EASHL... what is my team doing wrong?

[ipushmycar]

Me and a buddy started a 2 man pro team. We are both great NHL players as we have played religiously since NHL08.

I am a superstar PWF. I am 5'10" 200lbs. My checking is a 91, my balance is a 90, my puck control is a 90. I have all 5-point boosts equipped on my player. I read awhile ago that durability, aggressiveness, toughness, and endurance do not apply to EASHL. So... I do not upgrade these stats. Is this good advice?

Simply put, my player cannot hold onto the puck. My player cannot check. My player gets thrown around like a midget in a bath robe.

The opponents CPU players are ALWAYS better then ours. Our players run from the puck, won't cross the blue line, do not poke check, and frequently allow the opponent to skate right through them. It is nothing short of... sabotage.

As soon as I cross into the offensive zone, I have 2 CPU defenders and 1 human player on my butt. As soon as I come within a few feet of these guys, my player loses the puck. That's right... they don't even need to check/poke/lift to get the puck from me nor my human teammate nor my CPU teammates.

Meanwhile these guys skate around like ballerinas, weaving, bobbing through traffic as if it was a game of Team Canada verse a bunch of pee-wees.

Ive tried every defensive strategy, yet still our CPU teammates are not only useless, yet seemingly working for the other team. They pass is right to the opponent, regardless of whether we call for the puck or not. They refuse to clear the zone during a powerplay. A CPU player will have a clear breakaway, and not shoot the puck, rather pass it to nobody (this happened tonight) as soon as he's in front of the net.

My question... what are we doing wrong? Is there some vital stat, like aggressiveness or durability, that we may be lacking? EVERY game we are at a noticeable disadvantage. Its very frustrating. Luckily, we have a winning record... simply because the majority of the teams we face cannot score without the glitch shot or one timer... which we actively defend against. Yet, they still score, simply because the puck goes right through my stick/body on well placed lay-down or knee block.

tl;dr - What is the secret to EASHL? Why do other teams regularly dominate us puck possession wise? Any tips on how to make our players not completely useless? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[tgalv]

i always change the strategy to high pressure tight point. if they have no defenseman and never pass to the point, then pick collapsing obviously. your AI players seem to be better pests when they are more aggressive and you will see less of them running away from pucks in the corner. some games just don't seem fair from an AI standpoint no matter what you do. some of it is the game i think, and some of it is kinda in your head probably.

[voodoo_magic]

Couple things I'd like to add.
First, over in the eashl forum it's been confirmed by a developer that aggressiveness and toughness are actually useful.
Aggressiveness will intimidate the other team when you hit them, making it harder for them to connect on passes, and to keep control of the puck.
Toughness helps you to avoid being intimidated.
These are neutralized some if your team scores and after each period.
Second, the cpu players are sometimes playing in the wrong position.
If you check the player stats of that forward that stays back by the blueline or just seems dumb in the offensive zone, often they are a defenseman.

[ipushmycar]

Good advice!

However this problem is not in my head. It's extremely obvious that my team is at a disadvantage. I always play high pressure defense. Yet, they still allow the opponent to just go right through them.

Even on collapsing, my CPU defense will back skate and stop about 3 feet from the blue paint, allowing a perfectly open one-timer. It's rediculous.

Something is wrong here and I'm about done trying to figure out what. It is simply not fair- the puck NEVER goes to my guys. And even when it does, they don't pick it up. EVERY TIME. It's not my imagination- I've been playing this game enough to know what is what, and this is just ridiculous. EVERY opponent is faster then me. EVERY opponent is more agile, stronger, better puck skills, better shots. It makes NO sense... when my guy is a 92 speed 90 accel, he gets out skated by EVERY player on the ice that is not on my team. Their CPU defense is godly, so much so that every team I play just cherry picks because their defense just dominates my whole team.

Not only this, our goalie lets in the easiest shots. Slapshots from the blue-line, point, etc. No screen just a little slapper. Goes right in EVERY time.

I'm really sick of this sh**. I love hockey with all my heart, and to not be able to play a legitimate team game is so aggrevating. Obviously the opponents are using some sort of player build that dominates all others. I have not figured out this secret. But the real matter at hand here is OUR CPU DEFENDERS SUCK. They do NOTHING to help. They NEVER steal the puck. They NEVER try to hit or poke the opponent. All they do is sit there and pass it right back to the opponent, EVERY TIME. And no, we do not call for pass. I am not exaggerating.

[kerosene31]

Our team always gets destroyed online now too. Even players who have higher attributes still get dominated (we were good when the game first came out).

Some teams we play are fine and are evenly matched, others it is like they are playing a different game. They can fly around like they have no limits on attributes.

I think everyone just puts all their points in speed and puck control (or whatever it is). They seem to suddenly win most puck battles and can dominate the game.

I only have my veteran card and it is nearly impossible to poke the puck away from people with the highest ratings.

[Roggie]

Best advice? Stop playing 2v2 and join a club.