Hershey Bears fans are not the only AHL fans scratching their heads, wondering why the first outdoor minor league hockey game would be hosted in Syracuse, N.Y. The rival Manitoba Moose (you know — the ones who lost to the Bears in the Calder Cup Finals?) were approached, too. But according to their general manager, the math didn't add up.

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For people like me who have the Wii, we have the disadvantage of only being able to play NHL2K10, so this thread is to exchange friend codes and get a feel if anyone wants to start leagues or online gaming.

I bought the Wii Speak to see how well this works, so don't Wiive me behind. (Ha, ha. I know that's horrendous — it's late.)

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It looks like Semyon Varlamov is in the trial mood of late to test how different goal pads will suit him this year having three sets (two actually worn) spotted so far. For goalies like myself, the right fit makes the difference. But aesthetics and originality count, and fans would agree.

Which will he wear and which do you want him to wear?

via assets.sbnation.com

Above, you have JP's photo from the first day of camp of last year's NikeBauer Supreme One95 leg pads and what appears to be either new One100 or Vapor blocker and glove, along with a Warrior stick.

via www.goaliestore.com

Here you have an employee of The Goalie Crease posting new Bauer Supreme One100 gear that he has in someone's living room. Other photos can be found here, including one featuring Varlamov's embroidered name (which isn't that hard to ask the factory to do). Though in this Flickr shot I found, he's wearing the One100 blocker with the Supreme pads at training camp.

You'll find a lot of Bauer stuff this year sans Nike now that Bauer is in production with its independent owners. Mainly a wordmark change. Bauer also owns Itech, so some Itech goalies will now be Bauer goalies. Chris Osgood made this switch in the playoffs.

via i1022.photobucket.com

And above is a one-time used edition of his Vaughn Velocity pads thanks to last year's Upper Deck collection. (Apparently nobody took photos of Rookie Camp Day 2 except for the Post, which lacks direct links to images.) He later switched to a mix of Hershey and Caps colors opting for the chocolate with navy blue. This year's edition is virtually the same with the exception that the blue and red are flipped, according to the Post's Dan Steinberg's photo.  

I like variety of goal equipment designs for the team's back-up and starter. Having Jose Theodore wearing (and presumably keeping) the Velocity line, I'd like to see Varly go with the new Bauer line just to give me something different to look at.

It looks like Varly is definitely trying out various pads and maybe he'll stay with Vaughn and go with old faithful, though some argue only his catcher needs replaced.

What would you like to stare at for 60 games this season?