mathy,
        i'm so glad you said something in response to that crap.... if nothing
else the kid stands out more because of his lack of vanity...
 
when was the last time dominik hasek donned a
'painted-up-to-the-bejesus' mask...ummm...never.   it ain't what's on
the mask that stones the other guys....
 
(actually, i think back in the days when he was a blackhawk, hasek
painted "please trade for me" on the side of his helmet...but that's a
horse of another color)
 
wouldn't you rather see terry sawchuck back there with a plain old
crappy mask and turd-brown leather on his legs shooing away the puck
than a guy who paid over a grand to paint his helmet get scored on...
 
it ain't what the players are wearing that makes the program either,
it's what under their jerseys.... a bunch of guys whose hearts far
outsize their egos....  you just can't make everyone happy i guess....
i'm just happy we keep it real in a time when that is too rare a
thing...
 
        let the mask be as blank as the opponent's half of the scoreboard!!!
whatever works.