NHL ToL: Preliminary Round

These match ups decided who made it into the big dance of masks.
With my picks, on the left.
Marty Turco: White vs Black
Who Won: Black
My Pick: I have to go against the grain and pick white. Masks that use white are too rare these days. The only other one that uses white I can think of off hand is Roberto Luongo's throwback mask.




Karri Ramo: Brain? vs. Nightmare
Who won: Nightmare
My Pick: To be honest, I have never seen Nightmare Before Christmas, so I don't really care for that mask, but the brain(?) is just a stupid idea, Karri. Therefore I think the voters got it right.




Marc Denis vs Scott Clemmensen
Who won: Denis
My pick: I am so glad that Denis won this one. Not that Clemmensen's is horrible, or that Marc plays for my favorite team, it's because of the gator. If you live in Florida, you know there are crocs and gators all around. Everyone who plays for the Lightning (with exceptions), just puts some bolts on their mask. Having a team colored gator makes him my pick.


Jimmy Howard vs Tuuka Rask
Who won: Rask
My pick: Howard. Once again I go with breaking the trend. Bruins goalie: bear mouth: not original. Red Wings goalie: octopus: different.

You Too Can Hold Gary Cheever in Your Hand!

Does anyone remember those Starting Lineup figurines? My personal one was Darren Puppa. The combination of a weird name, cool mask, and his position, made him my personal favorite (next was Patrick Roy). Anyway, those figures always were conservative with the masks. Either they were blank or they had a little team logo on them.

What I'm trying to get to is this. Imagine those on steroids, and you get McFarlanes. Most of you probably have seen these but if you haven't you must. Great blend of current and past masks including:

Grant Fuhr (Maple Leafs, Oilers)
Bernie Parent
Ryan Miller
Jose Theodore (With Winter Classic Beanie)

And my personal three favorites:
Tony Esposito (Canadians, Blackhawks)
Gary Cheevers

Many of these are available on eBay, or any local toy store.

Sunday Random Mask, Guess Who

Answer: It is indeed Sean Burke. Get it? Shamu, whalers? Shamu is a whale.

Sunday Random Mask, Guess Who

Answer: Garth Snow

Hey! That Was My Idea!

The genius behind NHL Tournament of Logos and Tournament of Hockey Logos is at it again. But this time, I am especially excited for next tourney. After voting for the best NHL main, secondary, third, vintage, and worst logos, along with the best of the AHL and ECHL, he will attempt to take on the best mask in the NHL. Right now, the readers are attempting to narrow the competition down some. But when it starts expect (but don't hold me too it), my thoughts on each matchup, while giving my own top ten list (all-time). Lets get it on!

Oh, and I, in no way am mad at NHLTOL. I am glad that someone put this idea up, instead of being lazy.