When it comes to EA Sports’ powerhouse franchises it is hard to top Madden. EA is very aware that the most popular sport, after NASCAR, in the U.S. is football and doesn’t shy away from playing favorites. But this is only a misconception made by the gamer who has not experienced all that EA Sports has to offer. Many of the gamers I know, especially the Canadian ones, are huge NHL fans and tell me numerous times how excited they are for the release of NHL 11 and all of the new features it has in store. Finally, I will get a chance to see what they are taking about when the game’s demo will be released this coming Tuesday, August the 17th.

At 2 P.M. PST (on the Xbox 360) and some time between 1-5 P.M. PST (on the PS3), bash brothers and figure skaters alike will be able cruise out on the ice. The demo includes a very tiny taste of two of the game’s many modes. In the Ultimate Team mode, players will be able to enter a small tournament with each game beginning at the end of the third period to see how far they can progress. While playing this new mode, gamers will have the chance to unlock player packs that will be able to unlock their respective players when retail version of the game is released. Win the tournament. Unlock a pack. Play the demo. Unlock a pack. Invite a friend to the demo. And unlock a pack. Since I imagine that these packs will end up costing a small chunk of change when the game does release, anyone who plans on playing should jump on this immediately.

The other play mode is the NHL staple Battle for the Cup mode where, in the demo, players will get to relive the last period of the previous Stanley Cup between Chicago and Philadelphia.

If you are planning on buying NHL 11 there is no reason not to at least play this demo to try and fight off EA’s tyranny and earn yourself some free player packs. If you aren’t planning on buying the game but you are interested in some cross-checking fun, then try out the demo this Tuesday and maybe you will end up pre-ordering the full game that same day.

So Ranters, you ready to get back out on the ice? Anybody have a hankering for reliving some of the great Mighty Ducks’ moments? Sound off in the comments below.

NHL 11 triple dekes its way onto the PS3 and Xbox 360 on September 7th.

Source: Game Informer