Episode 94 of the InGoal Radio Podcast presented by The Hockey Shop Source for Sports features a nearly hour-long interview with charismatic young Columbus Blue Jackets star Elvis Merzlikins. 

Merzlikins was an open book in our feature interview, which is presented by Sense Arena, talking honestly about the mental toll of a slow start to his remarkable rookie season, which started without a win until Dec. 29 but finished with a 12-2-0 run that included five shutouts and a .953 save percentage. Back on the ice in Switzerland for the first time since a groin injury ended his NHL playoffs prematurely on Aug. 7, Merzļikins was engaging on a variety of topics, from working out hard enough to throw up, to his mental approach and how it was tested, to the goalie coaches and lessons that have shaped his game.

All that, plus another trip to The Hockey Shop for a fresh gear segment that looks at the Brian's Optik2 chest protector, with a noticeably bigger profile that its predecessor and an adjustable neck line that is one of the better innovations we've seen in a while. 

Of course, as many have learned the past few weeks, we’re now also sharing a video version of our gear segments at The Hockey Shop — think of it as a simulcast like TV and radio broadcasts of an NHL game — to bring you behind the scenes at Goalie Utopia and add visual elements highlighting new features. You can watch this week’s review at InGoalMag.com