Summer Pack Update!

       It's summer, which means that every hockey fan is waiting for October. However, the card store is still open, friends are available for trading, and so I have a summer pack update. I got a couple packs of 12-13 Between the Pipes, some 11-12 Score, a few good rookies and first-season cards, and some legends. Here we go:

12-13 BETWEEN THE PIPES

Let's start this update with a bang: I pulled an Authentic Goaliegraph: Decades 1970s Gilles Meloche!

That's one of my first auto pulls from a pack. I also got a Decades 1960s and 40s Roger Crozier and Turk Broda. An insert that I got was a Record breakers Sam LoPresti. And, of course, I got two expired "He Shoots, He Saves" redemption cards.

 11-12 SCORE

The only 11-12 Score cards I received were three great reminders of the Canucks' 2011 playoff run.

I got one from each series, barring the finals, of course. A playoff highlight of Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler, and a Playoff Heroes Roberto Luongo.

ROOKIES AND FIRST SEASONS

 Left to right, top to bottom:

05-06 UD Rookie Report Ryan Miller: A nice almost rookie of the Canucks' current goalie, but unfortunately, getting a Rookie Report card doesn't actually mean it's a rookie.

14-15 OPC Frederik Andersen: A first season card of a guy with an amazing mask.

11-12 UD Victory Rookie Cam Talbot: The Oilers hoping that he can do something in terms of goaltending.

05-06 Fleer Ultra Ryan Kesler: Both Keslers I've gotten this summer have been pretty good.

06-07 Upper Deck Alexander Steen: A nice first season card of Steen.

LEGENDS

Left to right, top to bottom:

14-15 Artifacts Brad Park: A severely underrated defenseman: Runner-up for the Norris 6 times.

12-3 Score The Franchise Johnny Bucyk: the second of 2 Bruins legends I've gotten this summer.

08-09 UD NHCD Hockey Heroes Don Cherry: You could count this as a third Bruins legend, I suppose.

14-15 Artifacts Doug Harvey: The Bobby Orr before Bobby Orr.

One more card of interest was a 13-14 SP Authentic Authentic Moments Nazem Kadri.

A nice card, and cool that it features Nassau Coliseum.

Thanks for reading and keep updated for more Hockey Card posts!

Best Goalie Masks #5- Ottawa Senators

          Before we start entry #5 in my best goalie masks series, I will inform you of a new series that will be starting in the coming days: On This Day in Hockey. Inspired by the book by Eric Zweig, I will be sharing a hockey card that goes along with a date in the book. Keep updated!

        So now, the Ottawa Senators. They have had some good goalies with some good masks. Craig Anderson, Damian Rhodes, Robin Lehner. (Unfortunately, I don't have an Andrew Hammond card, or he might have been considered) But who has the best one? It was a very hard decision, coming down to two of the best. But, the best goalie mask of the Ottawa Senators is:

02-03 PATRICK LALIME

If you have ever watched Looney Toons, this should be a no-brainer. For once, Lalime's classic Marvin the Martian mask design actually works for his team. Marvin's roman helmet goes perfectly with all of the other Senators designs on the mask. The golden cage on the mask goes along with the theme as well, so this is truly the perfect Senators mask.

HONOURABLE MENTION:

09-10 ALEX AULD

If not for the clashing white cage on Auld's mask, I might've gone with this one for the win. However, it clashes with the excellent roman helmet design, and so it is second place. Other than that, this mask is great. Everything on it speaks, Senators. I love it when the design incorporates the cage into the design, and this does it to perfection (except for the white part). To finish it off, the two crossed swords on the chin add a nice touch.

Thanks for reading, and keep updated for more hockey card posts!

What Soccer Goalies Hate

          In light of my recent Hockey Card Stories post, I figured it would be appropriate to share this 14-15 Topps MLS Eddie Johnson card.

Joe Bendik, the keeper for TFC looks quite uncomfortable as Johnson leaps over him. I guess goalie is just a nasty position no matter what sport you play.

Hockey Card Stories #5: What Goalies Hate

      One time, as a little grade 6 going into middle school, I decided to try playing road hockey at lunch. I suited up for goalie, and got into the game. It went on normally, some goals, some saves. Then I got high-sticked in the face. Here's the kicker: goalies didn't wear masks at my school. My goggles didn't help that much, but I shook it off. A few minutes later, the same guy that had high-sticked me (the biggest grade 8 on the court) was on a breakaway. A couple meters from my net, he wound up and let rip a very hard shot. It flew straight and true, smacking me right in the lip. After getting fixed up, I went through the rest of the school day with a fat lip. What a way to start your school hockey career. I couldn't play the trumpet for the whole weekend.
     Anyway, I'm pretty sure goalies don't like getting hit in the face, among other things. Here are a few things that goalies really hate.

GETTING SCORED ON

I'll start with the obvious one. No goalie likes getting scored on. Having a bright red light flash at you every time you make a mistake, reminding the crowd that it's your fault is not a great experience.

Lundqvist tried so hard, but all he got was a defenseman in his net and Joe Colborne celebrating. Dominic Roussel looks behind himself with dread, not a good way to be a rookie. Bruce Hood points at you, reminding everyone again that: "This was the goalie who let in the goal!"

CROWDING IN THE CREASE

Goalie interference is not fun.

Mathieu Garon looks very uncomfortable in this photo, and for good reason. Daniel Sedin just bowled into him, and there are two others on the outside of the crease. Personal space is really not given to goalies all that much.

THE SHOOTOUT (OR BREAKAWAYS)

I don't think any goalie relishes the shootout. One on one is a whole new game from five on five. As seen on this card, Kari Lehtonen just got owned by Kyle Palmieri on a breakaway or shootout. Not fun.

THIS GUY

There could definitely be an advert on some Diply post about Wayne Gretzky for players to click on.

SLAPSHOTS

Who else to feature the goalie's worst enemy than the record holding Chara? Normal people would get out of the way of these things. Goalies try to get in the way.

SCREENS

Or, as Kelly Hrudey and Martin Brodeur like to say: "Staring at players' butts"

THE NET CAM

Also known as "having your butt on live TV"

Plus, It's generally used for goals anyway.

PLAYING THE PUCK

Thanks a lot, Jacques Plante, you brought upon us goalies what most of us now hate.

THE EQUIPMENT

It's heavy, it's itchy, it smells bad, and it's just dang uncomfortable.

SNOWSHOWERS

Yes! You've made the save, controlled the rebound, you feel good about yourself, and then...

some jerk sprays you with enough snow to make a snowman. Thanks, Colton.

So those are things that goalies all hate, loathe, dislike, etc. Have your own ideas? Post 'em in the comments! Keep updated for more hockey card blogs!

"The goalie is like the guy on the minefield. He discovers the mines and destroys them. If you make a mistake, somebody gets blown up."

                     -Arurs Irbe, former NHL goalie.

Top Ten Bodycheck Cards!

          Great bodychecks last only a split second. Players like Scott Stevens keep players on their toes, and help the fans to remember those great bodychecks. Every so often, however, a great check is captured in a photograph and pasted on a hockey card to create some amazing cardboard. Without further adieu, here are the top ten bodychecks captured on cardboard.

#10: 09-10 UPPER DECK BRIAN RAFALSKI

This is a frozen moment in time in which everyone is thinking: "This will be painful." Rafalski is about to plow into this Blue Jackets player, who is wisely bracing himself. Rafalski, as shown here, is a good bodychecker, but a clean one. His career high in PIM is a mere 36. He's not exactly a giant either, standing at 5'10", but I doubt that is what this Columbus player was thinking as he got plowed into the boards.

#9: 12-13 SCORE DAVID DESHARNAIS

This name may seem unfitting on this list. Desharnais, one of the NHL's shortest players, on a bodycheck list? However, look at the card and you will understand my reasoning. Desharnais has his game face on, and he is plowing Tampa Bay's Brian Lee into the boards. Brian Lee, who is 6'2" and 205 pounds compared to Desharnais' 5'7", 177 pounds. Lee definitely didn't expect this, and it looks as if he's trying to get away from this Canadiens player.

#8: 91-92 PRO SET CAM NEELY

This may possibly be the best picture to describe Cam Neely's NHL career. Elbow the opposing player in the face, but still focus on the play. Neely racked up 694 points in his career, along with 1241 penalty minutes. It is more than likely that after this giant elbow to the face of a Toronto player, Cam Neely received a penalty for doing his best Gordie Howe impersonation.

#7: 11-12 UPPER DECK KEVIN BIEKSA

If the previous three cards seemed like mere knocking about on a hockey rink, get ready for some real checks. Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg is flying, of course with the help of Kevin Bieksa, a newly minted Anaheim Duck. The Ducks no doubt took into consideration Bieksa's checking skills when they acquired him from the Canucks. Zetterberg would love to get the puck, but he has to go through Bieksa, which is not an easy task.

#6: 12-13 UPPER DECK KEVIN BIEKSA

Upper Deck obviously did not get their fill of Kevin Bieksa crushing people, as immediately following their 11-12 card, they inserted this gem into packs. Once again, Bieksa is riding someone up the boards. Once again, it is one of the NHL's best who is being crushed. First Zetterberg, and now the Kings' Kopitar. Upper Deck has now given a fair warning to anyone who approaches Bieksa. Two cards in two years.

#5: 03-04 O-PEE-CHEE BASH MASTERS ERIC CAIRNS

The title says it all. "Bash Masters." Which is all Eric Cairns really gets paid to be, according to the bio on the back. "In seven NHL campaigns, Cairns has averaged one goal and 123 PIMs per season." He is defiintely bashing the Canucks' Trevor Letowski on this card.  "The 6-6 'Bruiseliner' unloads some of the hardest hits in the NHL.." Well, yeah, I can see that. 

#4: 96-97 LEAF ED JOVANOVSKI

I'm sure everyone who looks at this card has the same expression as that guy in the stands. Poor Ed. Fresh off of his first games in the NHL, he tries to check Patrik Juhlin of the Flyers. He may as well try to check a brick wall, as it looks like Jovanovski comes out with the worst of this check. I put this card in the list for amusement more than anything. Heeheehee...

#3: 09-10 UPPER DECK ZDENO CHARA

Every player who has ever been on the receiving end of a Zdeno Chara check feels Phil Kessel's pain, I'm sure. The Panthers player featured here gives off a vibe that goes: "Please don't hurt me, please don't hurt me." His expression is pure gold. Bracing himself for the worst, he closes his eyes and is absolutely destroyed.

#2: 12-13 UPPER DECK ZDENO CHARA

Upper Deck does it again. This time, they took possibly one of the greatest bodycheck photos ever and featured it in their 12-13 Series one. This time, not only is Chara destroying someone, he is yelling and destroying someone. A shouting, charging Zdeno Chara is not something I would want coming towards me, but the Predators Hornqvist probably did not take this option willingly. He is flipped onto his stomach, and if he is not in enough pain already, will likely fall heavily onto the ice, unless this Chara throws Hornqvist into next week, which is not a ridiculous suggestion. If there is an upside for Hornqvist, at least he'll get ice on it right away.

#1: 12-13 SCORE DION PHANEUF

Look! It's a flying Jet! Unlike the previous nine cards, this action shot is milliseconds after a huge collision, and Blake Wheeler is falling towards the ice, courtesy of a Dion Phaneuf bodycheck. The contrasting expressions of the two players is interesting. Dion Phaneuf is in the action of shaking it off, while Wheeler is freaking out. Phaneuf is releasing his inner Scott Stevens, making a huge open-ice hit, while Wheeler is tumbling towards the ground in a flailing attempt to stay on his feet. While trade rumours circulate about Phaneuf, this excellent shot will be in the minds of collectors everywhere.

Thanks for reading! If you have other great bodycheck cards, don't hesitate to show me! Keep updated for more posts, and follow if you feel like it.