Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

[rink23]

I'm probably the oldest person playing this game, probably the oldest POS playing any video game (49).
But the one thing, I cannot master is the faceoffs.
I started a season on rookie mode. I played very well, going 10-4-2, having won well over half of my faceoffs and the game seemed quite realistic. But it wasn't that challenging, and the constant tips that popped up on the screen were a real turn off.
I moved to pro. My faceoff percentage dropped to about 1 percent -- winning one of 10 -- and while most of the game seemed real, because of my inability to control the puck off the faceoff. I was losing games 3-2, 2-1 etc and being outshot by a wide margin.
Any suggestions? I turned the faceoff slider to zero and it didn't seem to make any difference.
I tried the tutorial, got to the point I was winning 60-70 percent of the faceoffs there, didn't change anything in the game.
It seems other people have had faceoff issues, has a way to master them come about.
Thanks to anyone that can offer some help.

[jyoung]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

You need to pick a stance and hold that stance until the ref drops the puck.

Hold the joystick to the left or right, then move your stick once the ref moves his hand.

Players' face off ratings are also important. A rating of 80 or above is usually good enough to get the job done against the CPU.

[stooge 1010]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

now I don't feel so bad, im 45 and my wife says im too old for video games,hopefully I will be playing a lot longer.

[13whitebread]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

I am 44 and I love playing. Mostly since my athletic days are behind me. I have a blast and have played since the 1st one on the sega. I cannot wait for next gen for the many improvements to come.

[Yundtder]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

Trick is to be in a stance, left or right, most do better on strong sides, IE backhand, so if its a lefty C, hold your stick to the right.
Then just watch the refs head, as soon as he looks down and is about to drop the puck, pull it back.

Timing is key. I can win about 70% reliably.

[cemprae48]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

I play on PRO with FACE-OFF DIFFICULTY set to 3... I have good games and bad games... My worst center has a rating of 70 (Hanzal)... My best has a rating of 85 (Vermette)... I find that with the better rating you can start your move earlier... The lower rated guys really have to time it up...

BTW... Old fart???... Not even close sonny... I'm a young 68...

[TerryP]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

I appreciate the tips here as well. I'm a 40+ gamer myself and still have fairly quick reflexes, but the online manual regarding faceoffs leaves a lot to be desired, so I lose about 90% of mine vs. the cpu. This certainly would've been a good tutorial subject, but that would've made figuring it out too easy I guess(?).

[GlennN]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

Nice to know I'm in good company here, I'm 47. Face offs are a problem for me too. I tried turning the slider all the way one way, then the other, with no apparent effect. I wish it could be made easier. I really don't want to have to practice face offs (that's not how I would enjoy spending my limited gaming time) and my results are poor (the ratings do not have nearly enough effect in this area).

[zonadrk]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

I am 50 and love this game, Madden, NCAA Football, and MLB the show. It is such a great escape from life's stresses or whatever. When I was a kid I imagined some day when video games look just like real life. I think with the next gen consoles it looks that time IS NOW! CAN'T WAIT!!

[raneman85]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

I'm 52. I play EASHL with a 70 yr old. You have to mix it up as I think the CPU adjusts as do humans.

[Terps483]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

I'm 42 and only play OTP and occasionally club. I gave up on faceoffs and playing C altogether.

Love the game, but online can be frustrating. I like playing D and can usually hold my own, but the forwards in this game online are just too overpowered. Way too fast and their ability to steal pucks is ridiculous. I mean, I could be 2 strides ahead of them and they can poke check the puck loose. Crazy. Everything else seems very realistic, but the speed of the 5'2" forwards that you just bounce off when lining up a check (if you can catch em) is out of control.

For the most part, it takes about 10 online games to find one evenly match and really fun matchup. Either you are totally dominated by a club team with crazy forwards and D men that knock your forwards from the goal line to the blue line or you are on a team with a terrible goalie that gives up every shot on goal.

I never quit, and just try to enjoy the bad ones and look forward to the good ones.

Good luck with the faceoffs!

[NHLandPESFan]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

Thanks for making me feel young at 43 everyone! I mostly play ranked online and have noticed that it seems like I either win 90% of the faceoffs or lose 90%. I generally push and hold the right stick to the opposite direction of the handedness of the center before the faceoff and then use the pass button to pass back to a defenseman when the puck is dropped, with the varying results I have mentioned.

[isildrae]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

So new this year is the idea that the longer you hold your stance, the more powerful your face-off will be. So get in your stance early and hold it.

The AI will adjust to your habits, so mix it up.

I recommend looking at this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFbJsYP2qLg

You should be able to pick up a trick or two from it. There a lot more faceoff combinations than you may have first thought.

Sorry to spoil for granddad party...I'm only 28 ;-)

[TDKing]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

I don't have this game skipped this year but just turned 50 :o soon us old peeps will out number the youngsters LOL ....

[bjderbys]

Re: Old fart - Can't win a faceoff

There was an exploit where players were spamming the faceoff dot and winning well over their fair share of the faceoffs. A patch came out basically making your faceoff chance zero if you try to win the faceoff by taking any action prior the referee dropping the puck.

Take a stance early, don't move, and time the draw. The referee will look side to side twice or three times. If you move on the second time and he is doing a third, you have just lost your draw.

Hope that helps.