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Screens & Info Updated: 8/11/2004

New to ESPN NHL 2K5 this year is the franchise mode, stressing the importance of strong management. A good GM must not only know how to balance the budget, but also know how to scout out the best talent. ESPN NHL 2K5’s Franchise mode invites players to become the ultimate GM with the Live Scouting feature. Gamers learn to invest time and resources wisely when scouting different hockey players from all over the world and make draft selections based off a variety of statistics. The GM’s scout oversees workout schedules, attends rookie-only games, and even puts potential draftees through several skill exercises to make the most well informed decisions.

With all the hard work comes a lot of rewards and players will be able to experience that first-hand in the newly expanded Skybox. New items that include historic All-Star uniforms, new "create-a-team" logos, as well as the new unlockable Heritage Classic mode are all available in the Skybox. Players can take a breather from the intense NHL action with games of trivia, air hockey, or even shuffleboard. For all those looking for the top prize, there’s a Stanley Cup pedestal in the Skybox for a reason and GM’s don’t win "The Cup" by playing air hockey all day.

Ahhh, fighting... what would a good hockey game be without it.

While fighting happens in hockey, it doesn’t happen without a penalty and it doesn’t happen without reason. There is a time and place for fighting and what hockey fans will experience in ESPN NHL 2K5 is the physical intensity that players endure in the span of three periods on the ice. Gamers will witness how physical hockey can get in the NHL through the new Intense Contact Controls. On defense, tapping the Right Analog stick towards an opposing player will perform an Intense Contact technique that can hinder an adversary. Clicking down on the Right Analog stick and tapping a direction will execute a much “stronger” move that can knock down a rival player, but will most likely result in a penalty getting called.

Of course, if players get a little too physical the opposing team’s tension might sky rocket into a fight, where you’ll see the revamped new fighting engine. Use new jabs, uppercuts, and grappling moves to maneuver with complete freedom on the ice to get better position. Just remember that there’s penalty box time after every fight. So, for the best success, a balance of finesse and skill combined with some good physical energy is essential to the success of any hockey team.

• Intense Contact Controls - A completely re-designed fighting engine offers full-movement fighting -- including grappling, dodge, grab, and multiple punch moves -- while improved checks and new contact moves help keep your opponent at bay.
• Online League Play - The standard-setting online quality that you have come to know from ESPN Videogames now includes online leagues and tournaments, a real time sports ticker that gives updates of other games in progress, and an advanced messaging system that let’s you keep in touch with your opponents whenever they are online.
• Control your destiny - An even deeper Franchise Mode offers multi-player support and features worldwide scouting, enhanced minor leagues, and full coaching staff control.
• Expanded Skybox - Deeper and more interactive than before, this season’s Skybox features more than 150 unlockables, including more retro jerseys, remote outdoor locations and more.
• Full Stick Control - Execute sliding poke checks, swipe at loose pucks and more with new defensive stick controls that give you hands-on stick movement in a variety of defensive situations.
• Best presentation on the market - The exclusive ESPN presentation system has been enhanced with locker room and JumboTron cut scenes, more commentary, more crowd chants, more music with custom sound tracks, and yes, ice girls.