NHL 2006

[SirPoonga]

Go, get the demo now.  What are you doing still reading this.
BTW, the new rule changes to the NHL rule

[tommy]

National hickey lovers 2006. 

[ChadTower]

I still play NHL 94.  That's all I need.

[Scott84]

linkage?

[SirPoonga]

Where all EA sport games reside.
http://www.easports.com/games/nhl06/home.jsp

Also make sure to goto nhl.com and check out the new rules.  Theyuse the game to demostrate the new rule.  New two-line pass and offside rules are going to make the game much quicker.

[GGKoul]

Where all EA sport games reside.
http://www.easports.com/games/nhl06/home.jsp

Also make sure to goto nhl.com and check out the new rules.  Theyuse the game to demostrate the new rule.  New two-line pass and offside rules are going to make the game much quicker.

Thanks for the link!!!  NHL2K6 will probably be better then EA's NHL 2006

[DrewKaree]

Much quicker.....to you and I, that's gonna be sweet.....to those that don't like or follow it, it'll probably STILL seem like a snail-like game

[Zakk]

Snail like?  Jeez, compared to NFL, hockey is in hyperdrive speed.  Only reason I never got into football, 3 seconds of scrimage, 10 minutes of strolling around and regrouping. (not to bash football for those who like it though!!)

[DrewKaree]

Ask anyone who dislikes hockey why they don't like it.

• can't understand the rules
• not enough scoring
• slow - seems like hardly anything goes on
• not enough fights

Well, mebbe that last one is just my preference, but the reason the rules were changed is precisely because people thought the game was too slow.  Not as in pace of play, and I agree with you about football, even though I like football WAY more than hockey, but as in the pace of scoring.  They don't get why guys do what they do (such as guys NOT passing a line ahead of the puck) and look at it as "they're slow"

[Zakk]

Ah, gotcha.  Well they did address a lot of that this year.  I was surprised by the number of changes, although they didn't go as far as they said they would.  I didn't see any new restrictions to goaltender pads, and I think they were going to forbid goalies from playing the puck behind the line, instead there is that funny shaped thingy they can still play in.  Tagup is a good 'old' rule.  Moving the lines was a welcome change.  It still boild down to goalies that are very good at what they do, but also wearing enough padding to stop a freight train.  I'm all for protecting the goalie, but shave off some of that pad.

All in all it should be a better game, but will it be enough to bring back the US fans?  Realistically they need to trim off a few teams to make it all viable again.  I mean even Tampa was having trouble selling tickets at the last Stanley cup, right up to the last games!  That's crazy!  Toronto sells out even if the team says it won't show up!  Calgary will buy tickets to watch the game on a jumbotron inside the arena.  Philly fans would kill ya just for not wearing a team jersey to the game (need I go on!)

16 teams, tops.  Trim down the goalies and cut down on the silly penalties.  Let those guys play, and you'll see some hard, fast action.  Oh and fights should be spectacular this year as the teams get more tired and more frustrated out there.  whoo hoo!

[DrewKaree]

Is there a dish that has both the NFL package and the NHL package?  That's the hurdle the NHL will have to overcome for U.S. fans.  Since ESPN no longer has a stake in promoting it, mebbe this is NBC's chance to get SOME kind of sports coverage other than golf or downhill skiing or whatever they cover over there

I have a feeling it's gonna be hard to find on TV here. 

Oh, and that friggen commissioner needs to take a few marketing lessons from the NFL, and wise the heck up.  There's a REASON that Poker gets a better share than Hockey did, and it sure as heck doesn't have anything to do with the pace of the game. 

Go Whalers....er.....'Canes

[DrewKaree]

INSTIGATOR RULE

    * A player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension. The length of suspension would double for each additional incident.

    * As well, the player's Coach will be fined $10,000 -- a fine that would double for each such incident.

OK, I kinda dig the first part, so we don't see some goon coming in and ending someone's career just to "save" a game in the waning moments, but how can you fine the coach?  I understand he may be telling the player to do it, but how can you fine one person for the actions of another?  That's like fining the (Texas) Ranger's GM for Palmiero's decisions!

I didn't see any new restrictions to goaltender pads, and I think they were going to forbid goalies from playing the puck behind the line, instead there is that funny shaped thingy they can still play in. Tagup is a good 'old' rule. Moving the lines was a welcome change. It still boild down to goalies that are very good at what they do, but also wearing enough padding to stop a freight train. I'm all for protecting the goalie, but shave off some of that pad.

They did.....not much, but they made some changes.  Besides, how often have you ever seen this checked?  It's kinda like the pine tar incident with George Brett.  Every so often someone tries to do the psych-out thing and have it checked, but no one's serious about it.  If they want the equipment to get smaller, give out suspensions for oversized equipment, along with escalator clauses for each infraction.  Any goalie worth his salt KNOWS what shape his equipment is in, and works to use it to the utmost.  Also, take measurements prior to the face-offs to start the period and at ANY change, either equipment or goalie change.

LIMITS ON GOALTENDERS

    * The dimensions of goaltender equipment will be reduced by approximately 11 percent. In addition to a one-inch reduction (to 11') in the width of legpads, the blocking glove, upper-body protector, pants and jersey will also be reduced in size.

[Zakk]

Heh, one good thing aboot Canada: You know you won't have a hard time finding hockey on tv! 

There is an NHL channel in dish, but of course I heard about that 2 years ago, and I don't know if it'll still be up and running after the lockout.  I can't see a NHL/NFL channel, since it would cost about $20 an hour to watch it after the licensing fees.  If anything nhl games will gat tacked onto a poker channel, which actually might be pretty good.

I just don't get why they try to push hockey on the southern states, then whine about loss of revenue.  I mean, it's not hard to understand that people who grew up never seeing much more than frost (if that) might just not get people sliding around on frozen water chasing after a a flat black golf ball.  Like competitive 'roo boxing.  Might be big down under, but we wouldn't 'get it' here.  Now the northern states...thems some good hockey fans (well except the chronic BOOOers that are philly fans  ).  I say cut the teams and bring them back to where the fans still pay a fortune to see them (hell I just shelled out almost $80 for a PRESEASON game...and one of the teams is philly for gooooodness sakes! ).  That's crazy when you think about it, but I'll be there with my Tim Horton's coffee even though I hate the stuff, just cuz I'm so hockey starved...

BRING THE GAME HOME!

[DrewKaree]

I just heard rumor of there being an honest-to-goodness hockey game being played on The Frozen Tundra Of Lambeau Field!  OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!11111!!!!!!

Zakk, how long of a road trip is that for you?  I think you could fly into Strobel field....I'd pick ya up on the way to the stadium......outdoor hockey at the home of America's football team....excuse me for a minute.......   I can't seem to find the "tears of joy" smiley anywhere

Woops...forgot my linky-thingy.  It's college hockey, but we got a damn fine team here!

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/sports/archive/sports_21361646.shtml

Adam Burish knows all about Green Bay

[Frosty]

I still play NHL 94. That's all I need.

No doubt, CT.  Quite possibly the best sports game ever made.

Took a little while getting used to, but '94 on the cab with an arcade monitor is a ton of fun.  Of course, this doesn't stop us from firing the working Genesis and playing....

[ChadTower]

Ask anyone who dislikes hockey why they don't like it.

• can't understand the rules
• not enough scoring
• slow - seems like hardly anything goes on
• not enough fights

Dude.  I played hockey from ages 6 until 18.  I play semipro football now.

Hockey is so much faster there isn't a comparison.  It's like an all out death sprint the entire 4-5 minutes you're on the ice.  The scoring will increase quite a bit with the new rules.  Two lines passes being gone will be huge, now you can break the zone trap without being whistled to a stoppage.

[DrewKaree]

Dude.  I played hockey from ages 6 until 18.  I play semipro football now.

Hockey is so much faster there isn't a comparison.  It's like an all out death sprint the entire 4-5 minutes you're on the ice.  The scoring will increase quite a bit with the new rules.  Two lines passes being gone will be huge, now you can break the zone trap without being whistled to a stoppage.

It's as if you didn't pay attention.  YOU know what hockey is like, and appreciate the nuances.  ZAKK knows what hockey is like and appreciates the nuances.  I, SirP, and many OTHERS know what hockey is like, and appreciate the nuances.

WE - those who ENJOY the game - know and realize that the speed of the game goes way beyond football - CLEARLY.

Ask Joe Hateshockey or John Couldcarelessabouthockey (it's hard to get checks printed with that name) and without a doubt they see the game as slower than football.

I'm not TALKING about someone who knows and likes hockey, I'm talking about someone who doesn't follow the game or doesn't like it for whatever reason.  Zakk seemed to understand egg-Zakk-ly what I was talking about after I explained, which is from where you quoted.  I'd say you're at least as smart as Zakk

[Harry Potter]

I thought the main difference between new and old versions was the size.

Honestly, the 3D games are all starting to look the same.

I got hold of a copy of Colin Mcrae 2005 and to my surprise, I found it crappier and not as fun as the first version (which runs on a Pentium 200). Sure the graphics were nicer (on a high end system) and it had more features which I'll never use, but the gameplay. Where was that?

Rant - OFF.

[ChadTower]

I'm not TALKING about someone who knows and likes hockey, I'm talking about someone who doesn't follow the game or doesn't like it for whatever reason.

[GGKoul]

I still play NHL 94. That's all I need.

No doubt, CT.

[SirPoonga]

Now if I can just get NHL94 to run on WinXP.

Gens doesn't work?
I prefer '93, one-timers are cool but blood is fun

[ChadTower]

Eh, I spilled enough of my own blood on the ice over the years that I don't care if it's in the game or not.  One timers are more important.

It is kind of cool, though, when you're bleeding pretty badly, to look down and see that your blood has already frozen and become part of the ice.   

[SirPoonga]

nah, in '84 one timers aren't that important, there's an easy guaranteed a goal technique I am sure everyone knows.

[ChadTower]

But since everyone knows it, it is verboten in play in my house.  House rules state that exploiting such a bug results in disqualification.

[SirPoonga]

Hmmm, that sucks, it's a common move in hockey   It's not a bug, it's the goilie's AI was programmed poorly.

I have found situations in every hockey game I have ever played that will always score a goal.  I can't recal if it was EA NHL 2003 or 2004 but if you charge the goalie then go back out to the blue, just before you get to the blue line tap the shoot button.  This will cause you to do a lob shot, but the goalie judge it incorrectly and and go down on the shot.  The puck will float over the goalie.  Works in any skill level.

[GGKoul]

Now if I can just get NHL94 to run on WinXP.

Gens doesn't work?
I prefer '93, one-timers are cool but blood is fun

I want to get my PC Version to work.

[Zakk]

I just heard rumor of there being an honest-to-goodness hockey game being played on The Frozen Tundra Of Lambeau Field!

[Zakk]

Eh, I spilled enough of my own blood on the ice over the years that I don't care if it's in the game or not.

[ChadTower]

I once had someone rake the jagged edge of a broken stick across the back of my neck.  I didn't even know I was bleeding until my coach started frantically yelling for a shift change and then the trainer grabbed me on the way off the ice.  It was pouring blood.

Another time I lost my mouthpiece and bit the end off my tongue.  That's a hella lot of blood, too.

[DrewKaree]

Missed this!

 It would possibly be a LOOONG flight.  I have some issues to work out with my lawyer before I can even think of popping my head into the 'states.   

Issues?  Dude, it was FLOYD you were buying from!  They seriously busted you for some oregano?  Why didn't you whip them up some spaghetti and show 'em?

[ChadTower]

You misunderstand.  It is his lawyer that he is hiding from.

[Zakk]

Another time I lost my mouthpiece and bit the end off my tongue.

[ChadTower]

I thought you WERE the mouthpiece! 

 

I never used a mouthpiece, no need with the birdcage, but I was looking at them today, since I really like the look of the plastic eyeguards...well not the look of them, but the look through them...

Erm, dude, the point of the mouthpiece is to prevent you from smashing your teeth together, not to protect you from getting hit.  Your facemask has no relevance to your mouthpiece.

[Zakk]

You sure about that?  I have one for boxing, but in all those years I never once used a mouthpiece, and I never cracked a tooth or chomped on anything. 


Hmmm... maybe you are Genesimmonscursed?

[Zakk]

I just called a buddy that's a hockey coach, he said they're for tooth protection, but he said it does help the slack-jawed yokels from biting their own tongues off. 

[ChadTower]

Trust me on this one... Canadian hockey is much rougher than US hockey.  When you're playing a harder hitting, more contact oriented game, eventually you'll chip or break a tooth if you don't have a mouthpiece.  I didn't bite my tongue when a player hit me, I bit it when I hit the ice after being hit by two guys in a corner while I was trying to tie up the puck against the boards for a whistle.

A football player would never last a single season without real tooth damage if they didn't use mouthpieces.

[Zakk]

Dude, although I like the patronizing tone as much as the next guy; I've only ever played 'Canadian hockey'.

[ChadTower]

In football, the face to face collisions last longer, happen every play, and are between much larger guys.  Your goal is to get the top of your facemask into the other guy's chin.  Do that and you probably win your battle.  It's more risk than in hockey, even with the sticks.

Once I moved down here, I used to draw too many penalties on the ice for what was good clean hockey farther north.  It was damn annoying.

[Frosty]

Once I moved down here, I used to draw too many penalties on the ice for what was good clean hockey farther north. It was damn annoying.

I guess it depends... on where you play and who you play with.

There's usually a stark difference between the few players who have played juniors/college/pro and are still playing in leagues and the guys that have not played their whole lives.

[ChadTower]

Actually, I'm talking about high school teams, where pretty much anyone on the ice has been playing for years.