EASHL Is Incredible
by 
After spending all night playing EASHL in NHL 09 it is clear that this is one of if not the best feature a sports game has ever offered. I sat down in the early evening and didn’t expect to play for very long. Six hours later I was still online. It was probably the most fun I’ve had playing a video game in years. It easily topped the Online Team Play experience from the 08 games thanks in part to having the games count and having your own self to play for.
When the game starts up you create your player which you can edit later. But that is your identity when playing in the EASHL. Your name is on the back of the jersey and you’re gaining attribute points to distribute. As a member of a club you have access to the “Dressing Room” where you meet up with teammates. From there you head into games against other clubs. You can choose any position to play, you aren’t locked into what you had set for your player. In this mode you are controlling just yourself on the ice and are assessed based on performance for your particular position. This means if you get a penalty you’re literally watching the action from the box. At the end of the game you’re graded on your performance. You’ll carry a grade along with your stats which are tracked for numerous categories. All club games count towards the club’s record and placement within the ranking system. Performance wise there was no lag even in the biggest game that was participated in which totaled nine users involved.
If you’d like to join club Pasta Padre (Xbox 360) than leave a comment with your gamertag. Please only those who will be actively playing on a regular basis. The club isn’t about winning but just about having fun. I decided this even before losing seven straight games (current record: 2-9). We can especially use people who know how to score goals. When I get a chance I’ll send out club invites. Please know that an invite can only be sent to gamertags that have played NHL 09. You accept an invite by pulling up your player HUB from within the game.
I went ahead and recorded videos of some of the games. I’ll be posting a few of them on Saturday morning/afternoon.
September 12, 2008 at 11:39 pm
more hockey NO
just kidN
if ur NOT 1st ur LAST
September 12, 2008 at 11:48 pm
I CAN’T LIE I REALLY DON’T like HOCKEY
but after cN vidz
playin da demo &
readin PASTA’s POST dis game sounds aight
still WOULDN’T buy dis game (my blackness won’t permit dat) but soundz like sumthin I could rent/play instead of Madden til those B-BALL gms come out
@Padre now I kno you sed itz NOT about winning but who’s was da reason you LOST 9 gns
wuz it sum1 on ur team or just NOT bein dat familar wit da controls yet
September 12, 2008 at 11:50 pm
That we couldn’t score. We got two goals in one game, won the other in a shootout, and were shutout in the rest.
September 13, 2008 at 12:05 am
It’s one of these moments, in the age of getting constantly let down by Madden, where a sports video game (run by EA nonetheless) actually steps up and delivers an incredible product.
The Be A Pro mode is so awesome, I haven’t even played a regular game (out of probably 50 games). It’s as much fun as it could sound, even if you don’t win every game.
September 13, 2008 at 12:08 am
so were the people ya’ll played against that good meaning they had REALLY GOOD DEFENSE or was 2night just their night
also in case I actually pick dis game up is there anybody building a club like yours but 4 PS3 you could recommend?
thx 4 ur time
September 13, 2008 at 12:56 am
we need to make a PS3 pastapadre league
September 13, 2008 at 12:56 am
i mean club but i dont wanna set it up i will just join….my PSN is Drebo87
September 13, 2008 at 2:41 am
Wow this actually looks great, i should have my copy of NHL 09 later this week,i can help ya out with the goals,i already got u as a friend Padre on XBL,so i’ll just hit u up.
September 13, 2008 at 4:58 am
Send me a invite, my tag is Pigskin11. Im on your friends list already and will be on all the time.
September 13, 2008 at 6:32 am
I’ll join the club. Bdiddy51791.
September 13, 2008 at 6:48 am
I’ll send out a batch of invites when I get a chance later this morning.
September 13, 2008 at 6:55 am
GT is r00tabaga (zero’s not O’s) ……..haven’t tried the hockey league yet but I’ve been playin a shetload of OTP. What a fun game!!!!!! Go Sabres-
Sabres…Bills…& Orange in ‘09
…Orange B-ball that is! -lol
September 13, 2008 at 8:08 am
I’d like to join, my gamertag is floridagatorfan.
September 13, 2008 at 8:41 am
Pasta, You know Im down bro
GT: AzureEffect
September 13, 2008 at 8:46 am
GT is Th3 3ped3mic I will be playing a lot online so add me, please.
September 13, 2008 at 8:47 am
I wish madden had that feature, I play a great safety, i average 8 to 10 tackles a game and at week 11 have 9 int, I wonder how my attributes would look like
September 13, 2008 at 8:58 am
I sent out some invites. A handful failed though, I’m guessing that would be due to not having played the game yet. I’ll try those gamertags later.
September 13, 2008 at 8:59 am
Its really awesome and i had the same expeirence you did. Im not very good at scoring goal but my defense and goaltending is nice
GT July 4 1776
September 13, 2008 at 9:07 am
pasta, how does NHL 09 compare to NHL 08?
nhl 08 is a great game but is 09 better?
September 13, 2008 at 9:08 am
Compared to NHL 08 I think 09 blows that away because of the EASHL and Be a Pro additions. Gameplay wise I’m not the person to break down improvements there. I just know I’m having a lot of fun with it.
September 13, 2008 at 9:25 am
This game is incredible! THE best sports game I have ever played.
I’m an old fart but would love to play on the Pasta Padre Team.
-MERACE
September 13, 2008 at 9:36 am
Be a Pro is hands down the best mode in a sports video game ever. I would love to see this in other sports titles.
September 13, 2008 at 9:38 am
[quote comment="36233"]This game is incredible! THE best sports game I have ever played.
I’m an old fart but would love to play on the Pasta Padre Team.
-MERACE[/quote]
Everytime someone plays a damn game they always say its the best game ever. It hasnt even been out that long to go thru everything. The best ever comment is getting old.
September 13, 2008 at 9:39 am
[quote comment="36234"]Be a Pro is hands down the best mode in a sports video game ever. I would love to see this in other sports titles.[/quote]
Here it is again, it is in other sports games Be A Pro started with FIFA.
September 13, 2008 at 9:48 am
[quote comment="36235"][quote comment="36233"]This game is incredible! THE best sports game I have ever played.
I’m an old fart but would love to play on the Pasta Padre Team.
-MERACE[/quote]
Everytime someone plays a damn game they always say its the best game ever. It hasnt even been out that long to go thru everything. The best ever comment is getting old.[/quote]
Man I haven’t seen much of that, usually people are more negative than anything. This is the most widespread praise that I’ve seen for a game in a long time. Especially since its coming from people who arent even fans of the sport or the game in the past.
September 13, 2008 at 9:48 am
Xbox Live Gamertag: xEntityx
September 13, 2008 at 10:05 am
XBOX live gamertag : MASMD
getting the game this am hopefully
September 13, 2008 at 10:10 am
gamertag DoubleOT for the club
September 13, 2008 at 10:23 am
Pasta…
I’m already in a club, but you should keep an eye out for “Big Country”. He’s a 6′9″ Power Forward.
September 13, 2008 at 10:30 am
Scored a hat trick is my only EAHL game. So if you need goals, hit me up. Gamertag: LiVorio
September 13, 2008 at 11:01 am
This sounds really cool. I wasn’t planning on getting a hockey game, but I might reconsider.
The goal should be to exceed expectations. It sounds like NHL 09 does that.
September 13, 2008 at 11:02 am
send me an invite….mnofsteel34
September 13, 2008 at 11:21 am
Pasta,
I am making my own club and I was wondering do you have to use NHL and other minor league teams jerseys or can you import them from create-a-team?
Thanks
September 13, 2008 at 11:26 am
[quote comment="36252"]Pasta,
I am making my own club and I was wondering do you have to use NHL and other minor league teams jerseys or can you import them from create-a-team?
Thanks[/quote]
I believe you have to use one of the team jerseys and can’t create your own.
September 13, 2008 at 11:38 am
My Gamertag is TDiddilicous. I don’t have the game right now as we speak, because I was expecting the release to be later on in the year. I should be getting the game either tonight or Monday afternoon. I would love to have a good group to play with soon.
September 13, 2008 at 12:02 pm
im winnin
September 13, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I’ll join your team if you’re kind enough to send an invite my way. I too enjoyed the hell out of the mode and although I lost all 3 games I participated in, it was good fun regardless. I plan to play continuously throughout the winter.
My gamertag is CoreySA
September 13, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Alright I’ve got a bunch of invites out now. I’m gone most of the day (going to the Oklahoma-Washington game). For those who wanted in but don’t have the game yet be sure to drop a comment when you do get the game and I’ll make sure to send an invite your way the next time I log in.
September 13, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Sorry if you “hear that all the time” but it is the FIRST time that I have ever said it about a video sports game.
-MERACE
September 13, 2008 at 1:37 pm
HI HATER
as far as my av i’m NOT gonna explain dat N e again
if U wanna kno Y i got dat pic check da other topics
September 13, 2008 at 1:40 pm
One more comment about NHL 09 (if that’s ok with you nba2k). This will be the first year that I won’t be buying both hockey games.
-MERACE
September 13, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I’d like to join… ddRick
I wonder if they would ever put this mode in Madden online. That would be awesome if everyone actually plays their position….
September 13, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Pasta, I dont think I had a Profile set up wehn you sent out the invites, but its set up now, so please resend. Look forward to playing with all you guys……
(GT= im winnin)
September 13, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I’m on everyday pasta and am a long time nhl player. I can score some goals. my gamertag is simmons44blue.
September 13, 2008 at 6:54 pm
i’ll join. i bought the game the other day. it’s outstanding. blows madden 09 out of the water.
my xbox 360 gamertag is: Balding Bear
September 13, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Pasta,
EA should let u market this game. I just picked up the game based on your ethusiasm, even though Im not a huge hockey fan….my GT is amedawg00 on xbox 360…Shoot me an invite please.
September 13, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Just sent out some more invites.
September 13, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I’d like to join my gt is KLDVTA2077
September 13, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Im in Jules187
September 13, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Pasta, hit me up with an invite for your club…SteveW949
Thanks