EASHL Friday Night

by pastapadre
Posted September 25th, 2008 at 11:38 am

So NHL 09’s EASHL is a big success. No surprise there given the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the feature. Over 10,000 teams have been created and over 50,000 users involved which are very significant numbers considering how NHL games don’t sell all that much (relatively speaking) and then you’re cutting into that with only those who play online. Expectations have been exceeded to where EA is adding servers to deal with the load and working on an issues that have arisen.

What I find most interesting is how this is a mode that can reel in people who normally wouldn’t have played an NHL game or who have little knowledge of the sport to begin with. I’m one example of that and I know several others who have been drawn into this game due to the mode alone.

In addition to all that mention has been made of a patch being worked on for the game. No specifics yet on what the patch will entail. I do hope they take some of the minor suggestions that would make EASHL more enjoyable (locking in colors to positions, forcing dark vs white jerseys) and other things such as a way to shoot a loose puck instead of checking an opposing player standing nearby.

So the next get together for the Pasta Padre club will be Friday night at 9ET/6PT. I’m really hoping for at least one win out of the evening. We got some goals last time but just couldn’t pull any of the games out.

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25 ResponsesLeave a comment
  • ferris
    September 25, 2008 at 12:09 pm
    Reply

    r there any spots left on the club

  • pastapadre
    September 25, 2008 at 12:12 pm
    Reply

    I believe there are a few. If you leave your gamertag I can try to send out some invites.

  • JB
    September 25, 2008 at 12:40 pm
    Reply

    Pasta,

    I like the feedback on the popularity using numbers as hard eveidence. Is there anyway you can give us similiar feedback on the popularity of NCAA’s online dynasty mode? I have been intersted for some time to hear the amount of online dynasties created and the number of users who are involved in them.

  • pastapadre
    September 25, 2008 at 12:56 pm
    Reply

    I’ve been trying to get a read on that without much success, but I’ll dig into it again.

  • MeanOnSunday
    September 25, 2008 at 1:28 pm
    Reply

    GT: Vithzeral, if you have any spots left!

  • r00tabaga
    September 25, 2008 at 1:41 pm
    Reply

    I was able to play last Friday for one game but had to leave for family reasons. It was a lot of fun and if it wasn’t for the fact that our goalie was human controlled and theirs was CPU it woulda been closer. Very addicting though! I’m still having a hard time pulling draws on faceoffs……………

  • r00tabaga
    September 25, 2008 at 1:42 pm
    Reply

    Does anyone know why our player names change???

  • Jesse
    September 25, 2008 at 2:23 pm
    Reply

    This is great news. I just received the game from Gamefly and am planning on digging into it over the weekend.

    One question though: With all this EASHL momentum, are real teams/divisions/records being kept? Or is it just like “drop in” hockey?

  • BiggieFatz
    September 25, 2008 at 2:31 pm
    Reply

    thanks for the research Pasta.
    as anyone who’s read my posts knows , I’m a huge madden fan & supporter, but this mode is far and away the best mode ever released for sports gaming. I’m not a big hockey fan but I can’t tear myself away from these EASHL games.

  • maddenforlife
    September 25, 2008 at 2:47 pm
    Reply

    Pasta,

    Ive been waiting for an invite I’m just starting to think you dont want me in there

  • NJNETSFANFORLIF(add me on xbl.)
    September 25, 2008 at 2:47 pm
    Reply

    lol….Pasta it was tough, we also was playing another game but like it was 0-0 in the second pd,and it disconnected.I really thought we had the momentum in that game.

  • slamfan4life
    September 25, 2008 at 2:48 pm
    Reply

    PS3 demo for nba live is out

    also nba 09 for PS3

  • Revealingstorm
    September 25, 2008 at 3:21 pm
    Reply

    I played 2 game yesterday. won both of them :)

  • Scott B.
    September 25, 2008 at 4:55 pm
    Reply

    I left my name in the last topic and got left out. Are there still spots left?

    XBox LIve Gamertag: DarthObvious

  • sdot
    September 25, 2008 at 5:14 pm
    Reply

    @ pasta is there any diff Btween the UK demo of Live & the US version of Live ???

    if NOT why did arrive a week later

  • hawkfan2311
    September 25, 2008 at 6:13 pm
    Reply

    hey Pasta, if there happens to be any space left in the club, i would love to take a spot. This is the most fun i have had since Live 08 OTP!! Only a few more weeks till Live 09 OTP clubs!!

    GT: hawkfan23114

  • bobashel
    September 26, 2008 at 7:30 am
    Reply

    Glad to be on the club man. Didnt know the times we play. But Ill be there tonight.

  • slapstick2
    September 26, 2008 at 10:13 am
    Reply

    I’d love to join… been having problems trying to find public games that don’t take 15 minutes to start. I play a mean goalie too.

    xbox live GT: slapstick2

    send me an invite and we can get some wins.

  • Tristate Killa
    September 26, 2008 at 10:47 am
    Reply

    NG Roster Update #5

    Transactions
    LB Joey LaRocque – Added to Bears
    DE Ervin Baldwin – Released to Free Agents
    WR Mark Bradley – Released by Bears
    CB Marcus Hamilton – Signs with Bears
    S Kyries Hebert – Added to Bengals
    C Kyle Cook – Added to Bengals
    S Herana-Daze Jones – Added to Bengals
    C Dan Santucci – Released to Free Agents (IR)
    G Frank Davis – Released by Bengals (Removed)
    CB Jamar Fletcher – Signs with Bengals
    CB Geoff Pope – Released by Bengals (Removed)
    WR Justin Jenkins – Added to Bills
    G Chris Denman – Added to Bills (Practice Squad)
    G Christian Gaddis – Released (Removed)
    QB Gibran Hamdan – Added to Bills
    DT Nic Clemons – Added to Broncos
    S Hamza Abdullah – Released by Broncos
    S Vernon Fox – Signs with Broncos
    RT James Lee – Added to Bucs
    RT Julius Wilson – Released to Free Agents
    CB DeJuan Tribble – Released by Chargers
    DT Ian Scott – Signs with Chargers
    DT Keith Jackson – Removed
    DT T.J. Jackson – Added to Chiefs
    TE John Paul Foschi – Added to Chiefs
    CB Keiwan Ratliff – Released by Colts
    LB Jordan Senn – Added to Colts
    HB Jalen Parmele – Released by Dolphins
    TE Jason Rader – Added to Falcons
    CB Tarell Brown – Added to 49ers
    FB Montell Owens – Added to Jaguars
    CB Scott Starks – Released to Free Agents (IR)
    CB Omare Lowe – Signs with Jaguars
    WR Marcus Henry – Released by Jets
    P Ben Graham – Signs with Jets
    TE John Madsen – Released by Raiders
    TE Ben Troupe – Signs with Raiders
    G/DT Fred Wakefield – Added to Raiders
    CB Fakhir Brown – Released by Rams
    CB Jason Craft – Signs with Rams
    LB Jameel McClain – Added to Ravens
    FS Justin Hamilton – Added to Redskins
    DT Alvin McKinley – Released by Saints
    DT Kendrick Clancy – Added to Saints
    HB Gary Russell – Released by Steelers
    LB Donovan Woods – Added to Steelers
    LB Patrick Bailey – Added to Steelers
    DT Deljuan Robinson – Added to Texas

    Ratings Up*
    WR Brandon Lloyd – Bears – 75 to 78 – Has been the #1 receiver on the Bears on what is a surprising passing game.
    DT Dusty Dvoracek – Bears – 77 to 80 – Has 8 solo tackles and 9 total tackles through 3 games, Tommie Harris has 3 tackles.
    QB Carson Palmer – Bengals – 94 to 95 – Something didn’t feel right about this, and Carson proved it. Played very well against a good Giants defense despite a busted nose and minimal pass blocking.
    LB Alex Hall – Browns – 61 to 68 – Created several QB pressures with a sack in Week 3.
    LT Donald Penn – Bucs – 76 to 80 – Has been a solid starter for the Bucs for a year now.
    QB Brian Griese – Bucs – 77 to 78 – Threw for over 400 yards in a wild game vs. the Bears.
    WR Antonio Bryant – Bucs – 77 to 79 – Had a 10 catch 138 yard game in Week 3 vs. the Bears.
    DE Turk McBride – Chiefs – 75 to 78 – Has played better this year racking up 12 tackles and 3 tackles for loss.
    HB Felix Jones – Cowboys – 81 to 82 – Looks just as fast on grass as he does on carpet. Up to 97 speed.
    LB Tim Dobbins – Chargers – 65 to 73 – Is now in the rotation at MLB after being a star on special teams for several seasons.
    G Ike Ndukwe – Dolphins – 75 to 79 – Worked well with the rest of the Dolphins O-line on Ronnie’s big day.
    DE John Abraham – Falcons – 92 to 93 – Leads the NFL with 6 sacks. Beat up on Jeff Backus and a rookie LT in KC.
    G Harvey Dahl – Falcons – 76 to 79 – Who? The starting RG in Atlanta paving the way for the Burner Turner.
    G Justin Blalock – Falcons – 77 to 79 – Might be finding his niche after struggling badly last year, especially in pass protection.
    G Uche Nwaneri – Jaguars – 72 to 74 – Now starting at LG for the Jags, the Jags ran wild in week 3 against an undersized Colts front.
    G Daryn Colledge – Packers – 77 to 79 – Working well with an injured interior of the Packers offensive line.
    WR Greg Jennings – Packers – 93 to 94 – Superstar in the making. Him and Aaron Rodgers will be a part of a lot of big plays.
    DE Kalimba Edwards – Raiders – 76 to 79 – Got the better of Pro Bowler LT Jason Peters on pass rushing situations in Week 3.
    HB Michael Bush – Raiders – 79 to 80 – Looks all the way back from injuries. Part of a 3 headed monster for the Raiders at running back.
    FS Jim Leonhard – Ravens – 78 to 79 – Played a great game, including several great kick returns, filling in for injured Dawan Landry.
    T Zach Strief – Saints – 65 to 69 – Filled in for LT Jamaal Brown vs. the Broncos in a wild shoot out vs. the Broncos. Brees threw 48 times.
    CB Bryant McFadden – Steelers – 85 to 86 – Played very well last season as the nickel corner and has filled in for injured Deshea Townsend to the tune of 2 INT’s and 5 pass breakups.
    HB Steve Slaton – Texans – 77 to 79 – Busted a 50 yard run vs. the Titans on his 116 yard and a TD day in week 3. His role as a major part of the offense seems secure.
    *Few minor ratings changes not noted due to time

    Ratings Down
    WR Devin Hester – Bears – 81 to 79 – Has caught 2 balls for 13 yards. Not a part of the offense and seems to only be a special teamer.
    LT Levi Jones – Bengals – 88 to 87 – Was dominated by Kiwanuka in week 3.
    WR Darrell Jackson – Broncos – 83 to 81 – Has slid down the Broncos depth chart, all those passing yards and he is not involved.
    QB Derek Anderson – Browns – 87 to 85 – Might not be all the way back. Looks to have a couple starts left on a Browns team heading for a losing record.
    LB Kamerion Wimbley – Browns – 88 to 87 – Only had 5 sacks last year rushing the passer, this year he has done nothing.
    QB Jeff Garcia – Bucs – 89 to 87 – His benching might be more personal, but only an injury or a couple terrible performances will see him back as the starter.
    CB Ronde Barber – Bucs – 92 to 91 – Has lost a step, got picked on last week vs. the Bears.
    WR Joey Galloway – Bucs – 87 to 86 – Has lost a step, injured a ton and looks disinterested.
    LG Brian Waters – Chiefs – 91 to 87 – Bad timing he goes down 4 points after the Chiefs best running game in a while, but he is near the end.
    S Bob Sanders – Colts – 99 to 98 – Loses his 99 cause he can’t stay on the field. Still not a bigger difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.
    CB Adam Jones – Cowboys – 86 to 83 – Looks like a player that has been out of the league for a while. Would have thought always trying to cover TO would have helped more.
    DE Jamaal Anderson – Falcons – 83 to 81 – Still waiting on his first career sack after being a top 10 pick a year ago.
    TE Vernon Davis – 49ers – 87 to 85 – A lot of people saw him catching more than 4 passes in his first 3 games, big disappointment.
    DE Reggie Hayward – Jaguars – 86 to 83 – Had 27.5 sacks over a 3 year span, since then has 4.5 over 3 years including a year out injured.
    WR Dennis Northcutt – Jaguars – 81 to 79 – Hasn’t done too much on a Jags passing attack that was missing WR Jerry Porter and the invisible Reggie Williams. Matt Jones has stepped up.
    CB Al Harris – Packers – 93 to 92 – Before his spleen was lacerated, looked slow vs. Detroit. Was underrated for a long time and he might be getting old now as people know his name.
    T Chad Clifton – Packers – 95 to 94 – Got beat up by DeMarcus Ware which shouldn’t be a story, but that wouldn’t have happened a couple years ago.
    T Mark Tauscher – Packers – 94 to 93 – Commits too many penalties and looked a little old vs. Dallas.
    WR Randy Moss – Patriots – 99 to 98 – Gave a pathetic effort in week 3 whether not going up for an underthrown duck or his blocking. Looks unhappy and won’t be the same threat without the Brady deep ball.
    CB Tye Hill – Rams – 86 to 81 – Just got his starting job back after the release of CB Fakhir Brown. This was supposed to be his big year but hasn’t turned out that way.
    DT La’Roi Glover – Rams – 84 to 82 – Just benched on the Rams defensive line, that says it all.
    QB Marc Bulger – Rams – 89 to 88 – Just benched for Trent Green, will have his job back in 2 weeks whether due to injury or injury.
    S Corey Chavous – Rams – 82 to 79 – Has been fading for a long time, one of the only secondary’s he could start in.
    HB Ray Rice – Ravens – 80 to 78 – This guy hasn’t been as good as advertised, Willis and McClain seem to have the running game under control.
    DE Jason Taylor – Redskins – 98 to 97 – Is injured and hasn’t made the overwhelming difference some thought he may. Now he is injured.
    DT Brian Young – Saints – 85 to 82 – Long time overdue. High effort player and can’t get off blocks anymore.
    LT Marvel Smith – Steelers – 88 to 87 – Big Ben took a beating last week vs. Philly.
    TE Alge Crumpler – Titans – 86 to 83 – Bo Scaife has double the catches and double the yards of Alge.

    Injuries
    C Tom Nalen – Broncos – IR
    LB Dan Connor – Panthers – IR

    New Roster Update For This Week GUYS

  • Radie
    September 26, 2008 at 11:47 am
    Reply

    Was that really necessary? It doesnt belong in a comments section and it certainly doesnt belong in a story about NHL 09… unless there is a new hockey team called the Raiders… oh and look, there isnt.

    Pasta, did you ever send me the invite? I been insanely busy and havent been on XBL in a few weeks.

    I am a pretty skilled player that can certainly help the team… I am a GREAT passer. I can score my share, but I really shine when I set people up. I can help bring some wins.

  • Matt
    September 26, 2008 at 11:57 am
    Reply

    Could you add me to the team? Gamertag: Ridgeberg

  • Raczilla
    September 26, 2008 at 7:51 pm
    Reply

    I’m on right now if anyone is interested in playing.

  • Ray
    September 28, 2008 at 12:59 pm
    Reply

    I’d love to join if you still have any spots left.

    Gamertag: RNJ13

  • Nolan
    October 2, 2008 at 5:24 pm
    Reply

    is any1 else having a ton of trouble finding a spot on a team cuz i have been trying ever since the weekend it came out and still cant get on a team.

    in that case would anybody needing another player on their team be interested in me joining their team?

    my tag is: shwaguy

  • moe
    October 9, 2008 at 5:55 pm
    Reply

    if there are any spots my gamertag is officalhitman

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