Category Archives: Real Life Hockey

What not to buy this holiday season. Video Entertainment Edition

With the holidays fast approaching; it is so easy to panic buy and just rush out and buy anything within your price range for your hockey fan friend. By following this handy guide; we can tell you what gifts to avoid – unless of course your friend happens to support the Red Wings; Then its okay by us. [Just kidding, we love all fans of teams here…]

Don’t Get: NHL 2k11 (Wii)

Taking a year off of PS3 / Xbox360 (well lets face it when you face competition as good as what EA puts out who wouldn’t step aside) didn’t mean that 2K sports spent all their hockey energy and inspiration on this game.

Reviews from major websites describe the game as: “a big letdown compared to last year’s great arcade hockey game” (Game Spot), “Clunky shooting and passing” (Game Revolution) and “NHL 2K11 had a lot of potential” (IGN) whilst user reviews rank at a mediocre 5.

Instead Get: NHL Slapshot (Wii)

Providing your in one of the countries it ships Slapshot features a rather unique stick attachment. Sure; it lacks the Ducks third jersey, uses the NHL06 engine but with a metacritic score of 76; and even a score of 8.5 on our very own powerplaygoal.com

Don’t Get: Slapshot 3

Even comedy legend Leslie Neilson couldn’t save the continuation of this once great movie franchise from heading down the toilet. Us here at PowerPlayGoal.com had the pains of watching this “film” whilst on a hockey related trip to Sweden and like most other people; found it to be awful. If you’re a fan of lame puns, plot holes and bad child acting then by all means purchase away – however should the person your buying the gift for not like such features in a movie don’t expect them to ever talk to you again.

Instead get: Sudden Death

Sure its predictable an features Jean-Claude Van Damme but its one of those bucket of popcorn; guys night; feel good action movies.
Featuring an epic mascot fight scene; Explosions galore and a pre-Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins this film might not be the next Inception; but its still heck of a lot better than Slapshot 3.

Don’t Get: D2: The Mighty Ducks

Sure, after several reductions in price and even a spell in the bargain bin this film looks like a great purchase for a hockey fan. You might even be considering it for a young’un to bring them into the world of hockey. But I ask, do you really want them to believe in fairy tale endings and “Hollywood” hockey? Oh and If you do get it, and you get the VHS version I may have to come pay you a personal visit.

Instead Get: Running Scared

Sure, its rated R and contains hardcore drug scenes; gun shots and a fictional team called The Razors – but this 2006 gritty release see’s undercover cop take on a gang of Russians operating a drug ring under the guise of a low league hockey team. Dark, twisted and defiantly more authentic towards hockey this movie would suit most fans of thriller movies; and show little kids that there is more to hockey than winning; and heck, the cover says it makes Kill Bill look like sesame street, so there is something kid related to it. Yay.

Don’t Get: Backyard Hockey DS

This game was one of our first reviews; and we looked at the DS version. This game is ranked 4/10 by IGN and we gave it a 1 out of 10; because it does have some hockey in it.
It is buggy, sluggish and overall not that much fun – however its as close as you will get to hockey on a DS.

Do Get: NHL 07 PSP

Yes, its heading towards being 4 years old now; but its still regarded as a good game by critics and a lot of fun by fans. Sure, its missing a lot of features that the consoles have nowadays; and maybe the Ducks are yet to win the cup with it but its the closest thing you can get to hockey on a handheld.

I’m kevkev, and I hope my quick guide to what you should, shouldn’t and must destroy video entertainment special has inspired you this holiday season.

Christmas 2009 Gift Guide

Whether you’re still looking for that last minute perfect gift, running around like crazy because you’ve left it so late, or perhaps you’re just looking for the perfect gift to buy us (thanks!) you cannot afford to miss the PowerPlayGoal.com 2009 Christmas gift guide. So, check out our suggestions for the fan type that you’re buying for and then sit back, and await the cries (joy or misery – we are not fussed).

For the fan who won’t appreciate anything:

Always the most awkward person to buy for, so this year why not push the boat out and buy them something insane, crazy and simply the middle finger and a text message to “not bother next year”.

The Boston Bruins offer a VIP suite birthday package. Yes, that right I said Birthday – this gift kills two birds with one stone, doesn’t that save you hassle! This includes 18 tickets, food, drink, cake (!), a personalised scoreboard message, fan gear for everyone and a visit from the mascot, or a Bruins Girl.

If you’re not a Bruins fan, then other teams offer similar packages.

The suite packages start as sweet as $2300, and even if your friend dislikes it, at least you get to meet a Bruins Girl. Or the mascot. Whatever makes you tick.

For the fan that spends all summer longing hockey:

Hockey is hard to find during Summer, as lets face it – its pretty much all about Baseball, maybe Football near the end. So why not plan the perfect get away. And where better than a trip to Oz. Because they are below the equator, the seasons are all topsy turvy, and it’s a bit like Opposite Land. Sydney is arguably one of Australia’s most visited cities and is home to the Sydney Ice Dogs.

The Australian Hockey season runs from late April through to the beginning of August, and with American Airlines Vacations offering a wide range of hotels and plenty of flight options from most major U.S cities why not buy a gift certificate!.

Vouchers are available from American Airlines and start from $50, so you can look cheap or generous.

For the fan who idolises Sidney Crosby:

How about this “wonderful” and “not at all tacky” collectible souvenir coin. Embossed with Sidney Crosby’s grinning face on one side, with the Penguins logo on the other side, the person receiving this gift will treasure it for years to come. Except when another recession kicks in, and they attempt to spend this coin at Target and fail miserably. Expect a law suit.

Avaliable at sportsmemorabillia.com for the not so tacky price of $29.95

For the fan who wouldn’t recognise a real from a fake:

If the person you’re buying a gift for has no clue what’s real and what isn’t, why not take advantage of their idiocy (and I mean that in the nicest possible way) by buying a fake jersey.

Sure, the stitching doesn’t look right, and the colours wrong and New York has never used that logo, but alas, they won’t care. Just encourage them to not wear it when you’re with them.

Fake jerseys can be found cluttering up eBay, and start from as low as $2.99. And they say you cannot put a price on dignity.

For the fan who will wear anything related to their team no matter how bad:

Some people will wear anything. So why not purchase them a hat. Not just any hat though – one with a unique style that perhaps may have been acceptable in the late 80′s early 90′s or perhaps is regarded as a crime against fashion by most other people.

Finding something this terrible can be quite a feat, but eBay is once again the place to go, and we found criminally bad clothing as low as $24.


For the fan who lives in the past:

Many people still go round saying how much they want their old NHL team back, but the reality is – would it really be like the good old days? The hamburgular did’nt steal the team, they moved due to reasons – low season ticket sales, bad attendance, shoddy rink. Still for those that wish to hang on, printfection have the perfect range of tshirts for you. Ones that display your messages of protest – so that maybe the “evil” Gary Bettman will take note!

T-shirt’s male and female avaliable from printfection.com starting from $24. Try protesting that that low price!

For the fan who hates sunbelt teams:

For those of you who hate the teams that play on the west coast, or all the way down south – Take a trip.
Use a service such as stubhub to pick up some cut price NHL game tickets for one of the many teams below the “sunbelt”, and unlike Toronto right now, see some decent Hockey. The LA Kings are pretty damn hot right now, and the Sharks are always on form – Or if your more of an Overtime fan, then check out Dallas!

A ticket that changes your perspective can be found at stubhub.com from $29! That’s a win right there!

For the fan who longs to be a mascot:


Perhaps you’ve noticed your friends obsession with mascots. Well, make their day by buying them a mascot costume from the vast range available on Cheer etc. Perhaps it will even finally give them the push to become your local teams new mascot. if all else fails, they can always become a furry.

Mascot costumes are available from cheeretc.com and start from a “furtastic” $300! (though they seem to average at least $1000)

I hope that these gift suggestions have helped give you an idea into what you can buy your friends, family, co workers, estranged sisters. And remember, your welcome to send some Christmas cheer our way. Cash is always welcomed.

Happy Holidays,

KevKev.

PowerPlayGoal.com has no affiliation with any of the sites linked to in this entry, and are in no way responsible for the results of buying these products or your experiences on the websites of these links.

What not to buy a hockey fan this Christmas

Hi and welcome to this years what not to buy guide. Last year I focused mainly on eBay (I would show you some stuff but its all on the “old” site, so I don’t have it to hand) And apologies for the long time since my last article, I am a university student after all, and sadly I have work to do.
So, on with the article we go.

Ok, your best mate is a hockey fan, or perhaps you’re the parent of an eager hockey enthusiast, and you’ve got absolutely no clue what to buy for Christmas. Well, this guide will suggest some things not to buy, and if you have them, well perhaps you should check to see if you have the receipt and head back to where you got it from, and don’t say we didn’t warn you.

1. Backyard Hockey DS

What is it: The first and (only) NHL game produced for the Nintendo DS.

Why should you not buy it: Its possibly the worst game for the DS. Well that’s unfair, because this is the console with a recipe book that somehow got classed as a game. But it is shockingly bad, with poor graphics, gameplay and worse still, stupid controls – It’s a classic case of a company trying to be smart with controls, and failing miserably.

Our Suck-o-Meter says: Epic Fail

2. Bobble head Sean Avery

What is it: A miniature figurine of the player Sean Avery, complete with a wobbling head

Why should you not buy it: It would most likely start insulting you, failing that, it could start a fight with any other bobble heads that you’ve collected through the past, knocking their blocks off in the process. If you think that’s a little unrealistic, what if the person twanged the head so much from frustration with hi lack luster performance on ice, the head broke off, and got swallowed by a small child? Still a good idea? No. Defiantly not. Case Closed.

Our Suck-o-Meter says: Wang-Tastic

3. Fake Ebay Hockey jersey

What is it: A shoddily sewn together “jersey” made in some guy from Alabama’s garage.

Why should you not buy it: Stop whining about the fact that the real things are so dammed expensive. Unless the person your buying the jersey for has no clue about hockey at all I am sure they will notice the odd colours, the hole forming in the back, from the stitching, the beer stain from the guy who made it in Alabama, and of course the over obvious fact its fake. Oh and if this doesn’t deter you, it could be flammable, or contain toxic materials…

Our Suck-o-Meter says: Like buying a Rick Astley CD

4. D3 Mighty Ducks

What is it: The final installment of sugar coated hockey pain from Disney

Why should you not buy it: Because it singe handedly destroys the meaning of hockey. Its not about having a good time, winning and perseverance. Its about blood, sweat and men with sticks hitting each other. Am I misguided or what?

Our Suck-o-Meter says: Disneyoriffic

5. Romford Raiders Season Ticket

What is it: A ticket that lets you see every Romford Raiders hockey game this season

Why should you not buy it: Because no person deserves to pay a lot of money to watch low quality hockey, especially if its in a rink that’s falling apart, filled with rather unpleasant fans and subjected a shitload advertising.

Our Suck-o-Meter says: Like being forced to watch a televised chess tournament

So there we go. Five presents not to buy a hockey fan. If you buy them anything from this list, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Until next time readers, please do enjoy hockey from a different angle.