Although it may be tempting to crush the opposing puck handler at every opportunity, playing solid defense in hockey involves knowing when to go for the kill and when to play conservative. Both EA's NHL 09 and 2K's NHL 2K9 provide you with three different checking options: a poke check, a body check, and the ability to hook your opponent.
Poke Check - Your defender will thrust his stick in an attempt to knock the puck away from the puck handler. This is the most conservative of your checking options and, while it will occasionally draw a tripping penalty, this happens only rarely. Your recovery from a poke check is very fast (in fact you can flail your stick constantly if you like) and it will not compromise position.
Body Check - Your defender will hurl his body towards the puck handler in an attempt to knock the player down and dislodge the puck. The is a more aggressive check and has a greater likelihood of drawing a penalty (though still a low chance). While a body check has a greater likelihood of winning possession (since the offensive player will be down on the ice), the recovery time in the event of a miss is longer and may place your defender out of position.
Hooking - Your defender will attempt to grab or impede the motion of the puck handler with his arm or stick. In both games, this is a very risky maneuver and will often result in a penalty. This is typically used if your defender has been beaten and you need to stop the puck handler in order to prevent a sure goal. Even then, using this move may result in a penalty shot for your opponent.
The mistake many new players make is an over-reliance on the body check. While the risk of using the body check exclusively in NHL 2K9 isn't significant (because of a slight magnetized checking effect), using the move carelessly in NHL 09 will often result in 3-on-2's, 2-on-1's, or even breakaway opportunities for your opponent.
Example 1:
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| As the defender in front of the goalie approaches the puck handler, he misses on his body check attempt. As a result, the puck handler is able to navigate around the defender for an open shot right in front of the goalie. Attempting a body check in the open ice is risky because the quality puck handlers can avoid the check. | |
Example 2:
(both close-ups and overhead views are provided)
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| Here, the defender is in a one-on-one situation with the oncoming puck handler. Instead of engaging the puck handler, the defender conservatively skates backwards slowly, allowing the puck handler to get closer. | |
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| Once the puck handler has gotten within a few feet, the defender puts on the brakes while maintaining position between the puck handler and the goalie. | |
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| The defender uses a poke check to dislodge the puck from the opponent. Notice both the long range of the poke check and that the defender is still in position in case the check wasn't successful. | |
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| Having bought time for his fellow teammates to catch up to the play, the defender is now in position to screen the former puck handler from regaining possession. | |
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A teammate is able to regain possession and thwart the attack. | |
When playing defense in the open ice (especially against skilled skaters), the poke check is a great way to win back possession without compromising position. While you will still want to use body checks, reserve them for when the puck handler is along the boards or amongst a crowd as the puck handler's motion will be restricted.
