Before we shut the book on NHL 09 and turn our full attention to the next iteration, we put together a recap video of four game Purple Cobraz' sweep over the NHL Regulators.  For the full versions of the games, check them out on the Inside EA SPORTS blog:   EASHL Championships

Since the teams finished early, we also provided the them with some time playing NHL 10.  From the feedback we received there's no doubt in our minds that the title has taken yet another big step forward and we absolutely can't wait for this title to hit the shelves on September 15th.

Enjoy the recap vid and thanks to all the players who have made this first season of the EASHL a great one!

Last week, two EASHL teams were invited to EA Canada to compete in a best-of-seven game series to determine our first EASHL Champions.  Invited were the Purple Cobraz representing the XBOX 360 along with The NHL Regulators representing the PlayStation 3.  Both teams earned the right to be in Vancouver after defeating three top teams on their respective consoles in the online portion of the tournament setting up the final that took place last Thursday.

Despite the fact that Purple Cobraz ended up taking the Championship in four straight games and controlled the offensive zone for most of the games, the Regs still managed to keep the scores close.  The first two games were played on the Regs home system, the PS3, while games three and four were played on the X360.  The difference was not only timely scoring by the PCz, but also some great defense that hindered the Regs from entering the offensive end most of the series. 

Huge props should be shown to both teams who showed a lot of respect for each other and through the gamesmanship and friendly trash talking, at the end of each game and the series, both teams showed a great level of respect for the stellar game each brought to Vancouver.

Here are the games from the series and unfortunately due to some technical difficulties we were only able to capture the first period of game two.  We will also be releasing a recap of the series which will have some extra Game Two footage missing here, though it's a shame that we can't show you the full comeback that The Regs made after being down 4-1 in that game.  Again, stay tuned for the recap video coming soon!

Scoring goals wins games, but strong defense wins championships.

Today, the Purple Cobraz put on an amazing display of team defense to shut out the NHL Regulators in Games Three and Four defeating the PlayStation 3 Champs 2-0 and 1-0 to capture the first EASHL Championship trophy.

We will be providing video of the full games next week along with a recap video of series. In the meantime, here is a video of the trophy presentation along with some pictures (click to enlarge) from today's series. 

Congratulations Purple Cobraz!!!

The first two games of the series were played on the PlayStation 3 but it was the XBOX 360 Champs the Purple Cobraz who managed to steal the first two games to take the early series lead.

"We managed to score early in both games and that was huge," says PhiFly with six goals in the opening two games. "They took a late penalty after coming back 4-1 and we were able to bury one late to get that second game."

"Going back to XBOX 360 for games three and four will put us back in our element and we're pretty confident that we'll take the series," continues DominationX21.

The first game was a close battle with the PCz taking the early lead and then followed with the second goal in the third before Cromey21 of The Regs got one late to make it respectable.

"We're not playing good enough blueline defense.  These guys are coming in clean and we'll need to adjust," says The Regs Stackdrama.

Game Two saw the PCz get out to a 4-1 lead behind three goals from PhiFly and one from NfldTim before Stackdrama added two more goals to go with his early one and a goal from Jones412pa to tie the game.  With less than a minute to go in the third, PhiFly found the puck at the side of the net and put it away to close out The Regs in Game Two.

With both teams getting a break we'll flip the switches for Games Three and Four on the XBOX 360 console.  Here are some pics from the first two games:

Though the two teams have never played each other, the fact they are representing their respective console as the best teams in the EASHL has split the group in two. 

"It was a pretty quite shuttle ride to EA," says PCz GM Mattocaster7 as both teams had their game faces on and were hesitant to even talk to each other for fear of giving anything away.  Today at EA Canada, twelve of the best EASHL players in North America made their way to the Burnaby studio to get a tour of the facility and a look at their opponents.  And from what I saw, these guys are serious on winning the first ever EASHL Championship for their respective consoles.

The XBOX 360 Champs, the Purple Cobraz came sporting team jerseys looking sharp and unified as well as confident that they'll come out on top.  Not to be outdone, though they may not have team jerseys, The NHL Regulators representing the PlayStation 3 are making bold predictions of their own especially after capturing the first prize, the coin toss.

"We didn't come all the way to Vancouver to lose," comments c-trax, the goaltender for The Regs.  By winning the coin toss at the pre-series meet-and-greet with the development team, the series will play its first two games on the PS3 with the next two on the XBOX 360.  If necessary, teams will alternate consoles to determine the first EASHL Championship team. 

After hanging out with both teams on this first day, they shared a lot of stories from their experiences this year from shuffling lineups as teams determine who their best players are to dealing with cold streaks where they even wondered if they would even make the post-season.  Once the EASHL Invitatoinal was announced however, these two teams did what they had to, came out on top, and earned the right to contend for the Championship on Thursday.

Here are a couple of quick videos with some of the players following our day at the studio..

Check back on Championship Thursday to get the latest from the Finals.