Puck Control

Why does a BAP character not have the ability to pick up a puck or at least a button on a controller to do that? Many time as BAP I get beaten to a puck by a NPC( yes they are NHL players) even  if they are behind the BAP how do they get a puck? They do not reach for it I try to maybe poke it ahead but most times the NPC somehow always get the puck? Do EA( it in the game) not actually let players be in the game?