The Big News: The Pensblog Cup

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this took longer than expected to announce but nonetheless here it is.

I am pleased to announce that a intrasquad tournament will be held in the coming weeks that will be called The Pensblog Cup (creative title eh? I made it up myself believe it or not). The tournament will consist of anywhere from 4-6 teams made up of members of Team Pensblog. The number of teams depends on the feedback we receive from the members. We look to try to hold this monthly or semi-monthly with the current title holders names on display on the blog for millions dozens of people to see every day.

Format and Rules:

• A round robin format meaning all teams will play each other.
• Each matchup will be a 3 game series to ensure that getting jobbed will not cost you too much.
  
• The top two teams will play a 5 game series to determine the winner.
• In the event of a tie during the tournament, the 2 teams that are tied will play a 1 game playoff to determine who will play for the cup.
• The tournament will take place over a 3 or 4 day time frame.
• The date and times will be decided by what is best or close to best for everyone or mostly everyone.

Registration:

• Registration will begin immediately. Email me at zboslett12@yahoo.com if you are interested in captaining a team. The new members of Team Pensblog will be included in the next competition but I stuck with the regular, dedicated players to make up the first roster.
• The team name "Free Candy" is already taken.
• The gamertags listed in white are "free agents."
• Captains, talk to your fellow team members and try to organize into teams. Email me with a team name, who is captain, and team members gamertags.

I hope this was worth the wait. We are excited about this and hope we have full participation. More details will follow as we figure them out along with updated rosters.


UPDATE: Team Billy Tibbets added and team E added

NHL 09 Patch

Thank god:

Hi there, David Littman here.

We are in the process of putting the patches up for both the X360 and
the PS3.
PS3 Europe has already gone up, and PS3 North America and both X360
patches should be up within the next week or two.

First and foremost we have fixed the "dirty disc" message issue that
some people are seeing on the X360.
For the PS3, we have fixed the issue where there are sometimes white
flashes or flickers during gameplay.
So, if you have seen one of the above, you will be happy to know they
are fixed with the patch.

For most people though...the important fixes are in gameplay.
We have listened to all of you, and we have played the game ourselves
every day. While we couldn't make every fix that you asked for because
of time constraints, we did fix most of the big issues, and also
improved gameplay to be more authentic.

• The jersey on the EASHL side select screen is more visible than
  the team logo. This will make it easier for people to see when jersey
  colors clash
• Deking controls normal when shooting downscreen with "Always Up"
  controls
• Checking has been tuned so you will see less big hits from guys
  that aren't traditionally known for hitting
• Less CPU AI one-timers
• Increased the height of dump ins, for a better dump and chase
  game.
• No more goals from flip dumps
• Better CPU AI logic near offensive blueline so they don't go
  off-sides as much
• CPU goalie will not drag the puck back toward himself in a
  shootout
• We have fixed the goals from outside shots that people are
  scoring. We have reduced shot accuracy when on the rush and when turning
  quickly, and from far out. You will now have to be more conservative
  when shooting on the rush. If you aim all the way to the left or right,
  your shot will go wide a lot more. Try aiming more towards the middle to
  hit the net from outside. This fixes the cross goal where you shoot back
  the other way, and the goal that goes in with the "curve" animation, and
  a few others. There's a reason NHL players don't shoot from outside on
  the rush very often. Dumping or trying to set up is a better play unless
  you have an odd-man situation.
• We reduced the time it took to get control of the goalie by 1/3.

• When line changes are set to auto, and a user changes
  lines/defense manually between whistles, the line/defensive pair you
  asked for will come out (or stay out).
• If you have line changes off in Be a Pro, line change player
  chatter will be turned off.
• When using a defenseman in BAP, BAP player won't get stuck on
  the bench and will be able to call for change
• The EASHL will now go to continuous 5v5 overtime until one team
  scores. This way nobody has to sit out, and you get to decide who wins
  (this is now just like the NHL Play-offs)
• The proper own-goal cut scene will be shown where the player who
  scored on himself is upset.
• All cut scenes should now show players sitting in their
  respective team's bench.
• Increase AI team aggressiveness and the likelihood of them
  getting called for a penalty on an infraction.
• If Vision Control is pressed, you do not throw a hit when in
  front of the attacking net. This helps with rebound shots.
• Increase the likelihood of a penalty if the stick hits the body
  during a stick lift.
• Reduce the accuracy of shots for penalty shots and shootouts.
  Aiming for just inside the post is a lot tougher now

Along with these changes we are still working on the server side of
things to make sure that the EASHL and online play is always improving.
Keep checking our website for more information on the EASHL play-offs.

Thanks
-David Littman

-From http://www.easports.com/nhl09/blog.jsp first seen on the PS3 team site. All I can say is finally.

-Big News coming late tomorrow-Friday for Team Pensblog Regulars. More info to come.

Roster Updates

So there have been some roster modifications today... namely removal of players that have played less than ten games in the one and a half or so months the game has been out. If you are a new player to the team we took that into account as was the case with P DUPUIS etc. If you have been playing regularly with the "regulars" you shouldn't have been "modified." If you have been removed and feel as if you have been wronged or insulted by this grievous offense, grow up and drop the gamertag in the comments and you shall be reinstated.


This is not a open team for anyone to join. This is a team for followers of the website thepensblog.com. If you are looking for a team to join there are plenty of teams around. If you are a pensblog follower for more than the past week drop your gamertag in the comments as well. Leave the gamertag and we'll message you.

Random Stuff

Team Pensblog has had a pretty rough past week or so. On Saturday or Sunday, due to about a 9 or 10 game losing streak, the team was in Division 9. Let me repeat that for you, Division 9.

Now the team has rebounded somewhat due to hard work by syniper, ZeroRandomNumbers, Zulu, ScottRandomNumbers, zarley zalapski(formerly assklown 666, 063), Free Candyman, LostDefender, DarkJustice, the prodigal son Meats A Hoo, and Yan.

Keep up the winning because for those of you who allowed that losing streak to take place, shame on you. Play some practice mode because you can't bring that weak ass stuff into this humby bumpy!

Aw Hell Naw!

Some research done by syniper (duff) on the seemingly random ranking system:
Ranking Rumors:

--------------------------------

you need about 4 wins for each loss to move up

on average wins = 20 points, on average losses = -70 points

---------------------------------

The more people playing in a game has an effect on the points earned/loss

---------------------------------

The grades of each player playing in a game has an effect on the points earned/loss

---------------------------------

A shut out has an effect on the points earned/loss

---------------------------------

"I have a theory. The computer player skill attributes are an average of of the human players. Perhaps the goalie attributes are averaged from our goalie skill points as well???

Do we all have our goalie skill points applied?"
--Duff

So just in case this is right (which it very well could be since our computer players always suck) apply all your points including goalie points just in case.

---------------------------------

Team Pensblog AAA official marketing slogan has been announced. They have decided upon an eloquent phrase that really captures the nuances of the sport of hockey. The new slogan is: "Aw Hell Naw!"
It figures to be popular with fans and players alike.

--------------------------------

Everyone on Team Pensblog AAA click me now.

This game (along with the epic fail of last night by the Pens) is crushing my soul so I'm taking a couple days off to recuperate.
Go win some games.
Aw Hell Naw!

Backstrom Moment Part 3

Not much writing for this one because it is 1:49am and I have a 9:00 class...

Video 1: Proof this game hates me.

EA SPORTS World: no goal

Video 2: Legame doing what Legame does.

EA SPORTS World: legame

I actually meant to do that.

Video 3: Proof that I suck at this game.

EA SPORTS World: VIDEO7

Video 4: Poke check. Bitches.

EA SPORTS World: VIDEO8

Video 5: Zero's goaltending prowess. Back to back shutouts. Amazing stuff. Good thing he didn't face more than 6 shots in each game.

EA SPORTS World: VIDEO9

Leave any videos you feel are Backstromy enough to post. Those of you still needing to be added to the team leave a comment and you will get added only if you are active and will actually play the game. We have many people who have played less than 5 games online. Those people who have been inactive will be removed soon. If you are removed and you feel you should not be then leave a comment. EnsErmac i know you have xbox problems don't worry.

Bull

It has been a frustrating week or so for Team Pensblog. Nothing is going our way and we are dropping like a rock despite the fact that we are staying about 30 games over .500.

Some of you out there have asked for a poll or two so here you go...






Vote or don't vote. I don't care. Let's get online and play some games. And preferably win...

Backstrom Moment: Epic Fail

This is my personal "Backstrom moment." A massive epic fail in a shootout. Yes, I completely miss the net from inside the crease. Btw we ended up winning in the shootout 1-0 on a goal from Zero2113.

EA SPORTS World: epic fail

Backstrom Moments

WARNING: The following videos are perfect examples of what I call "A Backstrom Moment" made famous by this priceless moment:



Since this is the first installment of this feature I only have a few videos to post today.

Viewer Discretion is Advised.

The first one occured last night in a game i played with assklown 666 and jrkrush2112.

EA SPORTS World: epic

F.Y.I. that was a computer controlled defensmen. Or Kris Beech.

The next one is me showing off my legendary breakaway skills:

EA SPORTS World: epic

The next few are odd or pathetic plays taken from EASportsWorld.com

EA SPORTS World: WTF i call cheat

Iginla better than Crosby? I think not.

EA SPORTS World: Funny save in practice

Apparently the Flames suck.

EA SPORTS World: PRIZE PLAYIN

EA SPORTS World: Thats just ridiculous

EA SPORTS World: WORST GOAL EVER

Since this game hates my life that goal ^ will happen very soon to me.
Thats about all for now... I'm thinking of having a "Backstrom Moments" and a "Lemieux Moments" feature so send me your videos or leave comments and I will post them.