Friday: Spring has Sprung!

Well HJC, spring has sprung! Here in Vancouver it is beautiful outside 9 degrees (celsius) and sunny as can be. I am going to get outside and hit the frolf course this afternoon. Yes, I frolf. Deal with it.

lots going on, as always here on HJC. We have our normal COTW vote, and our Pairs Competition vote going on until tonight. If the sun is out where you are, use your happy mood and energy provided by vitamin D to fuel your voting! If you are still buried feet deep in snow, you're probably trapped inside anyways and may as well send a vote our way!

COTW Mar 10-16 vote (ends Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

Pairs Comp Top 3 votes (end Friday @ 11:59pm Eastern)

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Here are today's concepts!

Tampa Bay Lighting - David P.

A black alternate looks like it might be happening next year, and I think something simple like this could fit the bill quite nicely. This has everything a Lightning fans want: VICTORY STRIPES. Initially the giant lightning bolt on the front was a bit much for me, but I am liking it more and more. I also like the blue on black bolt behind the numbers, quite a neat touch. 7.5/10.


MLS East part 1 - David P.

I have been loving these MLS and MLB crossover series which utilize the striping patterns of local hockey teams. I am not a big fan of the black on black vertical sleeve stripes on the Columbus and Houston jerseys. The Washington and Chicago jerseys look like Washington and Chicago jerseys. The ones I like the best are the Montreal sweaters, who knew the Habs' sweaters would look so good in blue and black. 7.5/10.


Ryan Miller - St. Louis Blues Mask - Ricky M.

Well, I have never designed, or reviewed a mask before, although my love for hockey Aesthetics did begin with a goalie mask colouring book (did anyone else have one of these?). I can't say that I am enamoured with this mask, it all just seems to mish-mashed. I think the musical notes, and the St. Louis skyline are a good idea, but I would like them to be more subtle, as is it is way too busy. I do not like the Olympic rings, I have trouble mixing international and club level competitions though. 6/10.


Kansas City Royals - MLB - Ben A.

More baseball crossover stuff. Spring has sprung! I really like how the diagonal stripes match the angle of the text, nice touch! I also really appreciate the MLB logo in the collar insert, good attention to detail.The rest of the jersey lacks that polish though: the inside of the neck and bottom of the innerhem should be blue. It would also be nice to see some TV numbers. 6.5/10.


Jaroslav Halak - Buffalo Sabres Mask - Ricky M.

I like this mask a lot better! the herd of buffalo on the side is a really cool image, as is the "herd" of sabres greats on the other side. I think the B logo is a bit superfluous, and that the stand alone BUFFALO text could feature really nicely by itself on the crown of the mask. 7/10.


Carolina Hurricanes - Stephen T.

Stephen combines eras here with the Canes, creating a bit of a faux-back to the Whalers. I am not a fan of the Canes not having a red jersey, but understand the choice, and don't think it looks bad. As far as these sweaters are concerned I see them as pretty bland and a lateral move from what the Canes currently wear. Get creative, and incorporate the hurricane flag pattern, that would really help htese sweaters. 6.5/10.


Ottawa Senators - Dallas K.

Throwing up this colour scheme and the old-school Sens logo is bound to get a thumbs up from me. The striping design is cool, but I do feel that the thin white stripes could be omitted, and that would kick the jersey up a notch. I am not completely sold on the crest. The tuft on the centurion's helmet is lost with it being black, and that makes the logo feel offset. Also having the laurel leaves on the tuft of the helmet does not make sense, maybe incoporate that pattern as a sublimation on the gold stripe instead. 7.5/10.


Colorado Avalanche - Stephen T.

I for one would love to see the the Avs go full maroon. That would be AWESOME. If that were the case though, I think white cuffs on the sleeves would be necessary, just to add a bit of contrast. Both sweaters look good here, but again, are a bit generic for my liking. 7/10.


Philadelphia Flyers - Christian L.

I can't say that I am a huge fan of this logo update, but it is clean and gets the point across. The best thing about these sweaters is how well the striping ties in with the logo, I think that is really well done. 7/10.


Team Canada - IIHF - Phil B.

Until I saw this design, I didn't think that a red and white uniform would work for team Canada, I always thought that black was needed to create contrast. I also thought that a Canadian flag style jersey could not work on the ice. This concept has proved me wrong. I like the monochromatic logos, they work much better than I thought, and the full body view rally gives a nice sense of what these would look like on the ice. very well done here. 8/10 and a COTW nom from me!

Well HJC, that's it for this friday post. Check back here everyday at this time for your daily dose of concept goodness. I am off to hit the frolf course, but before I do that I am going to send my votes in, you should too! frolfing and voting are good and fun.