Even in league play, injuries never extend beyond the current game.

Hockey combines grace, speed, and violence (Im not talking about fisticuffs here.but about the bone-crunching checks) into a single sport.

Hockey players are some of the most phenomenal athletes on the planet because the sport demands strength, stamina, and flexibility in a way that no other sport does.

Dont even get me started about goalies who catch and stop pucks traveling at over 100mph while huge guys skate around in front of them, trying to disrupt their vision and concentration.

Hockey is the second fastest growing sport in America, and the popularity of EA Sports NHL Hockey is just one more indication.

Just in time for hockeys lockout this past year, EA Sports unveiled its new upgrade, on CD-ROM only, NHL Hockey 95.

NHL 95 features all of the players from the 1993-94 season (Rangers win the Stanley Cup), slick new presentation, improved computer opponents, and (thankfully) no major changes in game play.

Effectively, you have only the following options as the player: skate, shoot, pass.

The computer controls your teammates (you are always in control of the player who has the puck), the goalies, the speed and angle of the shot or pass and virtually every other aspect of play, except line changes.

The game is full of split-second decisions and impromptu creativity.

The best players make pin-point passes to breaking teammates without even realizing consciously that they saw them What the game captures beautifully is the flow of the action.

You have to find open ice, get the puck off in the direction of a teammate before that big nasty defenseman levels you, or fire the one-timer as soon as you get the puck.

You will have no idea how Curtis Joseph got across the net so fast.

It is to the games credit that you actually find yourself staying aware of when the best players are on the ice.

Its not that Donald Audette isnt a threat.its just that Alexander Mogilny is much more of a threat.

Most of the non-game screen have high-resolution graphic images.

The team data and player data screens are absolutely gorgeous, and actually make the game almost worthwhile as a statistical database The actual game graphics havent changed at all.

Theyve added some nice touches on the scoreboard and in the musical track (including Rock n Roll, Part 1) which really add to the feeling of being at the game.

The game sounds are improved as well.youll even hear the goalie bang his stick against the ice to signal the end of a power play.

Certain strategies will allow you to score virtually at will.

On the other hand, if you eschew those strategies, the computer opponents can give you a pretty good game, though over time they stand little chance of beating you.even when you play Ottawa and the computer plays Detroit.

Stamina affects how long players can stay on the ice for one shift, but doesnt seem to affect how well they play late in the third period.

Injuries will force players off the ice for a period, but never longer.

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