Hockey season's back. #43 Martin Biron is back in Philly's crease, stacking the pads, and ready to give Philly another great season. A lot rests on the shoulders of Biron as a skilled net minder. Nitty's still recovering and in place for a bring around at Phantom's level, or so I read. I'm ready with my steak and cheese sandwich until I began to choke on it more than just a bit.

The phillyblurb.com the other day blasted me. Biron has made a mask change and is going retro 70's with a Bernie Parent style mask. The article goes on to say he is getting used to the visibility and fit from the new change. The paint job is the same guy who does Cam Ward's masks. I'm not focusing in on Cam Ward's wearable art, all I could picture was the TIME magazine cover of Bernie Parent.

Parent suffered a career ending eye injury in his mask. Marty is known to be a risk taker, which some of his plays reflect. Marty likes retro, the older classic cars and such, but surely the NHL or his wife would net him in a little. Come on now, in all fairness players like to look a goalie in the eye and see who they're dealing with.

I had to go right to the top for information. I called Don Simmons Sports. Mark Simmons has a little black book his wife has never objects to. The book is full of personal measurements all right, but concerning most of the goalies in the US, Canada and around the world. Mark knows what they're all wearing because he only deals in goalie equipment. Mark Simmons in or not, all his sales staff are goalies, and in the know, so calling there knew I could get a definitive answer.

I discussed my horrific visions with Mr.In the Net Ronnie, who promptly got on the internet to see the article I was looking at. He felt it could not be possible but I should call him back in a bit. (This means Ronnie is on his other two lines with goalie customers.) Goalies are fussy, and details are their passion. Custom made or custom adjustment of details on the Made In Canada equipment are the forte of Don Simmons Sports. www.donsimmons.com

I got back to Ronnie for the low down. The scoop is Biron is changing to a different mask manufacturer. He's a fussy head fit and always has been. The paint job with the Philly logo emblazoned on basic white, is the retro Bernie Parent reflection. Gone forever are the open back of the head, and close to the face styles Bernie Parent and Don Simmons, the goalie, used in their day and all the injury they caused.

To see those masks on the wall at the Don Simmons Sports can give a goalie mom a real Halloween style shiver .

Thanks Ronnie. Now I'm ready for Center Ice. Are you?

Artica Burr's website is www.articaburr.com Vote for Goalie of the Month. Martin Biron, as a Buffalo Sabre is featured in two Buffalo Legend stories in my book "Hockey Legend Myth & Verse".