variety of budgets.
Because you can have a lot of products in there, not just sticks. Is that helpful
All in all, the Best Lacrosse Heads below are one of the famous Lacrosse Head and you should try it at least once. If you are a Lacrosse player and interested in Lacrosse Heads, refer to the list of 6 Best Lacrosse Heads below, you will find your best one.
List Of 6 Best Lacrosse Heads – Review In 2021
From the list above, Gondee hopes that you will find a truly fit pair of cleats for your own to enjoy every Lacrosse Match. The most important thing when choosing a pair of heads are is suitable, durable and experiences when using. So remember to measure your feet first and choose which one fit you the most from here.
Peace and goodluck !
1. Brine Houdini Unstrung Lacrosse Head
Brine Houdini Unstrung Lacrosse Head is the first product on the list of Top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads that we would like to recommend to you right now.
Pro-Pinch coupled with TruOffset provides exceptional ball control and enhanced precision on challenging shots. Quad-Cross sidewall layout makes for the best balance between stiffness and lightweight.
Injection molded having a durable matte finish. Scoop designed especially for catching rapid passes and simple ground-ball pickups.
2. Brine Clutch Elite Lacrosse Head
Next, we want to give you the next spots on our Top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads list that we really like. You can refer to Brine Clutch Elite Lacrosse Head. It is the next product on the list of Top 12 Best Defensive Lacrosse Heads that we want to recommend to you right now.
CORE-TECH sidewall design Gradually churns out weight without sacrificing stiffness.
Lighter then the Clutch II and Stiffer than the Clutch Superlight. Sidewall holes push for a deeper pair pocket along with increased release station.
3. Brine Lacrosse Epic 2 Head, Strung with TXP Pocket
Next, we want to give you the next spots on our Top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads list that we really like. You can refer to Brine Lacrosse Epic 2 Head, Strung with TXP Pocket.
Tail drop technology offers ultimate protection when taking the ball. A slick sidewall style that enhances control angles while decreasing weight. U-scoop which permits precision and groundball pickup simplicity. Meets US lacrosse specifications.
4. Warrior Nemesis Goalie Unstrung Lacrosse Head
Next, we want to give you the next spots on our Top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads list that we really like. You can refer to Warrior Nemesis Goalie Unstrung Lacrosse Head.
Prelaunch of all Warrior’s best selling goalie mind of time.
The single goalie head from the world to feature Warrior’s patented Flared Sidewall which sends shots to the middle of their pocket. Produced of super-tough, durable nylon materials that could stand out to a significant heat.
5. String King Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick with Head & Shaft (Assorted Colors)
Next, we want to give you the next spots on our Top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads list that we really like. You can refer to String King Complete Attack Lacrosse Stick with Head & Shaft (Assorted Colors).
Prepared to maneuver and catch with no alterations or replacements. Without a break-in time demanded, players may enjoy the game straight away. The single complete lacrosse stick you will see on childhood clinic areas and at Major League Lacrosse games. An innovative lacrosse stick for an entry level cost.
Every portion of this StringKing Complete Lacrosse Stick is designed to work together, and make sure the best balance of durability, weight, and functionality.
Your lacrosse stick is simply as good as its elements. Every portion of this StringKing Total lacrosse stick was thoroughly designed, engineered, and made to carry out.
6. East Coast Dyes Rebel Defense Unstrung Lacrosse Head
Next, we want to give you the next spots on our Top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads list that we really like. You can refer to East Coast Dyes Rebel Defense Unstrung Lacrosse Head. The Rebel Defense is developed to throw penalizing checks, dominate ground balls, and flame blistering shots.
The curved scoop functions as a manual making groundballs a snap from any angle onto any surface. The Rebel Defense includes a tighter face contour having a more competitive pinch, and that means you are always a danger.
Tips to choose Best Lacrosse Heads?
If you are still confused about choosing your Best Lacrosse Heads after reading a list of the top 6 Best Lacrosse Heads above, you should check the elements below and compare it with the products above.
It can help you sort out, and give you the best choice.
Step 1: Choose the Heads according to what you will use them for.
Think about what accessories you need to prepare before going to the field. And how many compartments are needed to hold those accessories. From the number of accessories, you will be able to find a Heads with the number of compartments that suits you.
Step 2: Determine the weight of the Best Lacrosse Heads you intend to choose.
People with average health should not choose heads whose weight exceeds their limit.
Step 3: Choose the design
This is the next step in our basic guide. The fact that no one chooses any item that will not suit their style. Fashion will increase the confidence you have. So, in a long term, it helps you a lot in each move and also increases your motivation.
Step 4: Pay attention to the material
The right, soft and durable material will be a great choice for you.
These are 4 steps that will help you to think about how to choose the Best Lacrosse Heads. It just a big imagined picture, so you should confirm the detail based on our guide step by step.
Conclusion
Getting a new lacrosse head is a glorious event and makes any participant excited for the season to start. Picking the lax head that’s ideal for you is essential, try not to be swayed by your buddy buys, and don’t hesitate to try out something you might not normally try. A few lacrosse sticks are built for specific positional players, and certainly, defensemen should not buy an attack head just because each of their teammates has it.
It’s possible to find some advice from your coaches too as they will have the ability to help you to find your perfect stick. Purchase the head that is right for you to get the most value for your money. When you are in a position to throw checks, create sharp, clean feeds, or win draw after draw, you’ll be glad you did your own research rather than purchasing the best lacrosse head that simply seems the coolest!
8 Best Goalie Masks | Goalie Masks 2021 Review
Nobody likes to get nailed in the head with a hockey puck but we all know goaltenders are an odd breed. If you are going to volunteer to face 100 mile-per-hour slapshots all game long as well as in practice you better make sure you’re well covered.
Along with maximum protection you also need to make sure the mask offers unimpeded sight lines as well as the ultimate in comfort and fit.
Just remember, if the goalie mask doesn’t fit properly or slips and slides while on your head it won’t be able to offer the right amount of protection needed.
Below is a list of seven magnificent senior goalie masks currently available.
SHORT ON TIME? Here are our picks.
Best Overall Goalie Mask
BAUER NME VTX
If you’re an elite goalie and you’re looking for a mask that has the latest and greatest advancements in safety, comfort and durabilty. We found the best OVERALL goalie mask is the Bauer NME VTX.
Buy in USA
Buy in Canada
1) Bauer NME IX Goalie Mask – Senior
Overview
This newer model goalie mask by Bauer is one of the lightest you’ll find but it doesn’t sacrifice any protection and comfort at all. It’s an extremely well-designed and built mask and worth every penny.
There are three different lightweight foams in the inside liner and they’re located in the most crucial impact areas of the mask for excellent protection coverage. The shell is constructed with a mixture of powerful epoxy and fibreglass to better dampen impacts.
The cage is constructed with durable stainless steel which is reinforced and the mask is designed to fit a variety of head shapes and sizes with its four separate fit-profiles.
All features are fully adjustable which makes it easy to fit to your head for ultimate comfort. The soft sweatband features an anti-microbial thermo-core design which does a fantastic job of keeping moisture and sweat from running down your head and containing odours at the same time. An extra sweatband is also included along with a padded helmet bag.
The Bauer NME IX Goalie Mask is perfect for intermediate to advanced-level goalies and is fully certified by the CSA, HECC, and CE.
The mask is second to none when it comes to design, fit, comfort, durability and protection and could be considered a steal in the mid-to-upper price range.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
Click here for lowest price available in Canada
2) CCM AXIS Pro Goalie Mask – Senior
Overview
The Axis Pro Certified Goalie Mask from CCM is a new lightweight straight-bar model which offers elite-level protection and comfort for competitive netminders. This high-tech mask features CCM’s Sigmatex pro carbon fibre design and construction for durability and strength. The company also uses its Fluid Inside system which strategically places protective gel pods in the high-impact areas inside the mask.
It has protective D30 sensitive smart foams and a soft liner to keep everything together with the foam hardening upon impact to help absorb and dissipate the shock. The straight flat bar cage is made of strong stainless steel and provides excellent protection and visibility. This mask uses a five-point adjustable harness system in the back plate for a secure fit and comes with a triple-density foam chin cup.
Sweat and moisture is effectively handled via the breathable comfort foam and mesh sweatband. The CCM Axis Pro Certified Mask comes in several sizes with the senior medium model weighing 2.8 lbs and also comes with a padded bag for the mask. This newly-released mask can be found in the upper-price range.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
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3) Bauer NME VTX Goalie Mask – Senior
Overview
The NME VTX goalie mask by Bauer is designed for those who take their hockey seriously and are looking for top-of-the-line protection, durability, and comfort all in one lightweight package.
This is regarded as one of the most technologically-advanced masks available and the cost reflects the superior craftsmanship that has gone into it. The mask has a wide face and crown for comfort and is designed to comfortably and securely fit several sizes and shapes of heads.
The liner consists of moulded foams while the shell is constructed with hard but light composite materials. The mask can take a lot of abuse and wear and tear while providing you with the ultimate in protection from pro-level shots and other impacts.
The metal chin is reinforced and it comes with a solid outer edge wrap to help fight off chipping. You can see as clear as day through the hybrid-style wire cage while the high-quality sweatband keeps you cool and dry at all times.
The Bauer NME VTX mask comes with an extra sweatband as well as a helmet bag. It’s one of the safest and strongest masks on the market.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
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4) Bauer Profile 950 X Goalie Mask – Senior
Overview
The 950X Goalie Mask by Bauer is another popular straight-bar model which has been certified by the HECC, CSA and CE. This lightweight model features a tough fibreglass base with reinforced carbon and Kevlar for added strength and is then wrapped with 12K carbon for even more durability. It also comes with carbon around the edges to help stop it from chipping.
The interior of the mask is equipped with soft XRD and VN foams in the high-impact area to help relieve pressure and increase your comfort level. The liner has been mechanically attached which allows you to remove the screws and padding while the ventilation holes help keep you calm, cool and collected while making remarkable saves.
The durable cage is made with lightweight stainless to fight off rust and provides the best possible vision without sacrificing protection.
There’s an adjustable nylon chin strap and a five-point harness adjustment to enable a perfect fit for the shape of your head. The Bauer 950X Goalie mask comes with a mask bag and extra sweatband and weighs 3.05 lbs. It can be found in the mid to high-price range.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
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5) CCM AXIS 1.5 Goalie Mask -Senior
Overview
CCM’s AXIS 1.5 Goalie Mask is constructed with a strong but lightweight polycarbonate shell with the inside being outfitted with a comfortable VN foam liner.
The mask may be aimed at beginner to intermediate-level players but it comes with a good level of both protection and comfort. The wire cage is built of durable carbon steel and offers excellent sight lines with its straight-bar design.
As an option, the straight-bar cage can be swapped for a cat-eye style of cage. The mask’s chin cup is very supportable and constructed with foam while the sweatband in the forehead area consists of soft terry cloth material and does a fine job of keeping you dry and cool. The sweatband can also be easily and quickly removed when it needs to be washed.
This goalie mask comes with CE, CSA and HECC certifications due to its superior level of protection. The CCM AXIS 1.5 goalie mask is excellent at absorbing impacts and offers quite a lot for its mid-range price level.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
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6) Bauer Profile 930 Goalie Mask – Senior
Overview
The new Bauer Profile 930 Goalie Mask is ideal for intermediate level players of all ages as it offers a great deal of value for the price. This certified model provides plenty of comfort and protection with its strong Lexan EXL shell and soft VN foam liner as it’s designed to eliminate ringing and vibrations upon impact.
In addition, the strong stainless steel cage has been made to enhance your vision while the cotton sweatband manages to keep moisture out of your eyes when the action gets heated. The mask also has ventilation holes and an adjustable nylon chin strap. The back plate comes with a convenient, adjustable five-point harness technique for protection and comfort for the back of the head.
The Bauer Profile 930 Goalie Mask features a mask bag and extra cloth sweatband. It can be found in various sizes with the senior small and medium models weighing in at 2.46 lbs. And best of all, this mask can typically be found on the lower-price scale.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
Click here for lowest price available in Canada
7) Bauer Profile 960 Goalie Mask
Overview
The distinguishable Bauer Profile 960 Goalie Mask is made with a lightweight fibreglass base with layers of carbon for added protection in the high-impact spots. The mask is then wrapped a 12K carbon outer layer. The straight-bar steel cage has a rubber strip along the forehead for comfort while the back plate harness attaches below the ears for a snug and secure fit.
The inside features XRD foam padding along with ventilated and breathable VN Foam to help fight off sweat buildup, bacteria and odours. In addition, there’s also a sweatband to keep you cool and comfortable while making sure your eyes stay clear and dry. The mask is one of Bauer’s most popular models due to its versatility and durability.
The innovative Bauer Profile 960 Goalie Mask offer plenty professional-level protection for netminders of all skill levels and ages. It comes in several sizes and can typically be found in the mid to high-price range.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
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8) Warrior Ritual F1 Pro Goalie Mask – Senior
The new certified Warrior Ritual F1 Pro Goalie Mask has quickly become popular with top-level netminders due to its light weight and optimum visibility, comfort and protection. The shell is constructed with strong and durable minimus carbon G1200 while the X-foam padded liner does a fine job of dispersing the shock and vibrations of impacts.
The mask also features Warrior’s OMNIshock+ technology which provides dual-density moulded foams and provides a superb fit by eliminating pressure points and reducing wasted space. The square-shaped cage is made with tough stainless steel with a soft and adjustable Styrofoam chin cup. Your eyes are kept clear and dry due to the Polygiene sweatband which wicks away sweat end eliminates odours.
The Warrior Ritual F1 Pro Goalie Mask s outfitted with an invisible strap system in the back plate and comes with a padded mask bag. It’s a fine pro-level mask which can be found in three different sizes and comes in the upper-level price range.
Click here for lowest price available in USA
Click here for lowest price available in Canada
Best Goalie Mask Accessories
Best Helmet Repair Kit
A&R HOCKEY HELMET REPAIR KIT
Compatible with ALL brands and sizes.
Contains: 2 Dome screws, 2 Clips, 2 Cage Clips, 2 Helmets Buckles, 4 Short Black Nuts, 2 Long Screws, 4 Short Screws and a Phillips Head Screwdriver.
See on Amazon
No Sweat – Hockey Helmet Liner
The NoSweat Helmet Liner seals in sweat from your helmet to keep you cool and dry and performing at your best. Patented Sweat-Lock technology instantly absorbs and wicks sweat to keep it out of your eyes, while your helmet looks and smells like new.
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Best Hockey Sweatband
With the Temple Tape sweatband, we promise you that you can play hockey without worrying about your hair or sweat getting in your face. Our moisture-wicking technology is 8x more effective than an ordinary cotton sweatband, so it’ll last you all game without feeling soaked.
See on Amazon
Other articles you may like:
Best Goalie Chest Protectors
Best Goalie Pads
Best Goalie Sticks
Frequently Asked Questions
When did goalies start wearing masks?
Goalies started to wear a mask on November 1st, 1959. The first-ever goalie mask was worn by Jacques Plante and the goalie mask designs were fsignificantly changed from then.
Are all goalie masks the same?
Not all goalie masks are the same, even though they are made of materials such as vinyl nitride, memory foam, or polypropylene foam which functions as a protector and absorbs the energy and reduces chances of concussion. There are full face and traditional coverage helmets, and it’s up to a player’s preference to choose which to wear.
Can I have a custom made goalie mask?
Usually, professional hockey players have custom made helmets with preferred design, but you can also have your own even though it might be four times more expensive than the helmet itself.
Conclusion
Thank you so much for checking our best goalie mask design list. Hopefully, it has been constructive for you and you found the ice hockey mask for you.
We know goalie masks are not the most popular amongst ice hockey fans simply because most people enjoy playing it, but certainly, if you are a goalie in any league you will find them important.
In our list, we have made a thorough research to provide you with different brands and styles so you can find the one that best fits your playstyle. There are many goalie masks out there and some of the most popular brands used in the NHL Season, such as Bauer and CCM.
That doesn’t really mean these are the best for your playstyle, but certainly, if NHL players use them, NHL Goalie masks are something to think about if you are looking for your best fit.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the best hockey goalie masks. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below. We enjoy hearing from you and will respond to your comments as quickly as possible.
Want to see our list of the best chest protectors? Check them out here.
Honest Hockey is a website dedicated to bringing you the best information and resources to improve your hockey game. We are dedicated to bringing you the highest quality hockey gear reviews and industry news so that you’re up to date and know which equipment is best for your goals.
Why Don’t Lacrosse Goalies Wear Pads?
When outsiders view our game for the first time on TV they typically have some common thoughts, especially when its comes to us goalies.
First, since lacrosse tends to be a high scoring sport they wonder if we ever make saves –
Hey @BarstoolJordie, new to this whole “watching lacrosse” thing. Do lacrosse goalies EVER make saves or are they just kinda there
— James Torgerson (@Torgy_77) May 29, 2017
Haha, yes James. We do make saves!
Second, they wonder why the lacrosse goalie doesn’t appear to be wearing many pads.
Who signs up to play lacrosse goalie? Zero pads.
— Jack Brezette (@jbreezy3) March 12, 2016
It’s true. Take a look at any lacrosse goalie, specially men’s high school and above and they’re very exposed. No leg pads, nothing on the arms, no shoulder protection, a fresh pallet for bruises just waiting to be painted by high speed shots.
So why is that the case? Why don’t lacrosse goalies wear pads?
In this post I want to dive into that question and then also discuss the current state of lacrosse goalie protection and make some predictions as to where I see lacrosse goalie protection going in the future.
Machismo and Tradition
I think the two biggest factors for the lack of pads on lacrosse goalies is machismo and tradition.
In the words of current MLL goalie Ryan LePlante:
“If I were to wear shin pads, I would get heckled the whole time.”
Right there is machismo and tradition tightly bundled into one nice quote.
Early lacrosse goalies wore very little padding and thus the game has a tradition of lacrosse goalies not being well protected.
With the game’s culture that way, many lacrosse goalies fear breaking that tradition for risk of being heckled, aka machismo. They’ve convinced themselves that pads will actually hurt their game versus improving their shot saving ability.
But the game has changed and tradition needs to change too in my opinion.
Consider this, before 1959 ice hockey goalies didn’t wear face masks. Until Jacques Plante grew tired of suffering broken noses and wore one in a game. And you better believe he got heckled for breaking tradition.
When early lacrosse goalies jumped into cage they wore essentially no pads as demonstrated by this shot in 1942 of a Navy cadet manning the goal. Clearly his team was “skins” that day.
Pretty crazy that he doesn’t wear any chest protection. But it becomes a little more understandable when you look at a crosse from that era of play.
I mean how fast could you realistically shoot with a wand like this?
Fast forward 65 years and the game of lacrosse has introduced – plastic heads, offset heads, titanium and ultra-light / strong shafts, deep pockets, mesh pockets, and pockets strung with ‘whip’.
All these technological advancements to lacrosse equipment have allowed shooters to rip it faster and more accurately.
In this study by Graham Walker, he compared shots with a traditional wood stick vs. a modern current plastic/composite stick.
With the modern stick the player averaged a 94 MPH with 80% accuracy (hit desired target 8/10 times). With the traditional wooden stick, the player averaged 64 MPH with 60% accuracy.
30MPH difference and more accurate! And that was with the same player using the two different sticks.
But as we know with today’s developments in sports science, weight training, and supplementation, lacrosse players are physically stronger and quicker than their historic counterparts. There’s no doubt today’s athletes can shoot faster even with the equipment of the 1940’s.
They’re more likely to look like this dude than the skinny twigs you see in old photos:
With the rise in lacrosse’s popularity and an increase in college scholarships, the sport is able to attract the top athletes, like the 6’5″ Myles Jones, that might have previously chosen to dominate another sport.
So the game of lacrosse has clearly changed from when our shirtless Navy goalie was in his prime but the tradition of lacrosse goalies not wearing any leg, arm, or shoulder protection is still very much alive.
And most goalies do not want to break tradition for reasons of machismo.
While most goalies will tell you that you get used to the bruises (and you do). The game of lacrosse is evolving such that these bruises are turning into more serious injuries.
And quite frankly I’m getting tired of seeing goalies go down with injuries from shots. Things like broken thumbs, broken toes, broken ribs, concussions, and shin splints. Injuries that should be preventable with the right protective equipment.
Less Pads = More Fear
Coach Christian Buck released a great video that all goalie coaches should watch.
It deals with the fear response for goalies when a player is about to rip a shot and I discussed it in depth on my post about how to get rid of fear for goalies.
Coach Buck outlines the 4 responses when goalies feel fear:
The chin tucks
The elbows come in
The knees turn inwards
The eyes squint
If you’re analyzing a goalie’s play and the first reaction to a shot is any of the above movements. Your goalie has a fear problem.
Here’s a textbook example of what I’m referring to. The goalie sets up in a great stance to save this 10 yard shot but when the shot is released: the chin tucks, the elbows come in, the knees turn inward, and we’ll just assume he’s squinting as well.
His stick literally comes in front of his body and face to instinctively protect himself.
Ice hockey goalies wear pads from head to toe and many (even beginners) describe a feeling of invincibility with all that padding. They know there’s basically no chance a shot will cause pain so they can focus on making a save with no fear.
Do you think the goalie above is feeling invincible?
Many lacrosse goalies and coaches alike think they have trouble stepping to the ball, like our friend above (notice no step to the shot?) You can preach – Step to the ball – all you like but until the goalie gets over his fear of the shot, the chin will tuck, the elbows will move in and the eyes will squint so he’ll never be able to step the ball.
Just to prove that this response is not unique to beginners, here’s a great NCAA goalie Alex Ready demonstrating some of the same characteristics on a shot.
So while many goalies will make the argument that they make more saves without pads, I tend to disagree.
I think the pads give goalies a feeling of protection and invincibility and that reduces the fear response allowing goalies to actually attack the shot and make more saves.
Debunking Excuses
When I talk to lacrosse goalies or peruse the lacrosse goalie forums I see a number of excuses as to why goalies don’t wear pads.
Pads slow me down
This is the most common and perhaps most valid argument for not wearing pads.
I will argue shin guards do not slow a goalie down one bit as they don’t cover a moving joint. With today’s soccer lightweight technology shin guards you hardly notice they are there.
Time yourself in a 40 yard dash with shin guards and without and you’ll see no difference.
Legs pads and arm pads are however a different story.
The Brine Ventilator goalie pants are the most flexible and comfortable option right now but still you definitely notice you’re wearing pads. Same with the football pants protection which is another great option.
For this I would say that what you lose in slower movement you gain in lack of fear. You cannot move to the ball if your body demonstrates the fear response. So getting that under control should be priority number 1 for goalies.
Many sports practice with resistance to quicken up the athlete when that resistance is removed.
Swimmers use resistance suits in the pool to purposely slow them down and even with my lacrosse goalies I love to throw on a pair of ankle or wrist weights as we go through our lacrosse goalie drills.
So practice in the pads to build your resistance to fear and also build up your speed. Then take them off when its time for the game.
Finally, football players don’t complain about their protection, it’s just part of the game that you have deal with. I think that’s how lacrosse goalie pads should be as well.
I’ll never wear shin pads, because they’ll aim there
I don’t really understand this argument but this is actually a quote from Ryan LaPlante.
So if you’re wearing shin pads and they aim at your shin pads, what’s the problem? Sounds like a save to me.
Seems like the problem would be exposed shins and shooters aiming there.
Either way, it’s a low shot and goalies should be experts at saving low shots anyways.
I give up rebounds with shin guards.
Your shin bones are way harder than a piece of plastic so this isn’t really a legit excuse.
Also, while goalies should prevent rebounds, rebounds are saves. Which is better than giving up a goal because you fear the ball.
At the end of the day, I think these excuses are just to keep with tradition and be tough. Goalies haven’t worn shin guards or leg padding in the past and any goalie (specifically male goalies) who blatantly flaunts a pair of shin guards will get heckled.
I need to be mobile to help with clears
True, lacrosse goalies should be involved in the clearing game. False, pads will slow you down to the point where you can’t run and help with the clear.
Listen, I’m not suggesting field lacrosse goalies use box lacrosse pads (that’s not even legal) so some shin guards and goalie pants won’t limit your movements so much that you become useless in the clearing game.
Extra Pads create bad habits
Some coaches believe that once a goalie has protection on their legs, they’ll simply stick their leg out to make a save like an ice hockey rather than using the proper technique of a lacrosse goalie.
This could be the case if the goalie doesn’t learn the fundamentals of making and create good save habits first.
Starting with learning the proper technique, then using tennis balls to train the muscle memory is a great method to ensure that goalies won’t resort to weird tactics once they pad themselves up.
If you find yourself with a habit of simply sticking out a leg, it’s time to get back to basics to break that bad habit.
Any other common excuses I missed? Leave me a comment down below.
Trending in the Direction of More Padding?
When I work with lots of youth goalies its often a struggle to get them to use additional padding. Its simply not part of the culture.
Until they start to see some of their goalie heroes in the NCAA and MLL use padding I don’t think it will catch on at the youth level.
Fortunately for the sake of youth goalie some college programs are actually moving in the direction of more padding.
The Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse team posted this on their Instagram showing how during practices they’re starting to protect goalies heads a little more.
That little device is called a Guardian cap and why wouldn’t you wear it during practice? Helps prevent head injuries and concussions that can knock a goalie out for awhile.
Day ☝ flow. #HHH
A photo posted by Syracuse Men’s Lacrosse (@cusemlax) on Jan 11, 2017 at 1:37pm PST
Interestingly enough, another former Syracuse goalie – Matt Palumb – was one of the first to use the football pants protection in the mainstream (word up STX Goalmaster!)
Lacrosse is evolving, why isn’t goalie protection?
In 65 years since our Navy cadet started in goal, the only additional piece of equipment a goalie uses is a chest protector?
So we have situations like Denver’s Ryan LePlante who throughout his collegiate career suffered broken knuckles, broken thumbs, cracked ribs, and shin splints from continually getting in the front of the legs.
Where are the matching advancements in lacrosse goalie technology?
Goalie gloves have added additional thumb protection but talk to most collegiate goalies and they’ll still regularly tell you stories of broken thumbs and other fingers.
Today’s goalie chest protectors have done a good job of adding reinforced heart plates to prevent deadly injuries and beefing up the rip protection and coverage to other areas. But most chest protectors still leave the shoulders exposed.
In my post on my wishlist for lacrosse goalies, you’ll notice that the majority of items have to do with better protection while maintaining flexibility and comfort.
Unfortunately I don’t have all the answers as to what’s needed in lacrosse goalie technology. But I do know there needs to be advancements in current protection equipment to improve the play and safety of today’s lacrosse goalies.
So where is lacrosse goalie equipment going?
It’s obviously hard to predict the future but here’s a few trends I see expanding in the years to come –
Additional head protection / Special goalie helmets
There’s a huge emphasis in sports right now to eliminate concussions. You see it in the lacrosse rule changes eliminating blind side hits and in the rule changes in other sports like the NFL.
We’re already seeing teams using the Guardian caps or a product like LexiShield to provide the goalie additional head protection.
Perhaps in the future we’ll see the lacrosse helmet manufacturers like Cascade, STX, and Warrior come out with a line of special goalie helmets that better match our needs.
Custom Mouth Guards
Like other goalies I never liked wearing a mouth guard. It simply interfered with my ability to communicate with the team.
Plus goalies rarely take hits outside the crease so what was the point?
Now the sports world has done studies showing that custom mouth guards help reduce concussions by absorbing shock, stabilizing the head and neck, and limiting movement cause by a direct shot the helmet (study here).
I hope we see a trend in goalies electing to use custom fitting mouth guards to help reduce head injuries from shots to the helmet.
Protection Over Mobility
Many goalies cite the need to be mobile as the reason they don’t want to use padding. Which I understand.
A lacrosse goalie essentially tries to “catch” every shot versus ice hockey or box lacrosse goalies who “block” shots with their excessive padding.
The field lacrosse goal at 6′ by 6′ is simply too big to use a “block” approach like the other goalies do in front of their smaller nets.
So a lacrosse goalie does need to be mobile.
D3O technology is starting to make its way into lacrosse protection gear. This material It’s a thin, flexible layer that moves with the body but then stiffens on impact.
I would love to see a line of neoprene sleeves for the arms and legs that come with the D3O technology built in.
I hope that’s in Warrior’s plans as I think it would provide goalies with mobility while still giving them the level of protection from shots to help alleviate the fear response we discussed above.
Conclusion
The idea for this post started when I read the question – why don’t lacrosse goalies wear pads?
It turns out to be a little complicated but hopefully 2200 words later you start to understand a little further.
At the simplest level I believe most don’t wear pads due to machismo and pure tradition. The culture of lacrosse is such that goalies don’t wear pads and those who do are ridiculed.
Goalies will make excuse after excuse as to why they’re actually better without the pads but I think the opposite is true. I think padding can give a goalie a feeling of invincibility and that helps eliminate fear and focus on making a save.
Lacrosse goalie technology has a long way to go but hopefully we start seeing advancements to keep our goalies safe!
Until next time! Coach Damon
What are your thoughts about lacrosse goalies and pads? Do you disagree with me on more padding? Please join the conversation by leaving a comment down below.
Are Avs doomed to playoff failure without big trade for a top-notch goalie?
C’mon, Joe Sakic. You know the Avalanche needs a top-quality goalie to win the Stanley Cup! The time is now to make a trade, because the way things are going for the Avs, they might not even make the playoffs, let alone compete the the Cup. Make a move! Now!
Ronald, icy hot
Kiz: While the staff here at Kickin’ It Headquarters has long questioned if Colorado can win the Cup with Philipp Grubauer as the team’s No. 1 goalie, it doesn’t appear there will be much of a trade market for net-minders in this pandemic-influenced season. Perhaps Phoenix might part with Antti Raanta, who looked stout making 44 saves in a recent game against the Avs. And it would be no shocker if Detroit trades our old friend Jonathan Bernier. But are either of those goalies significantly better than Grubauer? I say no.
I enjoyed your column taking Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich to task for not finding a productive first baseman. Bridich is a cancer to the organization, not just for his poor baseball judgment, but also because he seems to be such a demoralizing presence. It’s likely to be a long summer at Coors Field, but maybe that will be the catalyst to finally move Dick Monfort to make a change.
Jim, hoping for the best
Kiz: So you’re saying the best Rockies fans can do is root for this team to lose 100 games? Sounds like a plan.
Who’s on first base for the Rockies? Who cares? I know it’s hard searching for a column, but dwelling on where have Todd Helton and Andres Galarraga gone? That ain’t the problem. Focus your attention on the starting pitching, screaming at Dick Monfort and Bridich for the rest of this season. When was the last time the Rockies traded for a legit No. 1 starting pitcher? You know Monfort is too cheap to get that done. And you know better than anyone the top three reasons for all the Rockies’ mediocre seasons have been pitching, pitching and pitching.
Greg, throwing heat
Kiz: How much confidence do you have in Bridich trading shortstop Trevor Story for pitching, pitching and more quality pitching?
I’m not following the “Association” as closely as I used to. But when all high-quality NBA vets are released, aren’t they assigned to the Brooklyn Nets?
Tom, handsome dude
Kiz: Well, as we all know, LeBron James maintains right of first refusal on all disgruntled stars who want out of any NBA city. It’s good to be the King, who handpicks friends to sit at the cool kids’ table. As best I understand it, James Harden and Blake Griffin were allowed a move to hipster Brooklyn only because James didn’t want them as teammates in L.A.
And today’s parting shot was a reminder that the best stories in sports can often be discovered far away from the big arenas, big salaries and big crowds.
I admit I would not read about girls wrestling if the state championships weren’t happening in my home town of Pueblo. Who would’ve thought anyone could write a sensitive and interesting column about prep girls wrestling? Well done, Kiz.
Jerry, green chile aficionado
Hockey Goalies Are Too Big Now
The problem was right there on the screen: Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, 6 foot 3, 210 pounds, athletic, fit, one of the very best goalies in the NHL, in the handshake line after the Lightning had won an early-round series in last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs. From the side, his belly seeming to hang low in front of him, he looked like Humpty Dumpty.
This story is not about any particular goalie, but about the position itself and how it increasingly dominates the way hockey is played, and not for the right reasons. This story is about goalies and their equipment, and about how they’ve learned to use it. It is a story that has evolved very slowly, almost without change or notice for hockey’s first 100 years, then, since the 1980s, in actions initiated by goalies mostly, and counteractions by NHL regulators, players, and coaches, until today’s state of near-acceptance and resignation. It is not about fewer goals being scored: The total number per game doesn’t change much from year to year. And this season, in these early weeks, scoring is up slightly and save percentages are down, just as they were after other shortened NHL seasons. The less urgent tone of practice offers goalies little preparation for the jamming, bumping scrum of goalmouth action. The real and ongoing story is about how goals are scored in today’s NHL, and how teams have to play to score them.
Never in hockey’s history has a tail so wagged the dog.
A goalie’s equipment is big because a puck is hard, can be shot with great velocity, and can injure, sometimes seriously, an inadequately protected goalie. In most of hockey’s first century, heavy, stiff, wooden sticks limited a shot’s speed and lessened the need for goalies to have anything but rudimentary equipment. A goalie’s glove, as in baseball, began as something closer to an actual “glove,” and followed the contours of a hand. A leg pad followed the contours of a leg. Both were introduced to take away at least some of the sting of a catch or a block. The popularization of the slap shot in the 1960s, and the much lighter composite sticks that came later, changed all that. The goalie’s silhouette—for protection, of course—correspondingly ballooned. The size of the net has stayed the same.
This was only the beginning of the changes. The next ones were both less organic and less predictable. The principle of goaltending is to put as much of your body between the puck and the net as possible, as often as possible. For Vasilevskiy, who is 6 foot 5 on his skates, almost two and a half feet of his body mass resides above the bar, blocking nothing but useless air. But to bring all of his body below the bar would mean exposing his head to 100-mile-an-hour vulcanized-rubber projectiles. Getting hit in the face with a puck, at least until the advent of much more protective masks in the 1980s, always seemed a bad bargain. If you watch game footage from the 1970s or earlier, you’ll see that most goalies played in an upright “stand up” style, for safety if not for efficiency. But with new masks that protected the head as much as a catching glove does the hand, goalies could bring the rest of their body down to fill more of the net, especially if, instead of positioning themselves in their standard crouch, where one body part folds in front of another to cover space already covered, they extended their legs laterally to the lower corners of the net in what is called the “butterfly” style.
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Their equipment changed too. Pads that had been made of heavy leather, deer hair, and felt were replaced with nylon, plastic, and foam rubber. These lighter materials, which made the pads less awkward to move around in and less tiring to wear, could then also be made bigger. And bigger equipment, covering a body now in position below the bar, filled even more space.
The NHL’s regulators couldn’t help but notice the change. The equipment was just too big. Something had to be done. But when regulators argued for smaller gear, the goalies couldn’t help but fight back. They argued that every fraction of an inch of their equipment was there for no reason other than simple protection from potential catastrophic injury, and that for anything less to be mandated would be inhumane and unconscionable. This was a matter of safety, pure and simple. The league’s regulators, almost all of whom were former forwards or defensemen, acted decisively, reducing the width of each leg pad from 12 inches to 10. But in doing so, they had looked for their answer in the wrong place.
In response, the goalies would take things further still. Now that a goalie had his entire body below the bar, on his knees in butterfly position, with his legs splayed out to each corner, he no longer stopped many shots with his legs, or even his hands. More often, he was employing the biggest part of his body, his torso, which, unlike his legs, had no openings through which pucks could squeeze. And if he was upright, his torso’s height combined with that of his body from his knees to his waist would, coincidentally, add up to almost four feet, the precise height of the net. The extra two inches he’d lost from his pads, it turns out, hardly mattered. And to the extent that his splayed legs provided the shooter with an opening—“the five-hole”—he found a way to close it. His leg pads might need to be narrower, but nothing restricted their length. If he had them manufactured longer, and left them loosely attached at the top, in butterfly position, the upper part of his pads, instead of protecting his legs, would rest horizontally on the ice—and fill the five-hole. The goalies had lost the width battle and won a bigger one. And they were not yet done.
An NHL goalie’s torso might be his best blocking part, but no matter how big his upper body pads are, they can’t extend the full six feet from post to post. Bigger arm pads and gloves and football-size shoulder pads help, as does the stick, but particularly tricky is the space from a goalie’s ears to each top corner. His mask can’t be made to extend that far unobtrusively. Naturally then, this is where the scorers began to shoot. So goalies had to develop a counteraction – one hinted at in Vasilevsky’s profile. Why did his torso pad reach so far forward and hang beneath his belly? Why was it so loose? Think of a balloon. When it’s suddenly constrained from moving in one direction, it expands in another. As Vasilevskiy’s body went down in butterfly position, the bottom of his torso pad hit up against his pants, forcing it forward to offer a pillowy cushion to suck up any rebound from a puck hitting his chest, but also ballooning it upward and outward … toward the top corners. Two wicked problems solved with one natural-, unremarkable-looking, nearly invisible adaptation to his equipment.
Once they had the equipment and the strategy, goalies focused on putting all of this into play. Particularly intriguing is to watch them position their body when the action is to one side of their net, near the goal line. On their knees, one leg extended to the bottom far corner, the top of that leg pad filling the five-hole, their upper body crammed up against the post, their shoulders shrugged upward to take away the top corners, all of their body parts coming together so seamlessly. It is like watching an origami master in action, constructing not a paper crane, but a perfect wall.
When the puck then moves to the other side, the goalie, still on his knees, with a little shove off the post, quickly glides, like a disc in an air-hockey game, only a few inches, into a mirror-image position at the other post, his geometric construct still in place. Sometimes Vasilevskiy, as the Lightning gained possession and began moving the puck toward their blue line, would remain on his knees. And why not? As the puck moved to the other zone, he did get up, but he didn’t really need to. Maybe he was more comfortable standing. Maybe he found it more restful. Maybe it was just habit—goalies are supposed to be on their feet at least some of the time. Maybe constantly being on his knees seemed weird. But really, in that equipment, with those body strategies, why get up? Why move? What better puck-blocking position could he take?
In fact, when he does get up, when he does move, when his body parts open up just a little, when he is in slight transition from up to down or side to side, that’s when he is most at risk—offering a sliver of an opening to breach his perfect wall.
For youth goalies, this strategy doesn’t entirely work. They’re too small. Their wall is too small. Of course, opposing shooters, of any age, then try to come up with their own answers.
The most basic instruction every coach offers their forwards has always been, “Go to the net”—for rebounds, to deflect shots, to screen the goalie. Now they say the same but slightly differently. “Take away the goalie’s eyes. If he can see it, he’ll stop it.” If a goalie, even in his near-perfect position, can’t see the puck, he can’t move the few necessary inches to fill the unguarded spot, and if the puck happens to be shot exactly there, it will go in. Or, alternatively, if the goalie doesn’t see the puck but it hits him, he won’t have known ahead of time whether or when to shrug his upper body to create the cushion that swallows up any rebound. Instead, the puck will hit him and rebound somewhere in front of him and his instincts, his own worst enemy as it turns out, will take over. He will move toward it, opening himself up just enough. Or if the puck is deflected and goes in a new direction he couldn’t anticipate, the result is the same.
So for shooters and coaches, that is the strategy. Rush the net with multiple offensive players, multiple defensive players will go with them, multiple arms, legs, and bodies will jostle in front of the goalie, and the remaining shooters, distant from the net, will fire away hoping to thread the needle, hoping the goalie doesn’t see the needle being threaded, because if he does, he’ll stop it. The situation for the shooter is much like that of a golfer whose ball has landed deep in the woods. He’s been told many times that a tree is more air than leaves and branches, but with several layers of trees in front of him, somehow his ball will hit a leaf or branch before it gets to the green. Somehow, the shooter’s shot will not make it to the net. So he will try again. Because what else can he do?
The result: This game, one that allows for such speed and grace, one that has so much open ice, is now utterly congested.
Part of what made this so obvious over the summer was what was on the other channels. This was the year that hockey and basketball became “summer games.” Contests in both leagues ran back-to-back-to-back on our screens from morning to past midnight to morning again, day after day, viewers clicking from one to another, the action, the passions, the noise, the scores, even the sports themselves, sometimes blurring and blending together.
It was amazing to watch.
Hockey is incredibly fast. Its players, in skates, move much faster on ice than players in sneakers can on hardwood. A puck moves much faster from stick to stick than a ball from hand to hand. And a hockey team’s five moving players (its sixth, the goalie, being static) have much more space to maneuver and pick up speed than those of a basketball team: The NHL’s rink, 200 feet by 85, is more than three and half times the size of the NBA’s 94-by-50-foot court. There’s one more crucial difference. After 40 seconds of sprinting all over the ice, hockey’s five players get replaced by five fresh players, while basketball players must await a whistle. Basketball’s best players play three-quarters of a 48-minute game, or more. Hockey’s best players play less than half a game. A 60-minute hockey game is a 60-minute relay race. Its players get winded and tired, but the pace of the game never does.
But both sports, and soccer as well, face a challenge that football and baseball do not. Both have a net, and although action can happen all over a rink or court or pitch, ultimately it must move toward the net. A soccer net is huge, 24 feet by eight feet, far bigger than the soccer goalie who must guard it without body-protecting equipment. A basketball net is small, only 18 inches in diameter, less than twice the 9.5-inch diameter of the ball, and has no player to protect it directly. In hockey, the net is six feet by four feet, a puck is small, only three inches in diameter and one inch high, and in front of it is a goalie in very large equipment.
The question in each sport is: How do you score? The players a team selects, the skills they have, the strategies they employ, are all with this in mind. A team has to score and stop the other guy from scoring. The rest is foreplay. Given the nature of each game, where can you score from? How close to the net do you need to be? And does a game’s action necessarily funnel toward the net, its space and time, variety and creativity ever-diminishing, or can it spread out, utilize all four, and still be productive?
Not long ago, basketball had the same problem hockey now faces. It was a game dominated by huge men—most notably Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—who could position themselves near the basket to score, rebound, or discourage any opponent from getting to the hoop. And the closer a player got to that hoop, the better, as a slam dunk or two-footer earned him the same two points as a 30-footer, and with much greater chance of success. The game’s real action, confined mostly to the paint, got predictable, static, and boring. Forty years ago, the NBA introduced the three-point shot.
It began as not much more than a gimmick. In its first season, fewer than three three-point shots a game were attempted, by both teams, and even fewer than that went in. Over the next two decades, the role of the three didn’t change much. Nor did its effect on the game. By 2000, fewer than 14 shots were attempted each game. Fewer than 15 points of a game’s roughly 200 were scored this way. The three-pointer was still largely a novelty for novelty players, for three-point shooting specialists. It was merely a sidebar skill that might have some impact some nights at some moment.
Only in the past decade has its effect been profound. The key player? Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Curry is not a novelty player. He is on the floor most minutes of every game. He is a central player on a team that has won many championships. Curry’s success shows again that when the impossible becomes possible, it quickly becomes the norm, and then, sometimes, it snowballs: The basic approach, the underlying strategy, the way a game is played, is forever changed.
Now more than 34 threes are attempted each game. Many more players shoot them, yet the overall success rate for the three-pointer has hardly changed. The exceptional is now the norm. And a good NBA player isn’t considered a serious star if he can’t hit them. Not only because of the extra point that it might bring, but because of what the threat of it does to a defense, and to an offense. Many more two-pointers are scored than threes. A two-pointer remains a team’s bread and butter. But the three-point shot is very visible. The fans can see its long slow arc on its way to the hoop. The players can see it too. It offers time for anticipation and hope, for realization and energy-generating excitement. It is a momentum changer. In a sport of big, shifting moods and fortunes, it stops one team’s scoring run, and starts the other’s.
The three-point shot has now become a basic strategy, the way every team plays. A team goes up the floor looking for three-pointers. Two is okay; three is the target. The players position themselves for a three, the ball zinging from corner to corner to corner to find the open man with just enough time to take the shot that has a real chance of going in. If that doesn’t work, and a two-point shot is the only option, the shooter looks to attract contact from his opponent to create the foul that gives him a chance for a “hoop and a harm,” his three points scored a different way. Yet even when a three doesn’t happen, in their preparation for it, offensive players spread out, defensive players follow them, and the 10 players come to inhabit a bigger space. All 10 now have more room, more time. Quickness of feet, hands, and mind now matter more.
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Players no longer need to get to the hoop. The action no longer needs to funnel toward the redwood forest of big men that guard it. Only the ball needs to get to the hoop, and in this NBA game, it doesn’t matter whether you are 7 feet tall or 8 feet tall; a ball shot from beyond the 23-foot-9-inch arc will loop over the outstretched arm of even the tallest player. In basketball, you can go over the congestion and score; you don’t have to go through it. This is no longer about a small guy having to play big. A big guy now has to play small. If a big guy can’t pass and shoot, there’s no place for him. With big guys dispersed and away from the basket, little guys now even get rebounds. All 10 players are involved. All 10 players can have a role. All 10 players, on the best teams, and on even better teams in the future, need to have a role to win.
This NBA game, played on a much smaller surface than a hockey rink, is now far more open, much less congested.
But imagine if the NBA made one rule change to its game. Imagine if it reduced the size of its net, its 18-inch-diameter hoop to 15 inches, or 12 inches, still much larger than the 9.5-inch diameter of the ball. The effect would be profound: Scoring would be much harder, especially from a distance. Players would need to develop the skills, and teams the strategies, to get closer to the hoop. As the action funneled toward the basket, it would jam up, slow down. There would be more bumping, more fouls, eventually more allowable contact. Despite all their great shooting, passing, and ball-handling skills, with less space and time, less variety and creativity, the NBA would become a big man’s game again. Introduce congestion, and the only answer is force. Imagine what would happen to football if a touchdown could be scored only from inside the red zone.
In a sense, this is what you could see on the ice this past summer. The NHL’s nets have, in essence, gotten smaller over time because the goalies are bigger. The rest followed. All the players’ amazing skills, developed in hours of practice, visualizing and dreaming in basements, on roads and local rinks, in drills with coaches and expert teachers, their minds and hands now able to move as fast as their feet, to find and use all the open ice that is there. But with so little open ice where open ice matters, for what?
Fewer goals are now scored from beyond 20 feet; fewer are scored “off the rush.” Hockey’s greatest scorers now dive in front of shots, to do anything, everything to keep pucks from “getting through.” It’s wonderful to see their courage, as commentators often say, to see them show their commitment to their team, but in doing so, they risk injury, take themselves out of the offensive action, and give themselves, their team, their fans, fewer moments to be superstars. These players who change the game are, in turn, being changed by it.
There is no hockey-answer equivalent to the three-point shot. No extra points are awarded for a long-shot goal. In the 1960s and ’70s, the much harder slap shot coming from banana-blade-shaped sticks allowed shooters to score from a greater distance on smaller, less protected goalies. These shooters had to be defended against. Defenders had to move away from the net to check them. Space opened up. Then the goalie’s bigger, more protective equipment ended that. Nor is the bigger, international-size ice surface the answer. Make a rink as big as a soccer pitch, it offers more space, but it doesn’t offer more space near the net, where it matters. Some hockey experts think that moving the blue lines in or out might make a difference, or having fewer or no lines at all. Maybe hockey should go to four-on-four, not five-on-five, all the time, which might make some difference, just as it did when this change was introduced for regular-season overtime. Other suggestions are more disruptive, and less in the spirit of the game itself. (What about new stick technology, to shoot harder, to make the shot-blocker pay a bigger injury price and think again?) The key is not to look for answers in the wrong places.
And of course, whatever action is taken, the goalie will respond with a counteraction, and his answers are far easier. He can play on his knees and stay on his knees in his puck-blocking position. He doesn’t have to move much. The more he moves, the more he opens himself up. The more athletic he is, the more tempted he is to move, and the more he moves, the more trouble he creates for himself. If you take away his eyes, he will just let the puck hit him. No need to worry about a deflection or rebound to one side or another. If he stays near the goal line, in puck-blocking position, there is no one side or another. He is just there. Or if his team faces an out-numbering rush, or turns over the puck in its zone, no need to foul the opponent to prevent the scoring chance, because, really, what advantage has he gained? What opportunity does he have to score? The goalie’s back here. He’ll stop him. Besides, if the player is fouled, a goal is far more likely to result from a power play than from any contested chance.
And if that’s not the whole answer, teams can scout for and develop bigger goalies. They are taller now than they were in every generation before; why not bigger still? Why not wrestler-size, or lineman-size? Or as the old joke went, why not just put a big fat guy back there?
Really, the biggest reason for a goalie to get off his knees is that if he doesn’t, people might notice. Then they might think, Isn’t it crazy that in a game that moves so fast, somebody can stay on his knees? Then they might wonder why. Then they might want to do something about it. A goalie’s standing up every so often is a small price to pay.
The problem isn’t the game. The problem is the goalie, who is changing the game.
I like goalies. But I also like to see the remarkable, hard-earned skills of the other players rewarded, skills that have never been greater, and that, if undiscouraged, will be greater still. Push these forwards and defensemen, challenge them, by all means make them be more. But make the goalies be more, too. Allow the super-talents like Carey Price and Vasilevskiy to demonstrate how much better they really are. Make them show signs of athleticism and intelligence. Make them move and think. Put them to the test. But reward them too.
The NHL has attempted to make a goalie’s equipment smaller. It has won small battles. It can create precise measurements for leg pads and gloves. But it has been annihilated in the bigger war. Employing the principle that equipment is intended to protect the body, not the net, the NHL could also introduce regulations on the allowable length of leg pads, factoring in the different heights of goalies and limiting the maximum pad height to five or six inches from the point of the knee cap, so the five-hole would have to be covered by the body, not the equipment. But how do you create measurements for the upper body? The fact that a goalie’s silhouette has grown so much speaks to the difficulty of achieving this. Maybe the only real standard for the upper body is the “eyeball test”: If it looks too big, it’s too big. Unfortunately eyeballs change. They become accustomed to the different, and blind to the ridiculous.
Maybe there is no foreseeable way to make the goalie smaller. Maybe you have to make the net bigger. Don’t fight using an old, losing narrative. Change the narrative. New golf-club technology made courses too short, so championship courses got longer. A lighter soccer ball allows players to do tricks with its flight, in some ways making soccer’s already huge net even bigger. A player can shoot the ball several feet outside the net’s 24-foot width and curl it around the goalie (“bend it like Beckham”). Or he can shoot it several feet above the net’s 8-foot-high bar and drop it down (“loop it like Lionel” Messi). A hockey puck is too dense and moves too fast for that. But the size of a hockey net could change, and the change needn’t be too much. Maybe only six inches or a foot wider, maybe only six inches higher. And only for those in junior and college leagues and above. Just so a goalie’s carefully constructed, seamless wall can’t cover everything. So a goalie has to move, has to play off his goal line, has to go up and down. So he has to open up. So the slivers of open space are a little bigger. So he doesn’t think he can stop everything, and a shooter can think he might score. So an unscreened shot from farther than 20 feet might go in. So more “off the rush” goals might be scored. So players would want, and need, to spread out. So the action doesn’t always funnel and congest. And the rest of the ice surface matters. So all the skills the other players have developed, and will develop, matter. So the game is defined by every player on the ice, not just the goalie. So the dog isn’t wagged by the tail.
In 2005, after the NHL had locked out its players and the season was lost, the league returned to play with new rules to reduce the hooking and holding of “obstruction” that was strangling the game. The players, and their coaches, having more unconstrained ice, had reason to develop their open-ice skills, and the effect of these rule changes has lasted a generation. The time has come again.
The clever cat-and-mouse game between goalies and shooters has run its constructive course. The goalies, by winning, have changed the game. Hockey is a game that needs open ice. It is made for open ice. The problem is the goalies. The answer is the goalies.
UAlbany men’s lacrosse goalie ranks bolstered by addition of Donnelly
ALBANY — The UAlbany men’s lacrosse team has “a left-handed JD” among its goalie ranks this season.
That could bode very well for the team, if Liam Donnelly can duplicate some of the stellar play of former Great Dane JD Colarusso, a USILA and Inside Lacrosse All-American first-team selection in 2018.
The “left-handed JD” designation was bestowed upon Donnelly by Colarusso’s father, Joe, who coached Donnelly at the club level in Yorktown. So although Donnelly began his college career at Rutgers and spent the last two seasons at Utah, UAlbany head coach (and Yorktown native) Scott Marr is familiar with his game and expects him to be prominent in the goaltending mix this season.
Donnelly is using his final post-graduate year of eligibility playing much closer to home with UAlbany, which starts its season this weekend against Colgate.
“We knew quite a bit about him,” Marr said. “Actually, JD Colarusso’s dad, Joe, had coached Liam in club ball in the summers and did individual work with him, probably all the way from . . . seventh grade to his senior year in high school.
“I don’t know what our goalie situation was back then [when Donnelly was coming out of high school]. We just got really good recommendations from Joe, and I really trust Joe with goalies. He was a goalie himself, and he coached JD, obviously, his whole life. We were really confident in Liam’s ability, coming from Joe and hearing what he had to say.”
“I’ve known Liam my whole life,” said UAlbany senior Kyle Casey, another Yorktown alumnus. “I grew up playing with him, and he’s always been one of the top goalies I’ve seen and one of the better goalies I’ve played with. You can watch him play and see he’s great at saving the ball and getting the ball up to our guys. He’s fun to watch, and you guys will see it, too.”
For now, Donnelly’s primary competition at goalie as UAlbany heads into its season opener on Saturday against Colgate is coming from Will Ramos, a senior who brings a similar style to the position. They also both have an experience edge over the Great Danes’ other goalies, sophomore Tommy Heller and freshman Jack VanValkenburgh.
Donnelly was a starter and captain for a Utah team that went 3-3 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and 5-10 in 2019. Prior to that, he played for former Siena head coach Brian Brecht at Rutgers.
“I loved it there [at Rutgers]. Coach Brecht was a great coach,” Donnelly said. “I was given a redshirt year my freshman year, so at the end of my sophomore year I figured I’d see what I can do, so I got a chance to play at Utah. I loved every program I played for, and I’m just grateful to have this opportunity.”
“We also watched him play at Utah, and if it wasn’t for Liam, Utah would’ve lost most of their games by about 10, 12 goals,” Marrr said. “He’s certainly very capable. He has really quick hands. His outlets are very similar to JD’s, he’s very quick with it. Joe kind of always jokes that Liam’s a left-handed JD.”
The bulk of Ramos’ playing experience came during the 2019 America East semifinal, when then-starter Nate Siekierski was injured.
Ramos played the entire game, a 13-9 loss to Vermont, and stopped 10 shots.
“Every day is a good battle, with me, Liam, Tommy Heller and even Jack, the freshman,” Ramos said. “We go after it every single day. It’s definitely close and it’s definitely competitive.
“I would like to say I’ve improved a lot since my sophomore year. It was good to get my toes in the water, and getting a game under my belt. Hopefully there’s more.”
“Liam makes plays out of the goal. As does Will,” Marr said. “It’s going to be a tough decision if we go with just one. But I do feel comfortable that we have two super goalies ready to play.
“Will is very similar to Brett Queener in his ability to come out of the goal and get our transition going. They both give us the opportunity to 10-man ride, which I really like. They’re both quick enough to get out, cover an attack man for a little bit and play a little bit of a zone on the back end, then get back in the goal quickly.
“There are times when I’ve gone with a two-goalie system before. Kind of going back and forth on that. Will and Liam both bring really good athleticism, really good energy to the defense.”
More from The Daily Gazette:
Categories: College Sports, Sports
90,000 The best NHL goalkeepers right now
1. Andrey VASILEVSKY, Tampa Bay Lightning
As in the case of Nikita Kucherov on the right edge of the attack, the choice of the best NHL goalkeeper this fall is quite obvious. And the arguments in favor of Vasilevsky, as you know, are not limited to the fact that the 26-year-old Russian has just finally led the “Lightning” to victory in the Stanley Cup. He proves his superiority over colleagues day after day for several years in a row. Over the past three years, Vasilevsky won nine more victories (118) than his closest competitor, although he is only fifth in the number of matches in the start (170).Moreover, the 2019 Vezina winner became the NHL leader in terms of the number of victories in each of these three seasons, winning 44, 39 and 35 matches, respectively. Among 15 goalkeepers who played at least 145 matches during this period, he has the best percentage of reflected shots (92.1%). In the recent playoffs, by the end of the second round, he was the only goalkeeper of the tournament who played every minute of every match – and he did it until the very victory, for the most part brilliantly. Therefore, when literally all of Vasilevsky’s partners talk about him as the best goalkeeper in the world, this is not an exaggeration and not a desire to support his team-mate.This is the case.
Video: The best of Andrey Vasilevsky in the playoffs
2. Connor HELLEBUCK, Winnipeg Jets
It would be unfair to ignore the goalkeeper, whom the league general managers consider the best in the last season. Moreover, the current owner of “Vezina” and her two-time finalist holds a high mark throughout all five of his seasons in the NHL, although he stands for the classic middle peasant, who overcame the first round of the playoffs only once in the entire club history.In the 2017-18 and 2019-20 championships, the 27-year-old American from Michigan was exaggeratedly brilliant. Two years ago, like Vasilevsky, he won 44 victories, and in the last championship he became a leader in a whole scattering of categories: matches (58), the number of shots on his goal (1796), the number of saves (1656), zero matches ( 6) and the conditional number of tournament points that the team scored thanks to the goalkeeper’s game (12.5).
[See Also: Best NHL Defenders Right Now]
3.Tuukka RASK, Boston Bruins
A better standard of goalkeeper stability than a 33-year-old Finn in today’s NHL, perhaps, is not found. In all of the 11 seasons that Rusk has been the Bruins’ main goalkeeper, he has never shot less than 91.2% of shots in any season and has no worse safety factor than 2.67. This, I emphasize again, is his worst performance in 11 years. Twice (in 2009-10 and 2019-20) he became the leader of the league in KN, twice more – in the number of “crackers”, and his total 92.2% of reflected shots over the past 11 seasons is the best among 45 goalkeepers who played for this start time of at least 200 matches.
4. Sergei BOBROVSKY, Florida Panthers
The two-time Vezina winner could have been one or two lines higher in this rating if his debut season at Florida had not been so unsuccessful. Although 32-year-old Bobrovsky in his 10 years in the NHL did not really play for the teams that actually claimed the Cup, Sergei is the sixth in the number of victories (278), and the fifth in the number of saves made (13635). Of the seven years spent by the native of Novokuznetsk in “Columbus”, for at least the first five seasons (before Artemy Panarin appeared there) from year to year remained the best player in the Blue Jackets, having managed to drag the modest club to the playoffs four times.
Video: FLO NYA Match # 4: Bobrovsky saved Florida
5. Ben BISHOP, Dallas Stars the best in the NHL in terms of reflected shots (92.1%) and reliability coefficient (2.28), the third in terms of zero matches (30) and seventh in wins (204), despite the fact that in terms of the number of matches at the start (359) he was only ninth. The three-time Vezina finalist has five seasons in which he has reflected at least 92.0% of goals, and in the 2014-15 season, when he reached the final with Lightning, Bishop became the leader of the playoffs in as many as eight goalkeepers. categories.Incidentally, the overall cup performance of the 33-year-old veteran (92.4% and 2.27) is even better than his statistics in the regular championships.
6. John GIBSON, Anaheim Ducks
The goalkeeper of a team that has never made it past the first round of the playoffs in the last three years and never made it in the last two is not easy to get on this list. The 27-year-old American goalkeeper is in it because, since the 2015-16 season, his 91.8% hit count is fifth among 35 goalkeepers who have played in at least 150 games.Gibson has three seasons in a row (from 2015 to 2018), in which he caught at least 92.0% of the pucks. The two-time All-Star Game participant has consistently been a member of the American national team’s goalkeepers’ squad, and in 2016 he represented the North America U-23 team at the World Cup.
Video: ANA-PIT: Gibson rescues the team
7. Carey PRICE, Montreal Canadiens
In the mid-2010s he was considered the best goalkeeper in the world, and in the 2014-15 season he won all the prizes he could go to the goalkeeper, including the MVP title.Space indicators of 44-16-6, 93.3% and 1.96, in fact, left the voters no other choice. Price has had worse years since then, but overall, even playing for a very mediocre team that missed the playoffs in three of the last five championships, the 33-year-old veteran consistently remains its best player – and one of the strongest goalkeepers in the NHL.
8. Braden HOLTBY, Vancouver Canucks
Since the 2012-13 lockout short, when Holtby became the main goalkeeper of Stolichny, he has had the most start-up games (440), and by an even greater margin. the lead in victories in the NHL (268).In the latter achievement, the merit, of course, does not belong to him alone, five consecutive victories of the “Capitals” in their division also helped a lot. But it’s worth noting that the 31-year-old Canadian consistently performs even better in the playoffs than in the regular season. His 92.5% of reflected shots and a safety factor of 2.16 in this eight-year period are only slightly behind Rusk (92.8% and 2.14). Now the 2018 Stanley Cup and 2016 Vezina Trophy winner will try his hand at Vancouver.
Video: WASH-ANA: Holtby parries Silfverberg’s wrist
9.Frederic ANDERSEN, Toronto Maple Leafs
Over the past four years, the 31-year-old Dane has become the league’s busiest goalkeeper with 244 starts – six more than the rarely resting Bobrovsky. Throughout his seven-year NHL career, Andersen is fifth in wins (213), although he is only 10th in start-up matches (358). Holtby, by comparison, has played 405 such games over the past seven years. In the 2017-18 season, Andersen became the only goalkeeper in the league to save more than 2,000 shots and outstripped his closest pursuer Vasilevsky by 121 in the number of saves.No NHL goalkeeper has made this many rescues in a season in the past nine years.
10. Marc-André FLERY, Vegas Golden Knights
The uniqueness of the Flower is not only in the fact that no NHL goalkeeper has won more victories over the past 14 years (449), and only Henrik Lundqvist has played more matches on zero “(62 versus 59). Fleury becomes the soul of the team, the most beloved and respected partner and teammate, no matter who he plays for. In the playoffs, the advantage of the three-time Stanley Cup winner over the competitors is even more significant: over the same period, starting from the 2006-07 championship, his 81 cup victories are ahead of the closest rival, the same Lundqvist, by 20 pieces!
Hungary goalkeeper named Neuer the best goalkeeper of the decade
https: // euro2020.ria.ru/20210622/gulachi-1738154847.html
The goalkeeper of the Hungarian national team called Neuer the best goalkeeper of the decade
The goalkeeper of the Hungarian national team called Neuer the best goalkeeper of the decade – RIA Novosti, 22.06.2021
The goalkeeper of the Hungarian national team6 named Neuer the best goalkeeper6 9000 Hungary’s goalkeeper Peter Gulachi considers Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the best in the world over the past 10 years. RIA Novosti, 22.06.2021
2021-06-22T21: 08
2021-06-22T21: 08
2021-06-22T22: 22
Manuel Neuer
Peter Gulachi
Football
Marko Rossi
euro 2020
germany
hungary
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EURO-2020, Veronika Gibadieva. Hungary’s goalkeeper Peter Gulachi considers Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the best in the world in 10 years. On Wednesday, the Hungarian national team will play with Germany in Munich in the group stage of the European Championship “Manu is the best goalkeeper of the decade,” Gulachi said at a press conference “What he has achieved over the years makes him number one.”The head coach of the Hungarian national team, Marco Rossi, noted that his team needs to improve in order to beat such an opponent. “In the match against Germany, we must play even better than we played against France (1: 1). also started well, and we managed to add to the match with the French. In order to beat the German national team, we need to make even more progress in the game. Of course, this is not an easy task, but it is still possible, and we will try to realize this task ” – said the coach at a press conference.
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2021
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manuel neuer, peter gulachi, football, marco rossi, euro 2020, germany, hungary
EURO 2020, Veronika Gibadieva. Hungary’s goalkeeper Peter Gulachi considers Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer the best in the world in the last 10 years.
On Wednesday, the Hungarian national team in the group stage of the European Championship will play with the German team in Munich.
“Manu is the best goalkeeper of the decade,” Gulachi said at a press conference. “What he has achieved over the years makes him number one.”
“But we can also achieve something really important in this game. We will do everything in our power,” stressed the goalkeeper of the Hungarian national team, which needs to beat Germany in order to qualify for the playoffs.
The head coach of the Hungarian national team, Marco Rossi, noted that his team needs to improve in order to beat such an opponent.
“In the match against Germany, we must play even better than we played against France (1: 1). The match against the national team of Portugal (0: 3) we also started well, and we managed to add to the match against the French. In order to win with the German national team, we need to make even more progress in the game. Of course, the task is not an easy one, but it is still possible, and we will try to realize this task, “- said the coach at a press conference.
June 20, 22:14
UEFA terminates investigation into Neuer’s armband
Best goalkeeper of the 21st century named
International
Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS)
published a rating of the best goalkeepers in the world in the XXI century.The goalkeeper of Juventus is recognized as the best
Gianluigi Buffon, reports Almaty.tv with reference to Sport24.ru.
The second place went to the former goalkeeper of Real Madrid, Porto and the national team
Spain Iker Casillas. The top three were closed by the ex-goalkeeper of Chelsea, Arsenal and the national team
Czech Republic Petr Cech.
The world’s best goalkeepers in the 21st century (IFFHS version):
1. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy) – 330 points
2.Iker Casillas (ex-Real Madrid, Spain) – 244
3. Petr Cech (ex-Chelsea, Czech Republic) – 218
4. Manuel Neuer (Bayern, Germany) – 183
5. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium) – 130
6. Victor Valdez (ex-Barcelona, Spain) – 113
7. Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, France) – 106
8. Edwin van der Sar (ex-Manchester United, Netherlands) – 105
nine.Oliver Kahn (ex-Bayern Munich, Germany) – 99
10. Keylor Navas (PSG, Costa Rica) – 93.
The overall rating was compiled according to the principle of combining
annual rankings from 2001 to 2020. Goalkeeper,
who took first place in the annual ranking, 20 points were awarded,
the second – 19 points and so on.
Buffon joined Juventus from Parma in 2001
year. In the 2018/19 season, he defended PSG’s colors, but then returned
to the turin club.In total for a career at the club
level 43-year-old Italian played 925 matches and conceded 770 goals. For the national team
Italy played 175 matches and conceded 146 goals.
Buffon – 10-time champion, 4-time Cup winner
and 6-time Italian Super Cup winner with Juventus,
champion and winner of the French Super Cup with PSG. As part of the Italian national team, he became the champion
2006 world and vice-champion
Europe 2012.
Previously reported
about the best coach of the XXI century.
In January, the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport named Buffon the best goalkeeper in history.
90,000 12 best goalkeepers in the history of the championship of Russia
To hell with subjectivity. Bolshoi Sport included in the list of the best only those goalkeepers who had the largest number of clean sheets in the Russian championship.
Antonin Kinski / Czech Republic
69 dry matches out of 182 for Saturn (Ramenskoye)
What I remember: in the mid-2000s, when Saturn flourished thanks to Oleg Shishkanov ( thief in law # 1), they did not spare money for salaries and newcomers.In 2003-2004, Oleg Romantsev took almost everyone he knew and wanted. Zheder, Onopko, Ginyasu, Bazaev, Pavlovich, Kanchelskis. Very soon, Antonin Kinski became the leader and captain of the “aliens” gang. Panathinaikos claimed the Czech, but Romantsev easily beat the price. True, the coach himself did not stay in Ramenskoye. Kinski, on the other hand, played for Saturn for seven seasons and played a total of 200 matches for the club in various tournaments, of which 70 played to zero (35%). Each of his new competitors (first Evgeny Kornyukhin, then Valery Chizhov and young at that time Sergei Ryzhikov) certainly sat down on the bench and almost never got up.Kinski was good: his names were Lokomotiv and Spartak, but Antonin preferred to play out in Ramenskoye, where the Czech-Slovak diaspora was formed during the coaching period of Vladimir Weiss.
Where now: trains young goalkeepers in the Czech Republic.
Alexander Belenov
70 clean sheets out of 184 for Spartak, Kuban, Anji and Ufa
What will be remembered: ended up in Spartak at 24, but Valery Karpin released a goalkeeper for just one match.The contract, which was not bad by Russian standards (less than 500 thousand euros per year), consoled for the time being, so Belenov agreed with Kuban on the transfer. All sides benefited from this: Spartak sold the player for 200 thousand euros more than it acquired (the magic of the top club bench), the southerners got an excellent goalkeeper for five seasons, and Belenov finally started playing. Every year, stars appeared in Kuban, whom everyone wanted, even some European clubs – these are Charles Kaboret, Ivelin Popov, Lasina Traore, Aras Ozbiliz.Belenov is the only one from this list who did not go for promotion, although he long ago deserved a chance to prove himself in the club from the top four. After the European cups with Ufa, the 31-year-old keeper will have a good opportunity to go to Krasnodar or Zenit, which is long overdue to get rid of Yuri Lodygin, who makes mistakes in every match.
Ruslan Nigmatullin
72 clean sheets out of 190 for KAMAZ, Spartak, Lokomotiv, CSKA and Terek
Memorable: Ruslan still has the best dry streak in history championship – 941 minutes.As Loko’s goalkeeper, Nigmatullin did not concede from October 1999 to May 2000. The apotheosis of this story is the epic match with Spartak in Luzhniki (0: 0), when the railroad workers played out with ten men, and Ruslan took a penalty from Andrey Tikhonov in the 90th minute. The keeper’s finest hour is the return match (replay) of the Champions League qualifying round between the Austrian Tirol and Loko in 2001. His saves have amassed hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. Subsequently, those “90 minutes of nightmare” determined not the best vector of Ruslan’s career development – he left for Italy (Hellas Verona), where he did not play, then did not stay at Loko and CSKA, after which he moved along the Grozny – Rostov-on-route Don – Nazareth.
Where now: opened his own goalkeeping school in 2013, has been building a career as a DJ since 2010, appears as an expert on television.
Andrey Samorukov
75 clean sheets out of 205 for Tekstilshchik, Uralan, Rotor, Saturn and Dynamo
What I remember: in 1993, after dozens of crackers for Tekstilshchik, Samorukov was invited by Rotor, which two years later brought Manchester United on aggregate. In 1996, after the CR bronze, Andrey received the Ogonyok prize as the best goalkeeper in the country, while the RFU coaching council did not include him in the “33 best”.The most unexpected award – the hero of Kalmykia – was presented to him in 1998. Guess what for? That’s right: I took a penalty in the game against Spartak.
Where it is now: For 12 years he trained goalkeepers at the CSKA Sports School. After the end of the contract, he moved to a similar position at Lokomotiv-2.
Marinato Guilherme
83 clean sheets out of 209 for Lokomotiv
What will be remembered: Guilherme, like Sergei Ovchinnikov, is the opening of coach Semin. Yuri Pavlovich risked leaving a legionnaire in the team, who was constantly recovering from injuries for the first two seasons in Russia and played only three matches – and those for the team’s double.Then Semin typed “Bossu”. “I was asked to assess his ability in serious work: was the money spent right, is it worth keeping him in the team? – recalls the legend of “Locomotive”. – I will not brag that in ten days of communication with me Guilherme has risen to the level of the main team. But after working with him, I concluded: a year or two will pass, and the guy will play very well. ” And so it happened. The turnover of goalkeeper cadres reached indecent proportions – Chekh, Levenets, Yakupovich, Pellitsoli, Polyakov, Ryzhikov, Filtsov, Kreshich, in recent years – Abaev, Medvedev.But none of them staked out for themselves “post number one”. In part, the choice fell on Guilherme because of his adoption of Russian citizenship and good knowledge of the language.
Vladimir Gabulov
87 dry matches out of 265 for Dynamo, Alania, CSKA Moscow, Kuban, Amkar, Anji and Arsenal
What will be remembered for: footballers, who found “his” coaches. Ossetian origin played a key role. Gazzaev took him to Moscow, but it is impossible not to progress with him.He played a significant role in Dynamo and the national team thanks to Cherchesov. Gabulov, according to many of his teammates, is a respected uncle, whose words are listened to in the locker room. This fact is very much appreciated by coaches. The peak of Gabulov’s career was a landmark match against England (2007) at Luzhniki. And before the 2018 World Cup, Vladimir surprised the public and cheered up the youth with his move to Belgium: “This is an opportunity to realize my old dream – to play in the European championship, try to become a champion and return to the Champions League.This is an incredibly interesting chance in football and in life, ”says 34-year-old Gabulov.
Sergei Ryzhikov
118 clean sheets out of 290 for Saturn, Lokomotiv, Tom and Rubin by the age of 28, having played no more than 10 games in the Premier League. The risk is enormous. Vitaly Kafanov, coach of Rubin’s goalkeepers, analyzed the situation as follows: “First of all, I was looking for a Russian who was hungry to win.I heard about Ryzhikov that he is a terrible workaholic, merry fellow, an easy person and really wants to play. Knew the story when he trained with gloves with holes. He was not given, but he stayed and worked for hours. Life shows that just from such people someone turns out. There was a conversation: “Seryozha, the task is to get into the national team, to become champions.” When I said this, I realized that this was far from it. But in the end it turned out that way. ”
Now Ryzhikov is 37, he has under three hundred matches in the RPL, more than a hundred of them he defended by zero, and six titles, coupled with a victory over Barcelona in the Champions League.
Alexander Filimonov
118 dry matches out of 313 for Fakel, Tekstilshchik, Spartak, Uralan, Moscow and Arsenal
What I remember: is one of the most talented goalkeepers in the history of Russian football, whose career was considered over back in 1999. From the main goalkeeper of “Spartak” and the national team, Filimonov instantly turned into an outcast, who to this day is associated with the half-hit-half-serve of Andriy Shevchenko. However, the legendary goalkeeper should be given his due: he continued to play and eventually scored more than a hundred clean sheets in the championship, albeit as part of not such stellar teams.
Where is it now: incredible, but Filimonov ended his playing career only a month ago. Recently, 44-year-old Filimonov was the playing coach of FC Dolgoprudny from the second division. Now he dreams of returning to Spartak, but already in the status of one of the mentors.
Vyacheslav Malafeev
121 dry match out of 328 for Zenit
What I remember: is perhaps the most worthy competitor of Akinfeev from the Russians. In the table of Lev Yashin’s club, Malafeev walked with Igor almost toe-to-toe for a long time.However, the permanent CSKA goalkeeper had an advantage in age – when Vyacheslav began to get injured and gave way to Lodygin at the base, Akinfeev went far ahead. Nevertheless, Malafeev himself is pleased with his career: he became a cult figure in the history of St. Petersburg football, having spent a record 328 matches for his native club and won the UEFA Cup with him in 2008. And in the national team, he was not in the last roles.
Where now: Unlike many colleagues, Malafeev quickly found himself off the pitch.He became the owner of a company for the sale of luxury real estate, and at the end of 2017 took the position of sports director of Zenit.
Sergey Ovchinnikov
129 dry matches out of 289 for Lokomotiv and Dynamo
Memorable: The period of Ovchinnikov’s performances for Lokomotiv is divided into two stages: before Europe and after. In the 1990s, the goalkeeper played more matches, made a name for himself, but the peak of his career came after his return from Portuguese Porto.He replaced Ruslan Nigmatullin, who had left for Italy, and immediately helped to win the first championship of the railway workers, and two years later – the second. The “boss” could almost single-handedly pull out an unsuccessful match, turn its tide with steep rescues. Three times in the golden era, he gave out dry series lasting more than 600 minutes (667 – 2002, 647 – 2004-2005, 689 – 2005). At the same time, for a long time he was considered only the third goalkeeper of the country. Because of the backs of Cherchesov and Kharin, and then Nigmatullin and Filimonov, it was possible to get out only in the early 2000s.Ovchinnikov became the main goalkeeper of the national team in 2003-2004, when he was already over 30.
Where now: After several attempts to work as a head coach in the RPL, he settled in the CSKA coaching staff, where he is responsible for training goalkeepers.
Igor Akinfeev
186 dry matches out of 390 for CSKA
What will be remembered: The first impression of Akinfeev is the reflected penalty in the debut game for CSKA against Wings. Distant 2003: Gazzaev released a 16-year-old boy to fend off the blow of Andrei Karjaka, one of the most formidable scorers of the early 2000s.Since then, the status of the first number of CSKA has not been discussed. Akinfeev’s level did not change at all even after two heavy operations on crosses. Further – only incrementally. Victory in the UEFA Cup final, the record for the number of dry matches in the championships of the USSR and Russia (Akinfeev has long beaten Yashin – Lev Ivanovich has only 160 zeros), bronze of Euro 2008, salvation in the now legendary match with Spain in the 1/8 finals of the World Cup and unwillingness to leave for a foreign top club. The goalkeeper himself explained the last one to our magazine: “Big clubs such as Real, Bayern, Barcelona already have the best goalkeepers in the world.I have said many times that I have no regrets. And the “big” teams … Even if they just mention my name, it will be great. But I’m not going anywhere, ”said Igor, who has extended his contract with CSKA until 2022. There is no doubt that a goalkeeper will not appear soon, who will be able to block the achievement of Akinfeev.
Top 10 most expensive goalkeepers in the world. Kepa beat Alisson |
Football is now living in an era of huge money and, as a result, an overheated transfer market.This leads to the fact that every summer one or another transfer records are beaten. This time we got to the goalkeepers. 17 years ago, Gianluigi Buffon cost Juventus space money, but now this bastion has fallen too. Moreover, twice in one summer. Nevasport will tell you about the ten most expensive goalkeepers in the world today.
The most expensive goalkeepers in the world
1. Kepa Arrisabalaga (Chelsea) – € 80 million *
The Londoners have laid out wild money for a promising young goalkeeper who has only two decent seasons at the highest level and has never played in England.In terms of his strengths and weaknesses, the Basque resembles David de Gea, who, having moved from Spain to England, became perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world. However, for the first couple of seasons, de Gea got used to the Premier League, and it was not easy for him. Poetmou is very likely that Kepa will not be able to immediately show the level of the top class. In addition, de Gea did not even have such a price tag and the status of the most expensive keeper. This will put additional pressure on the newcomer Londoners.
2. Alisson (Liverpool) – 62.5 million euros
It was the Brazilian who broke Buffon’s record.Alisson’s status is significantly higher than that of Kepa. But actually he has only one season behind him in European football, albeit an excellent one. The goalkeeper shone with Roma in Serie A, but this is traditionally a very defensive league (only three teams scored an average of 2 or more goals per game last season). Alisson showed himself great in the Champions League (got into the symbolic team) and played at the World Cup for Brazil. In general, expectations from his performance are higher than those of Kepa.
3. Gianluigi Buffon (PSG) – € 52 million
Now the amount that Juventus paid Buffon Parme in 2001 does not seem to be out of the ordinary, but then it was sky-high money for a goalkeeper, even for the then rich Serie A.However, the benefits of this transfer exceeded all costs many times over. The 40-year-old goalkeeper won nine championships with the club (two more were taken away because of calciopoli) and a lot of other titles, acquired the status of a legend and one of the best goalkeepers in the history of football. And this summer he decided to earn some money for his old age at PSG.
4. Ederson (Manchester City) – € 40 million
What is the ranking of the most expensive transfers without Man City? Last summer, the club had to at all costs close the goalkeeper’s position, which has been a problem since Guardiola and Hart did not work together.The second number of the Brazilian national team after Alisson had a great last season. With him at the gate, “City” became the champion of England and conceded the least. On account of Ederson had 16 clean sheets in the Premier League.
5. Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) – € 35 million
Courtois’ move from Chelsea to Real Madrid was the catalyst for all this whirlwind with a new goalkeeper price record. Of all the goalkeepers who have found a new team this summer, Courtois is the main star. This is a top five goalkeeper in the world.“Real” was able to watch for the moment with his contract expiring in a year and get a player for a ridiculous amount, about half its market value.
6. Jordan Pickford (Everton) – € 30 million
Last summer, a similar amount for a not the most experienced goalkeeper caused surprise. Now it doesn’t seem out of place at all. Pickford had a bad season at Everton, but the whole team was in a fever there. But at the 2018 World Cup, he became one of the best keepers of the tournament.Largely thanks to his saves, the British reached the semifinals.
7. Francesco Toldo (Inter) – € 26.5 million
Toldo’s move from Fiorentina to Inter in 2001 set a record for goalkeepers. But it lasted only a few days and was immediately blocked twice by Buffon. Toldo won 5 Italian championships with the Milanese, several cups and the 2009/10 Champions League, but as a reservist.
8. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) – 24 million euros
Everything is simple – the best German goalkeeper of the generation.It’s clear that he plays for Bayern, but where to go? Even in 2011, the amount paid by the Munich people does not look out of the ordinary, and even now – even more so. With Bayern Munich, Neuer became the six-time champion of Germany, won the Champions League, and became the 2014 world champion with the national team. Luxurious transfer, to be sure.
9-10. David de Gea (Manchester United) – € 22 million
One of the best goalkeepers in the world moved to Manchester from Atlético in 2011, was rather feeble and played poorly at the exits.However, the Hispanic has adapted and for the last five years he is the main star of “United”, despite all the high-profile transfers of the club. With Manchester United, de Gea won the English championship, the Europa League and the FA Cup.
9-10. Bernd Leno (Arsenal) – € 22 million
The fourth transfer this summer in the top ten. After seven seasons at Bayer, Leno set out to restore the former glory to the Gunners, who already have Cech and Ospina in this position.
* amounts according to transfermarkt data.com, ESPN, Sky Sports
Kolyma Football Review 2021 – MagadanMedia
Ilya Moseichuk is a professional footballer from the Magadan region .. Photo: From the archive of the author
Sports commentator Dmitry Blinov told IA MagadanMedia about football tournaments in the Magadan region. The month of May turned out to be rich in football tournaments in Kolyma.They were different, both in terms of the age of the participants and the format of the event, and in terms of geography. Today, in our football review, I will talk about three mini-football tournaments of different formats, played in Omsukchan, Tent and Magadan. Two of them are youth teams, and one is among adult teams.
OMSUKCHAN
On May 15, in the village of Omsukchan, an interdistrict youth mini-football tournament dedicated to the Children’s Day for the prizes of the Farn Company LLC took place. Format 5 to 5. Participants – teams of Omsukchan, Olsky, Yagodninsky, Tenkinsky urban districts, as well as the team of Magadan.They include boys born in 2006-2007.
The level of this championship is serious, since in fact the best football players of the Magadan region of this age category gathered in Omsukchan.
The tournament is annual and has been held for the third time, respectively, it has its own history. It was played for the first time in 2018, and the team of the Ten’kinsky urban district became the champion among the 4 teams. In the next 2019, there were already 5 teams and the victory was won by the guys from Magadan. In 2020, for reasons known to all, the tournament was not held.
And this year, 5 football teams gathered again on the artificial turf in the open air and a football festival took place, where the best teams and players of the tournament were determined in an honest football fight.
According to the chief referee of the tournament Atsamaz Gutiev all 5 teams demonstrated good football. Still, three teams – Omsuk, Olchan and Yagodnin, showed a more serious level against the background of the others. And it is no coincidence that all of them were included in the final three of the tournament winners.
For the first time in the history of this tournament, champions were the national team of the Omsukchan city district.
This team went through the entire tournament smoothly and confidently. The footballers of Omsukchan beat the teams of Tenka – 10: 0, Yagodny – 3: 1, Magadan – 1: 0 and drew with Ola – 1: 1.
The national team of the Olsky urban district, until the last moment had good chances for the championship and, on a par with Omsukchan, did not lose a single match – worthily took second place. The footballers of the Yagodninsky urban district became the bronze medalists.
The team of Magadan, , which was the current winner of the tournament, this time managed to become only fourth.
And the guys from the team of the Ten’kinsky urban district, who three years ago were the champions of this tournament, closed the final standings.
SUMMARY TABLE
