>>Although girls and women have played ice hockey since the late 1800s, uniforms have been slow to catch up. Past players wore everything from thin sweaters and bloomers to padding borrowed from the boys. But the puck stops here. Thanks to Title IX, more sisters are taking to the ice, playing for university leagues, and national and Olympic teams. Accordingly, the world's best "ice queens" now suit up in female-friendly gear, like the TPS 800 Female Shoulder Pads (pictured). The poly-foam reinforced pads and chest protector were introduced in 1996 by Louisville Hockey, an equipment manufacturer that sought advice from hotshots like Olympian Cammi Granato. This comfy contraption, designed for women's bodies, gives athletes great protection and unprecedented mobility, and symbolizes a new respect for their presence on the ice.

BY OPHIRA EDUT