September 15 looms as a dark day for hockey fans. The current collective bargaining agreement between players and owners expires that day; if there’s not a new one in place by then, the owners will lock the players out of training camp, jeopardizing the season. This won’t mean we’ll be deprived of high-sticking action, though—with three hockey games coming out this year, there are plenty of options for a virtual season.

NHL 2005

Unlucky 13 is how many years EA Sports has been making hockey games, and for the last seven there’s been little reason to rejoice. But since there might not be a season this, er, season, NHL 2005 has a feather in its Jofa: It includes all eight international World Cup of Hockey teams.

The gameplay—which has kept this franchise from eclipsing the ESPN NHL series—focuses on open ice control. Now, through the miracle of modern gaming, you’re able to control two players at once, allowing you to position players better for one-timers and 2-on-1 plays. Let’s just hope EA cleans up the passing, so it matters. Also, expect an overhauled dynasty mode in which an owner’s ideology dictates his team’s goals and bank account.

Pub. EA Sports Dev. EA Canada Release August 24

ESPN NHL 2K5

This is our early pick for “game to play because there isn’t any real hockey.” Already last year’s go-to hockey sim, ESPN NHL 2K5 plans on maintaining its tentative top spot. We say “tentative” because the myriad bugs in last year’s game kept it from setting the PS2’s gold standard for hockey.

This year will see the bugs fixed, along with two major improvements: The rough stuff gets rougher and the franchise mode gets refurbished. Now you can dish out cheap shots (slash to the ankle, elbow to the throat, etc.), which raises the tension meter, which ultimately leads to fisticuffs. In a fight, you can grapple, jab, uppercut, and even skate around freely before dropping the haymaker. As for franchise mode, expect to see full coaching staffs and interact with minor leagues. You can even scout players by having them run drills. You’ll need to this year. Without real hockey, how else are you going to know who to sign?

Pub. Sega Dev. Kush Games Release September 7

NHL FaceOff 2005

New developer, new graphics, and a brand-new start for 989 Sports’ hockey franchise—just in time for the new season to be canceled. Sometimes it seems like the heavens are against the powers that be over at 989. But unfazed, Sony aims to make its own luck with the help of Page 44 Studios (NHL 2001, Freekstyle).

Our favorite new feature, rivalry mode, keeps tabs on your interbuddy rivalries. It tracks lifetime records against your friends, including wins, losses, assists, goals, and points per player. Now you’ll have facts to back up all the trash talk. The create-a-team also tickles our fancy (with more than 175 logos), as do the online franchises.

How will this game fare in a crowded field? No telling. But if it plays like the turn-of-the-millennium FaceOffs, we’re quite interested. <<

Pub. Sony CEA Dev. Page 44 Studios Release September

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.