When people think of hockey, the first image that probably comes to mind is that of a group of skates, hockey sticks, and snowy fields. However, the game of hockey has actually been around for much longer than one would think and has been played in places with completely different climates. In fact, some historians believe that the sport actually began as a form of gladiator sport where fighters would fight using only their hockey sticks.
While it was played in Ancient Rome, it wasn’t until later that the game evolved into the sport we know today. During this time, the sport moved to Canada and later to America, where it flourished thanks to the many opportunities the game offered to those who played it.
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Siv: The Ancillary Term
In addition to this, in some hockey circles, ‘siv’ is used as an ancillary term for ‘shuttle’, the slang term for a goalkeeper’s equipment bag. It is thought to be a combination of the Scottish words ‘side’ and ‘veil’, referring to the goalie’s mask and snood.
The purpose of the siv is to gather all of the goalkeepers’ equipment – helmet, gloves, cup, pucks, etc – in one place after the game. This makes it much easier for the goalkeepers to transport everything to the dressing room after the match. Prior to this, goalkeepers would either have to put all of these items on the ice or carry them in their hands while also trying to keep pace with the other players on the field. In both scenarios, their equipment would be in disarray, posing a serious threat to the goalkeepers’ safety.
The Evolution Of Hockey Equipment
Even with the advent of modern-day hockey equipment, such as the goalie’s mask, the equipment bag itself has remained relatively unchanged. What has changed is how the equipment is used and the styles of the helmets, gloves, and skates themselves. Over the years, the equipment has gotten heavier and thus more cumbersome for the goalkeepers to carry around.
The game was originally played with only wooden sticks and round ‘pucks’ which were similar to the Roman throwing spears. Back in those days, the idea of ‘keeping the puck on the ice’ was virtually unheard of, as players would simply pass the ball around until a teammate could get a shot at the net.
As the game evolved, many different types of helmets were developed to protect the head from injury in case of a collision. The most recognizable helmet shapes are the Montreal Canadiens’ logo and the Chicago Blackhawks’ ‘C’ logo, which are both still in use today. One of the first and still one of the most popular brands in hockey is Bauer, which creates almost all of the game’s goalie equipment, including the goalie suit, pads, stick, and gloves. Even today, the majority of hockey fans know what Bauer products are because they are the standard issue equipment for all of the game’s goalies.
The Importance Of Protective Equipment
To this day, hockey is still widely considered to be a dangerous sport due to the amount of running and the speed of the game itself. This is why goalies are required to wear such a large amount of protective equipment – most notably, the mask and the gloves. The protective gear plays a crucial role in ensuring that the goalie remains safe while also allowing them to perform at their best.
Since they are the ones directly responsible for keeping the puck out of the net, it is important that the goalies are protected from getting injured by the puck, by other players, or by the environment. With the increasing use of artificial surfaces that are more ‘slush-friendly’ and don’t have the same freezing properties as real ice, this protective gear must also evolve to keep up with the times and remain effective.
The goalie mask allows for better vision, protecting the eyes from injury from getting hit by a puck or another player’s stick. It also provides better protection from the sun’s harsh rays, which can cause serious eye damage if not properly shielded. One of the most popular hockey masks today is the Bauer OptiFit Pro-XC, which fits comfortably over the face and is adjustable to the specific needs of each goalie.
The Importance Of Adjustable Gear
One of the most significant advances in goalie equipment is the adjustable mask. These types of masks allow for adjustments so that they can fit most people, regardless of their facial structure or the shape of their head. While some people prefer the closed-faced mask, which provides better shielding and protection from the elements, others choose the open-faced version, which they can leave open so that they can better breath during play.
One of the pioneers of adjustable masks is BTS, which stands for ‘Bauer Taylor Shield’. This mask takes the concept of ‘adjustability’ one step further by offering multiple positions for the strap, along with the ability to tighten and loosen the fit of the mask around the face.
When it comes to the protection of the hands, we are once again faced with a decision about what material to use. Gloves have long been made out of a variety of materials, including leather, vinyl, and various types of plastic. However, over the years, some artificial materials have emerged as viable alternatives to natural rubber, the traditional material for hockey gloves.
Plastic Flexible Grips
The most popular type of replacement for natural rubber is plastic. This material possesses the same basic properties as natural rubber, making it an excellent choice for the purposes of hockey. It is also considerably less expensive and more durable. This makes plastic favorable for both the players and the equipment suppliers, as it provides them with a steady and long-lasting source of income. In addition to this, it also reduces the amount of waste when compared to natural rubber gloves, as the majority of plastic is recyclable.
The Rise Of Electronic Monitoring
Hockey has also seen the rise of electronic monitoring, with the installation of video cameras to catch dangerous and illegal plays and the use of software such as Hawk-Eye to monitor puck trajectories and where they are headed. To this day, video review is still considered to be an important part of the game’s evolving strategy, ensuring that the correct calls are made during review. This in turn benefits both the players and the teams, as it reduces the number of crucial mistakes, leaving more time for celebrations and banter after the match has ended.
The Importance Of Numeric Rating System
Finally, for those who have used or who are currently using guns for hunting, you will be familiar with the concept of a ‘numeric rating system’ (NRS). This refers to the practice of giving a set of numbers to each item in a set, which indicates how well the item performed in a set of predetermined circumstances. For example, the number 13 would indicate that the item achieved optimum performance in terms of what is known as its ‘13 rating.’
In the world of hockey, ‘numeric rating system’ is used to determine the relative strength or weakness of each team. This system was developed in the 1980s and was first used for rating the equipment of American college hockey teams. In hockey, the numerical rating is broken down into three categories: Goals Against (GA), Save Percentages (SV%), and Wins (WINS).
The GA rating is the amount of goals that the team allows to be scored, while the SV% rating indicates what percentage of shots on goal the goalie successfully saves. The WINS rating is the sum of the team’s wins, and is used to determine whether or not the team has improved since the last year or if it has declined in performance.
One of the reasons why the numeric rating system was developed was because the officials could have too many problems with inconsistency when trying to assign a quality rating to every game or set of matches that they officiate. With the GA, SV%, and WINS ratings, they can simply look at the final scores to determine how the team performed in any given game, knowing that the numbers will be accurate and won’t mislead them.
The Importance Of Teamwork
To close this article, let’s discuss the significance of teamwork in hockey. As we have discussed, modern-day hockey is a dangerous sport, which is why the players and the equipment must all evolve and change to stay relevant and safe. However, this also requires that the teams and their coaches must change and improve to ensure that all of these pieces of equipment are being used effectively and in the correct manner. This is where teamwork comes in.