Cat eye vs cheater cages. Why I wear cheater cages on my hockey goalie mask

[@alexmurphy5289]

Seeing pucks is rarely my issue, stopping them is the issue lol

[@VOGoalie]

I heard a rumour that there are only 2 ways to grow a goalie KZbin channel: go to Europe or wear a Cheater Cage. One seems way easier than the other. BTW, great comparison Matt!

[@HockeyReviews]

Well I've been wearing a cheater cage for like 4 years so clearly I have to go to Europe 🤷‍♂️

[@VOGoalie]

@@HockeyReviews Ha, I'll go with you and be your back up. I'm sure we could find a pro league in Andorra.

[@RUmlas]

Back when I still played in goal, I got one more cat eye cage just prior to it being banned by CSA. But it took a shot off the mask and the middle bar caved in. But love the sight of the cat eye.

[@GoalieUnion]

I'm a big fan of the Hiller cage, down low and up front are very visible. I just wish they were more available.

[@HockeyReviews]

Did you see the Guardian Angel cages? They seem pretty close to the Hiller ones.

[@GoalieUnion]

I've not seen those till now. I think the Hiller design would protect more from lifted sticks catching your mouth. I'm more worried about sticks coming from the bottom up.

[@Sekhmet19aspie]

@@GoalieUnion I've heard only good comments about the Guardian Angel cages. They're custom made and available to fit almost every kind of mask on the market.

[@Jason-zc9on]

@@GoalieUnion I've always wondered why the bottom part (upside down "C") of most cat eye cages doesn't come closer to meet the "top part". If you're not following, Sportmask does a good job using this link. I'm not a dealer or anything, just trying to make a point goalieparts.com/products/sportmask-non-certified-pro-cat-eye-long-cage.html

[@luvslogistics1725]

I liked the Hasek cage 20 years ago when I played and didn’t think then how risky it was to play with a plastic helmet essentially, but I didn’t get hit in the head that much, a few times in the cage yes, and using plastic neck protector also helped

[@reaper2478]

I remember watching this now! 😂 What can I say.. I’m a goalie (lots of pucks to the head ~ haha!).. Love that VO Goalie came to check this out too! Keep it up! This time round, 👍 ✅ & sub’d 😁 Also agree on the protection side of the Cheater style & it is personal preference. I do use the cat-eye & have been since I was 17.

[@ejwski3615]

You should see my cooper hextall rookie year replica with cateye cage. Orange Composite bumpers and front half of mask composite it’s beast mode

[@mmitnik]

so cool that you used to wear Hackva. I love my Hackva. It will be a sad day when it finally breaks and is no longer safe to wear. That mask is heavy but build like a tank.

[@trumanzerse1169]

I’m not even a goalie and this was very entertaining as well as educational

[@bigspielbergsteve6200]

Cool that you get to play with the mod squad guys

[@scowag11]

Thanks for the video, very informative. You have a lot of masks so maybe you know the answer to this question: How long do you keep your mask before you buy a replacement? I have a Pro's Choice from 2010 and a lot of information on the web says that you should get rid of your mask at 10 years (or stop using it) because it may no longer be as safe as when you first bought it. Any thoughts?

[@HockeyReviews]

As long as the shell is intact without cracks you can just replace the foam and the mask should be good to go.

[@scowag11]

@@HockeyReviews Thanks!

[@samueladiwinata3440]

I don't play hockey but isn't that why you have room at least a few inches from the cage?

[@lolsinabag2600]

I’ve looked at more gloves and picked out the ones i want most which would you recommend? Bauer Vapor 2x pro for $120 usd, Nexus 2N for $110, Vapor 1x lite for $100, or the newest XC9 model for $100?

[@HockeyReviews]

Vapor 1X Lite put of all of them... But try and go Pro Stock, especially for that price. Can get better CCM or Bauer gloves than their retail counterparts.

[@lolsinabag2600]

@@HockeyReviews What do you think about retail 2s or retail 1s?

[@HockeyReviews]

@@lolsinabag2600 2S Pro and 1S are both really goo retail gloves.

[@gamerxdd4883]

Is the cat one the big gap for the eye can a puck go through the hole

[@HockeyReviews]

Yes, but the hole is supposed to NOT allow a puck to go through.

[@gamerxdd4883]

Oh ok

[@nutsandbolts432]

I use a cat eye, and I do lose the puck down low. I’d love to make a custom “Jason” mask where I could trim the eye holes to prevent the blind spots. I’m thinking with modern materials and impact foam, it could be just as safe.

[@Rivertomc4t]

Until you get hit in the back of the head or a slap shot that’s over 10 m/kmph

[@tedpierce8885]

is it a max height blade? maybe bauer supreme 2s

[@HockeyReviews]

Right brand!

[@RetroButterfly]

I use the standard cage right now, but I'd definitely love to be able to move to something else for better visibility. I'd love to have a cat eye, but being in Ontario I'm constantly afraid that a move like that would cause problems. Afraid that refs in the leagues I play in would not let me play with it and then I'd be up shit creek. Cheater seems like an okay option (assume that it's certified, but I've not looked into that close enough), so it was nice to see this video pop up. :)

[@alexfelts3104]

You should get a certified cat eye then.

[@Sekhmet19aspie]

If you play in beer leagues, I would not be concerned at all about the refs, unless the league has specific rule banning them. Heck I even played 2 years of minor hockey with a cat-eye cage and I was never called out by the refs for it

[@Sekhmet19aspie]

but personnally I'm not wearing cat-eyes anymore. Risking eye injury even if really low is not worth it imo for beerleagues.

[@RetroButterfly]

@@alexfelts3104 Yeah, upon further research the cheaters are non-certified as well. So cert cat eye will have to be the thing I try if I move away from the normal cage. I'm curious how the vision is with them vs. the normal cage.

[@mango_46]

@@RetroButterflycertified cat eye has a lot worse vision than non certified

[@boostedbadboyzx12r31]

Cateye cage is the only way to go. Puck isn't coming through, but a stick end definitely will.

[@hockeyd1882]

Looks like a Bauer Nexus stick!

[@HockeyReviews]

Correct on the brand!

[@rivefall6845]

Cat eye is so much nicer than the standard certified cage and never noticed any low tracking issues, hate the look of cheater cage just looks ugly

[@EmpireWorldwideTrade]

Dominik Hasek mask all the way!

[@ByronLee403]

Is there any reason why it is called a cheater cage?

[@connorsmith9281]

because it makes it look like a legal cage. I wore this work a season and a half before getting caught

[@daverianlloyd]

the broken stick blade was a 2s pro or an as3 pro

[@HockeyReviews]

It is neither...

[@daverianlloyd]

@@HockeyReviews ft3 pro?

[@Matt_Avocado]

What site do I shop in for cages

[@HockeyReviews]

I have used OTNY/Goalie Parts in the past.

[@Dario31d]

Could bend the bars back...?

[@HockeyReviews]

From my understanding of metals and welds... that would make the welds and metal more prone to breaking.

[@gavingeorge3736]

stick blade looks like 2n pro blade

[@HockeyReviews]

Right company!

[@chrislentz9640]

Nhl goalies use cat eyes, they face 90 mph plus shots. Only cage I choose

[@ma-tn7lz]

But they can replace the cage. Also, there were 90+ mph shooters back when I played varsity lol. Always use the best protection possible