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The Poke Check Diaries

This tag is associated with 5 posts

There’s A Goalie/Writer Spy In The Dressing Room

The first international ice hockey championship the United States won after the Miracle On Ice came in 1987 when a U-17 team featuring future pros like Jeremy Roenick, Mike Modano and Tony Amonte served notice that America was about to become a hockey power. The goalie that anchored that team was Buffalo native Ken Baker. … Continue reading

Ode To The Rec Hockey Slapshot Taker

Your slapshot does not scare me. Trust me, it doesn’t. The mask I’m wearing is made of kevlar. That’s the stuff they use in bulletproof vests. And having seen you play, if anyone on your team ever calls you “bullet” they’re being ironic. Oh, you just bought yourself a new $250 Bauer Supreme One 95. … Continue reading

Cautionary Product Advice About Kneepads

Never buy these. They’re to protecting your knees while playing hockey what the Maginot Line was to protecting France — theoretically perfect protection, but practically useless in the real world. I bought Bauer Supreme goaltending kneepads about three years ago when I switched my goal pants. With my previous pants I just tied the now-illegal … Continue reading

When Nardwuar Met Don Cherry

Nardwuar The Human Serviette might be one of the best journalists in Canada. I’ve seen it first-hand because in my other life in the music universe I’ve worked with him for over a decade. At any rate, recently he got to interview the man himself, Don Cherry, and there may or may not be a … Continue reading

Tim Thomas, Soul Eater

For a guy who’s been an Olympian, an NHL all-star, and a Vezina and Jennings trophy winner, it only seems just now, in the 2010-11 Stanley Cup finals that Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas is truly getting recognized for his talents. There are lots of reasons to like Thomas: *At 37 years old he’s a … Continue reading