Einstein enters the net

Achilles' shield, forged by the Olympian god Hephaestus, was more than just a necessary instrument for battle. It was also a symbol of Greek pride and an iconic object around which the troops could rally and gain strength. The new mask of sophomore goalie Zane Kalemba serves much the same function for the men's ice hockey team.

Emblazoned with images of Hobey Baker, Albert Einstein and Nassau Hall, Kalemba's $1,200 mask is designed to be a symbol of Princeton's pride and tradition — both on and off the rink.

"On any team — professional, college, high school — every goalie has a painted mask," Kalemba said. "You want to show the pride of your team and school."

The process of acquiring such a mask, however, is a long and difficult one, due in large part to high demand and a limited number of suppliers.

"I had the idea last October," Kalemba said. "But I knew there was going to be a wait-list, cause they have to do the NHL ones first. I finally sent it in last spring, but it didn't arrive until a week ago."

Kalemba chose Toronto artist Steve Nash to both paint and compile the design. Though Kalemba suggested the images himself, Nash was given free reign to organize them appropriately.

"I wanted a few things in a few different places," Kalemba said. "But I just wanted [Nash] to put them where they fit best."

Perhaps even more important than the look of the helmet is its record — Kalemba has yet to lose since acquiring it last Thursday. The Tigers (3-0-0 overall, 2-0-0 Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey League) defeated Cornell and Colgate over the weekend, which marked the team's first road sweep since the 2000-01 season.

Princeton, ranked 18th in the nation, is now one of only two undefeated teams in all of Division I hockey.

Kalemba, who was named the ECACHL Goalie of the Week for his outstanding performances, including his first collegiate shutout, credits some of the success to the mask.

"It fit right in with our motto — look good, feel good, play good," he said. "It especially helps your confidence because it's much better than the old rusty mask I've had since sophomore year of high school."

After finishing last season with an 8-11-1 record and an .891 save percentage, Kalemba is already 3-0 with a 1.34 goals-against average and a .951 save percentage.

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It was only by a fortunate set of circumstances, however, that the sophomore goalie even had the mask for the opening weekend of ECAC play.

"We were leaving at two, but as we were loading the bus, I still didn't have it," Kalemba said. "So right around one o'clock I sent [freshman forward] Kevin Lohry to go grab it from Dillon [Gym]. Luckily it was there, and I got to bring it up for the weekend."

Kalemba was also quick to point out that the day he got his mask came exactly 49 years to the day that New York Rangers goalie Jacques Plante wore the first ever hockey goalie mask in an NHL game.

Kalemba's mask has received rave reviews from players and head coach Guy Gadowsky.

"[The mask] makes the team look better," junior forward Brett Wilson said. "Goalies are weird — the smallest thing sets them off, so when Zane has confidence, it's good."

The mask itself, which is predominantly orange with black stripes, does more than defend the goalie's face.

"Some would say goalies only wear the mask for protection," senior defenseman Mike Moore said. "But that's not it. The goalie's mask is a personality in and of itself — it has its own character."

For his part, Gadowsky is impressed with every aspect of the mask.

"Certainly on its own it's awesome," Gadowsky said. "It has Hobey Baker, Nassau Hall, Einstein — it's one of the nicest goalie masks that I've seen. I think it's terrific looking, but the fact that it's undefeated makes it a whole lot better in my eyes."

While some might scoff at the mask's $1,200 price tag, Kalemba has a different take on its expense.

"The mask is priceless," Kalemba said. "Two wins on the road are priceless."

One thing, however, seems certain — the mask will be a symbol that the Tigers can rally around as they look to continue their undefeated season in the ECACHL.