Skates that blister. Gloves that never dry. Legs that quit in the third.

A stiff boot, a wet foot, a lot of strides.

Skates are built stiff to hold the ankle, and every stride pushes the heel against that shell. Add a foot sweating into a sock for an hour and the skin softens and shears. New skates are worst. Gloves trap sweat the same way, so hands come out pale, soft and sore, and the gear never quite dries between games.

The fix is drier skin on both ends. Performance on the feet and hands the night before. Tape the heel and ankle before warm-ups. Close any blister the same night, and look after the legs and hips that do the skating. Same cream climbers use to keep chalk on the rock.