I don't play online, but I think that 6-year-old soccer strategy would be a step above my skill level right now. I plan on playing all weekend and hopefully figuring some things out.

I'm seriously considering getting this game, but my time is so limited. When you play BAP mode, and you're on the bench, does the game speed up or is it real time? Are you literally watching for a minute or two, or is it like 10 seconds between your shifts?

It is real time. It depends on the line you are on for how long you are sitting at the bench (along with regen speeds). You can also just disable line changes if you want your player out on the ice the entire time.

Playing online, 6 on 6 is really pretty fun. I've never been into playing sports games online, but this is a totally different kind of experience with everyone managing their own player. It prevents the dominating players from exploiting the game's loopholes and weaknesses just to pummel unsuspecting casual gamers. Generally online games turn into swarm-the-puck craziness, but if you have a group of friends that know hockey pretty well it can be blast. And it's pretty easy to beat the swarm-the-puck crowd. Put your power forward in front of the net and make sure you keep at least one guy back at the blue line. There you go. Online NHL09 101.

The time really flies. I feel like you can play an entire game in just about under 10 minutes. And I never really mind the shifts. If you're doing it right, the time between shifts is almost instantaneous. Keep your guy on the ice too long and you will get scored on at the higher levels. Guaranteed.

I just started the BAP Mode last night. Started as a LW for the Wings (Griffins). I started out with 2 goals in my 1st game, and 1 in each of the following two. Pretty fun. The time does go fast when you are on the bench. I left the default settings, so I'm assuming it is 5 minute periods technically. Also, the regen time on the bench is really fast also.

I am in the minors for the Kings. I scored a goal in a shootout the first game and then one 4 games later. I got promoted to the second line. The games are always soccer style scores, though. 1-0, 2-1, etc.

Oh and it took me at least 3 games to figure out that you can call for a pass

And you can make them shoot too

I didn't know that part, how do you do it?

Right Shoulder Button to call for a shot.

Man, my team (Manchester) is terrible. Our record is 1-6-1-1 and the one win was from my guys shootout winner.

I had a goal and an assist in our last game, the goal being the go ahead goal. We promptly let them tie the game, and lost in OT

My BAP career is going better now. I had a hat trick for the Griffins (although, one goal was an empty netter). I think I have about 9 goals and 1 assists through maybe 10 games.....pretty darn fun. One thing that sucked is I got into a fight with 10 seconds left in a game that went into OT. Thus, I sat and watched the whole OT period...oops.

Are there enough PS3 NHL owners in here to have a DVDTalk team? The random team games are fun but it would be a lot better if we had some of the same guys playing with each other.

You and your PS3...

Actually I wish I bought the PS3 version instead.

That's right! That's right. That's karma, sucker. Rekanize.

Can someone help me figure out how to score? I can get assists pretty easily, but for the love of god, i can't put the puck in the net. I don't know why, i try to fire slapshots, i try to make a move, nothing works. I just can't score.

Any tips?

Well, you're not going to want to hear this, but the better part of scoring is getting a feel for what works. You can deke one way, shot the other, but you need a player with decent deking skills. Or you have to be really good with the stick. I am not. Slap shots work best when you have players in front of the net to deflect and screen. A goalie will stop any slap shot he can see. Plus some goalies are butterfly goalies which means they'll get beat high more often than others. Throwing the puck to the net with low slap shots creates rebounds for your players around the net, but you've got to be quick with the wrist shot to stuff it back in. I dunno. This game really gets the hockey stuff right. A lot of stuff has to happen right to score in the NHL. This game is no different... but once you score some you'll put some more in and then some more. You'll also have streaks where nothing works. And you'll get mad and throw things. That might just be me. But scoring is a challenge. NHL09 has come along way since the guaranteed goal on the wrap around the net.

Im getting better at scoring but that stupid ass fictional goalie Sabrina Ladha pisses me off.Totally outplayed the Sabres but lost 2-1 in OT and didnt realize till i saw her as 1st star that she was on their team.Least i was the one who scored on her

Anyone else having lockups on the setting up a Live game or at the exit of a game? Happened to me a few times so far where ive had to reset my system.

No issues locking up with Live but I also have this game for the PS3 (so a buddy and I can play online) and it locked up twice. Once during my dynasty setup and once after finishing a game online.

So that tells me the issue is in the game and not with Live or PSN.

In BAP, I played with the camera angles and afterwards I no longer had the bench perspective when I was off the ice. Does anybody know how to get this back?

Another camera question, during games I use the "classic" perspective, but during shootouts it always goes to the camera down behind the shooter. I can't figure out how to change the shootout camera angle, any ideas?

Has anyone actually scored on a shoot-out? I played a friend online Friday night and we went 21 rounds into our shoot-out before he put a slapper by my goalie. I couldn't get any dekes to work for me and most of the time the puck just dribbled off my stick as I went to wind up. Very frustrating.

I've been in one shoot out so far, and I scored. I am by no means a pro, and only did a triple deke and wristed it in.

Marty Brodeur is my goalie and he let all 3 shots in the goal, fucking ridiculous. I know he isn't the best at the shootout, but he isn't THAT bad.