Wednesday, September 28, 2011

RATE MY MASK - Ilya Bryzgalov

A new hockey season can only mean one thing...new goalie mask designs.

And with the musical chairs of goalies rotating through the league this past off-season, there's a bumper crop of lids to drool over.


This Ilya Bryzgalov special is one that really caught my eye.

Designed by Stephane Bergeron of La Griffe Originale, this tiger theme has the look and attitude of a 70's velvet painting.


That just reeks of cool.

Now, the tiger represents the emblem of Russia, called the 'Amur', and was Bryz's idea to use as the theme of the mask.

Stephane drew several versions of the tiger for Ilya and this is the one they chose to use.


I love how the 'Bauer' brand name makes a nice cameo - smack dab on the forehead. Way to ruin a perfectly nice design.

On a positive note, I do like the font design on the 'Bryz' letters across the chin. It blends nicely with the rest of the mask.


I would have preferred something a little less symmetrical from one side to the other. There was a great opportunity to really create that flow throughout the entire mask. This design looks like a simple picture flip.


One more close-up look at the design.

Overall, not too bad. Bryzgalov has had some memorable masks in the past, and this one should fit in nicely with the rest of the collection.

3.5 out of 5 (a half point for the velvet painting homage!)

OK, it's your turn to RATE MY MASK!!

9 comments:

  1. I have to say, that's pretty sharp. I guess it's only natural that my affinity for catchers would make goalies my favorite hockey players. The Dallas Stars goalies through the years have been my favorites, from Andy Moog to Ed Balfour, Marty Turco and now Kari Lehtonen, I like them all.

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  2. Definitely.

    I was always partial to Roman Turek's 'Eddie' mask which paid tribute to his favorite band...Iron Maiden.

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  3. 2-5. i dont get what the tiger has to do with the flyers

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  4. Ilya is of Russian descent and the tiger represents the emblem of Russia, called the 'Amur'.

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  5. Not sure about the mask, but thanks for sharing part of your personal painting collection.

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  6. Can't say that tiger painting is mine, but I do have a pair of velvet bullfighting pieces in my basement.

    They can be had for mere dollars.

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  7. Years later I know, but can I buy that tiger painting?

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    1. Ha ha. Sadly....it's not mine. It was an image search that led me to that beauty of a pic.

      Sorry.

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