What's happening?

ahhh i misread. yeah you can play really clean hockey and all it takes is one bad play and you pay for it.

i try to not use any defensive moves like poke or stick lift, unless i must. i try to just physically put myself between the net and the puck and let them make a mistake. that means i have turn faster to get back, i have to watch for cherry pickers. 

Thanks for the tips. We did'nt check back in though...we never stop playing for the last 5-6 years. 500-1000 games a year. We play until the next NHL comes out (little stop in say June -July). 

I personnaly have been known (in my club) for the go to D guy. Nice poke, nice positionning. Coupe of hits here and there, no head hunting, always the last man standing. All of my abilities have disappeared...

YOu can now skate backwards (not me, I can't) witout any fear. Poke will give you a 2 min. You will slide on the hit....1-2-3 guys will look like total noob...Oh and if that poke goes well....it'S gonna go STRAIGHT on an opponent stick. The famous magnet.

All and all we fell the game is unreal. You have to play unreal hockey.

(And don't start me with the shark, bear, wolf octopus head. Good job EA.)

you have to learn, as a team, to spread out in 'lanes' across the blue line as your opponent approaches. at least make a team effort to slow down, push sprinting opponents outside to the boards to protect the net,  you have to be vigilant to stop these cheesers but it can be done. 

i know exactly how you feel. this game has advanced in areas that can feel hostile for people who've played this game for a long time, and maybe are just checking back in. things like X factors, Animal Skins that are buyable prebuilds, like it's probably super jarring for someone who's just coming back in.

i wish there was better matchmaking because it's really easy to get wiped out by people who have played this game like it's their job.