@@%%%%%OOOOOO%%%@@@@@@@@@@@@@#@@@ O%%@@@%%O 888888%%% O O%@@@@@@@@@@@%@ O%OO%O O OOOOOOOO8##OO OO O%@@@%%%%%%@ O%@@@O O%@@%%%%%%@ @@%%#@ O%%%%%%%%@@ @@O%@% %%O%%@@@@ @@O%%O O%O @@@@@ %% @@% O O%@@@@@%# %#########%% #########@ @#########@ O%#########@ %#########@ @########### #########@%O##########O O#########@OO#########@@ ############# #########@ O#########@O %##########%O@########@@ ####################### #######################@ ##########%@# ##########O%###########@ %#######################O%##########O@# O#########O%O%##########%%@########@% O@#########@ %#########%%%%# %#########@O%O%#########@ %#########% %#########@%O#########@%%O%%%@@@ ##########@% %#########@O%#########@ O@#########% @##################@@ @#########@%@ @#########% @#########% @#########@ %##################@@# O%%%%%OO%O O%%@@O%@ @%%%%%%%OO OO%%@@%OOO @%%%%%%%%OO OOO%%%%%@@O %@%%%%%%%%%%O% %%%% O%@% %@@@@@@%%%%%OOO %O%@@@%%%O O@@@@@@@@%%%%%%%%%OOOOOOO%%%%%%%@@@@@@%O %@###@@%%O%%%%OOOOOOOOOO%%%%%@%% OOOO%%%%%%%%%%OOOO =============================================================================== NHL 2002 (PC) FAQ Written by ChaosDemon (chaosdemon007@yahoo.ca) Last revised March 30, 2003 Version: 1.00 Latest revisions of this FAQ may always be located at: http://www.gamefaqs.com =============================================================================== =----------------= =Legal Disclaimer= =----------------= This document was _originally_ typed up in Vancouver B.C., Canada and posted by GameFAQs(http://www.gamefaqs.com). Copyright 2002 Tony J. Tso. All rights reserved. Nothing that appears in this document may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written(or typed up) consent of Tony J. Tso, copyright owner. By even opening this text file, you instantly agree to obey this disclaimer. You may not use this document with/on any kind of printing device(s). If you wish to host this document on your website/magazine/ please drop me a line at: chaosdemon007@yahoo.ca, or AIM me at ChaosDemon007, OR MSN me with the address vampiro_07@hotmail.com. This FAQ may NOT be sold for profits. Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of the guide! =-----------------= =Table of Contents= =-----------------= Version History...........I Default Controls.........II Offensive Strategy......III Defenseive Strategy......IV Play Now..................V Season...................VI Playoffs.................IX Tournament................X Create-a-Player..........XI In-Game Strategy........XII Team Rosters...........XIII (Coming Soon) Credits.................XIV =============================================================================== Version History =============================================================================== March 30, 2003 -------------- -Added all the info =============================================================================== Default Controls =============================================================================== Player with Puck (Keyboard) --------------------------- Shoot: Spacebar Pass/Faceoff: C Speed Burst: X Deke: Z Directional Arrows: Skate in that direction Player without Puck (Keyboard) ----------------------------- Hook/Poke Check: Spacebar Change Player: C Body Check: X Big Hit: Z Directional Arrows: Skate in that direction =============================================================================== Offensive Strategy =============================================================================== Winners Pass ------------ When playing NHL 2002, it's important that you know when to pass and when not to pass. When to pass: the perfect time to pass is either you're getting hounded like you're holding a million dollars in your hands. By this I mean, everybody playing hockey is fighting for the puck for their team, and when you have the puck...you know what happens. So, what do you do when you're getting attacked by big heavy hitters like Tie Domi? You pass! Pass it to anyone that either can accept the pass without being checked or just anyone you see fit. You can also dump into the opponents' zone and then charge in after the puck again to gain possesesion of the puck again. When NOT to pass: Passing is always... a good thing to do, but maybe it isn't, take this example for...example. You're carying in the puck with Pavel Bure, and then you look infront of you, it's Scott Stevens waiting for you. Then you think "it's time to pass" you look to your right and you see Theoren Fluery guarded by Bobby Holik. Then you turn to your left...you see Eric Lindros and no one's guarding him! Thats the way to pass right? So, you pass, then suddenly your pass was intercepted by... Patrick Elias, and, he scores! The mistake here was Patrick Elias was just a couple steps away and he was anticipating the pass all along. So look out for players who aren't "doing" anything. One timers = Goals ------------------ Although I don't guarntee each one timer you connect will score you a goal, I do 61% of the time. This may sound like a load of horse feathers, but it's true, one timers are VERY fast and usaully you barely see where the puck goes. If you really want to see a strong one timer, try passing it to Rob Blake, or Jarome Iginla. To perform a one-timer, pass a puck you one your wings or defensemen, then press Shoot just before the biscuit gets to the player you're passing it to. He will perform a quick shot to the goal, but it will miss 4% of the time. Here's a little bit of strategy to get you on the 'winning side': Bring the puck in from the centre, [you, not the player] stop and look at your left and right for a left or right wing to pass it to as you move into the opposition zone, move in to the outside slot and pass it to the right or left then shoot. The goaltender will have to cover a lot of the net and he may not get to the shot in time. Take a good look when shooting ------------------------------ When you bring it into the opposition zone, you might not want to just throw the puck at the goaltender and hope for a rebound to come out and then charge the goal with everything you've got. Thankfully, there's other things you can turn to. When bringing in the puck, stop somewhere and look around for one of your wingers open. If you find one, pass it to him and maybe take a good shot with an open winger. The best way to do this is wait for one player to come up and attempt to strip you of the puck and keep it long enough until back-up comes. There is someone on your team guarnteed to be open, and that's the player you want to pass it to. Set up in the zone ------------------ [This one thanks to IGN Guides] If you can consistently set up your offense in your opponent's zone, you will score a lot of goals. The idea is to keep your centre and both wings in a semi-circle in front of the goal. The two defenders will camp out near the blue line. Keep the puck moving quickly with sharp passes that avoid lunging defensemen. This requires discipline and good timing. Move the puck to one of the wings flanking the goal, then work in a loose circle. Pass back to the defender, over to the other, then down to the other forward. Pass across to the center for a one-timer. Then, collect the rebound and try anew. This much puck movement (as long as it's controlled) will destroy your opposition. Make them pay for overpursuit. Dumping in the puck in helps you -------------------------------- If you're not such a good puck handler and you can pull off those sharp skating moves, luckily for you, there's another way to charge the goal. Simply pass around up to the blue line and shoot it in! Then with all your players, charge in for the puck. This is risky sometimes, but it helps if you're one of those bad stick handlers. There's also another benifitial point to this tactic, if you like using just one player, tell the puck handler to shoot it (this can be done with rapid pressing of B) then charge right in and grab the puck. Breakaway tactics ----------------- I know, I know, a lot of you right now are thinking: "Why do we need help on making breakaways, they're the easiest way to score!?" Yes, that's true, but you most likely only get one or so oppurtunities, and if you miss scoring the your first chance, then you might not get another. Luckily, you have a decent amount of time to think, it helps even more if you're using someone like Pavel Bure (fast skater) you can go five-hole or go glove side or here's one of my tactics. If you're shooter is shooting left, bring it down the left side of the ice, then hold B and hold A (while still holding B) and this will perform a nice deke on the goaltender once you've done that, just let go of A and press B to perform a beautiful goal(if you're shooter is shooting right just do everything opposite.) Odd-man rushes -------------- Ahh...yes...one of the most dangerous plays in the history of hockey today. An odd-man rush is when the puck holder charges into the zone with a winger and there's only one defensemen, causing a 2-on-1, or 2-on-0, etc... this is (in my view) the best oppurtunity for you to score. The defense will have to think quickly and act even quicker, either way, there's gonna be someone open. Most "D" will go after the puck handler, forcing a move, whether it's a quick shot or (most likely) pass to the open wing in the zone. Once you carry up the puck, move into the opponents' zone and hold down spacebar, but don't shoot, instead, aim to the direction of your wing, then press the pass button twice, this will one; fake out the "D" and Goalie, two; leaves your teammate even more open. Use the whole rink ------------------ When playing NHL 2002, this is one of the key things to do: use the whole rink. Move all over the place, behind the nets, your own zone, just name it, when you playing hockey, the most important thing is to have possession of the puck and keep it. Do what you have to! Pass it back if you need to and even just going back and forth. Know The Symbols Under your Player's Icon ----------------------------------------- In NHL 2002, there are some symbols implented into the game. These symbols tell you what this player specializes in. Hammer: The hammer means this player is a big hitter, and if you use the big hit button, he will really bring down the player he's hitting in a big, big way. Hockey Stick: This means your player has a very powerful shot, and if you hold down the shoot button to get to its maximum potential, it will be guaranteed to be over 100MPH. Target: This player has excellent acucracy. No matter what, his shots will hit the net. H on Shield: This player is a hero. He will step up when he has to. In other words, these guys will score the big goals for your team. =============================================================================== Defensive Strategy =============================================================================== Do NOT pass the puck infront of your goal ----------------------------------------- If you feel like going 3-78-1 on the season, then do it. Doing this is just assisting your opponent to an easy goal. Pass the puck along the boards instead. When being hounded by the Offense, don't be afraid to ice the puck ------------------------------------------------------------------ If you're being attacked by a lot of attackers and attacking you at the same time, and you just don't believe that your goaltender can withstand the offense, then ice the puck! This will bring the puck back to your end, but at least the action is stopped, and you may of taken a goal back from the opponents. Don't focus all your attention on one player -------------------------------------------- It's okay to be afraid of guys like Pavel Bure and Joe Sakic, but don't be frightened so badly that you put five checkers on them, this will leave all the other players open. Don't even double team them, if they beat your first defender, he'll have to beat four more, so just think of it that way. Protect the middle of the goal ------------------------------ No matter how much I tell you, you have to listen, the middle of the goal is like, where 97% of the goals get scored. No matter what, ALWAYS leave at least one defender infront of the goal. Even better, have like four players infront of the goal and then have one player go around and fore check the others. Defending the odd-man rush -------------------------- If you are outnumbered as the offense enters your zone, they are on an odd-man rush. Always skate to the player with the puck to force the issue. Either he'll put up a weak shot or force a pass. If he does get a shot off, most of your squad will make it back by that time to help out. Short handed Defense ------------------- [This one thanks to IGN Guides] While the opposition is on the power play, defensive discipline is extra valuable. Make sure you clog the area in front of the goal and knock down anyone who enters this sacred realm. Don't lunge at every pass. Just attempt to stay generally in front of the play as it's happening. If you go aggressively at the puck, you could miss, opening up a clear path to the goal. Clear the puck whenever you get it, or look for an outlet pass for a counterattack. There is no penalty for icing when shorthanded. =============================================================================== Play Now =============================================================================== Here's the mode where you can just get to playing without worrying about anything big happeninig to your team. Just to have fun with the team of your choice (both opposition and yours) you can re-arrange the lines, change the starting goalie, and everything like that. You may also set the skill level: Beginner, Easy, Medium and Difficult are all at your finger tips. Exhibition is the basic mode for you to get down and dirty, without worrying about how well you're going to do. To me, this mode is just like a friendly practicing session. Great for beginners and veterans alike. I still play this mode sometimes, and we all know how good I am...but with practice, you, thats right, _YOU_ might even be as good as me someday! =============================================================================== Season =============================================================================== Here's my abosulute favourite mode, this is where NHL 2002 really shines, everything from Trading to signing a Free Agent is all at your finger tips. This is the mode where every game counts, will you win the division and advance into the playoffs or suffer the pain of being one game back of your rivalling team? That's what shoots into you and adrenaline rushes into going through your body when you play the games in the Season mode. I especially like the fact that _your_ team takes it to the ice that _you_ personally created, you think, "was it really worth it to trade Curtis Joseph and Yanic Perrault for Rob Blake?" Your answer should come in the first game, the two options of: "Yes, these two will bring the team all the way!" or will it be: "@*#$! how can the guys not even register one shot on the goal? And Cujo, 5 goals on 7 shots?!" With NHL 2002's new added CPU Trading, you can no longer trade a rookie for Pavel Bure. You will have to actually make logical trades. The CPU will also prompt to trade with you, too, and it's up to your to decide is it worth it. At the end of the Season you will enter the Off-Season. This is where the free-agent signings happen. If you picked big-market teams like the Colardo Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings, you can sign just about any player there is. It's important when playing Season that you make your very own lines, but be careful when doing so. My favourite trio is the best line in the NHL today: Brendan Morrison (Centre), Markus Naslund (Left Wing), and Todd Bertuzzi (Right Wing). For your scoring line, don't put mediocre players, put all your best players in your team. =============================================================================== Playoffs =============================================================================== Here is the playoffs mode where all y'all like. You can't create-a-player, here(which really sucks) if you want to go for the Stanley cup and see the cup itself, you've come to the right place! To win the cup, you must defeat the computer in a best-of-7 series (which can be lowered to 5,3 and 1) if you manage to win the series, you'll win the cup. I recommend you don't go with your back-up goalie unless you have a good one. Remember, to the best of my ability, I'm going to tell you how to win. Play every shift with passion, hunt down the puck, make the big hits, get those ugly goals and play the powerplay like a pro. Remember, every shift you take and every shot taken _COULD_ be a game breaker. Make the good passes and all those things mentioned earlier, and I'm confident that you'll come out on top. Good luck to you. Here is another mode for basic hockey, you'll square off against any teams of your choosing to attempt to bring home the GOLD MEDAL. Prospects are in TEAM CANADA(My FAV TEAM!) and TEAM USA. Just in case you forgot, there are a lot of ways to win games. First you'll have the round robin in the basic table that looks like this: (12-or-8-teams allowed) 8-game tournament ___ <___> ___ | ___<___> _|_ | ____ <___> | ____<____> ___ | | <___> _|_ | GOLD | ___<___> | ____ _|_ |________<____> <___> | ___ | <___> ___ | | ___<___> | _|_ | _|__ <___> | ____<____> ___ | <___> _|_ | ___<___> _|_ * <___> *: Losers of these games play for BRONZE MEDAL =============================================================================== Create-A-Player =============================================================================== A very fun part of the game indeed. This is where you get to create your own players! You can change everything from his height, to his shooting ability. You can even import your very own face using the "Import" feature. Once you create your player he will be in the Waivers section. =============================================================================== In-Game Strategy =============================================================================== =-------= =Offense= =-------= Funnel ------ Here is a nice strategy to generate more shots from the slot area, creating more scoring chances. You're left wing will be near the two face off circles, and you're defense, centre and right wing will try to get the puck to the left wing and take some shots away. You can easily score with the strategy, but if your opponents counters with the Box Plus 1, the Funnel's effectiveness will be taken down greatly. Positional ---------- Here's a tactic that I don't 100% understand, but I know if one your players get taken off play, another will take his back, but that leaves and area of the ice open for clear passes, but when attacking with this strategy, dump the puck in more often to avoid big checks. Triangle -------- Here's the strategy that requires experts to use. If you're starting off, don't use this one. This is designed to overload the left side of the ice, and your offensive players attack in a triangle, and to keep this going, you must keep the cycle going. Crash the Net ------------- This is a strategy that requires you to crash the net. All your offensive players will charge the net with everything you've got. ...more to come =============================================================================== Credits =============================================================================== Jeff "CJayC" Veasy: For posting this FAQ EA Sports: For creating this game IGN Guides: For some strategies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for reading! -EOF-