Stiq Flicks: NHL 13 and Goon

– September 17, 2012Posted in: Gaming News

Stiq Flicks – from film and video game industry freelance writer Kevin Kelly – examines video games and attempts to pair them with matching films. It’s like wine and cheese, but with more aliens.

The US is far from backing professional hockey with the same blind devotion it has for baseball and football, but the NHL’s popularity continues to make inroads into homes and bars across the country – though the coming NHL lockout will stifle that progression. Heralding the potential stoppage and/or arrival of the new season comes NHL 13, arguably EA’s best hockey simulation to date.

Surprisingly, the drama surrounding hockey has often translated to well crafted film experiences: it’s hard to tap the sheer essence of Paul Newman in Slap Shot, there’s the tugging-at-the-heartstrings true story of Miracle, and plenty of people have a soft spot for The Mighty Ducks, which spawned an entire franchise. You can also choose to go arthouse with Mystery, Alaska, or even indie with the iconic rooftop hockey scene in Clerks, which I’m including just because of Kevin Smith’s predilection for wearing hockey jerseys.

But if you want to get to the pure heart of old-school, enforcer-focused, cement-head hockey, then look no further than Goon.

Gallery: NHL 13