Should the computer really go on a breakaway allyou have to do is speedburst to catch up and heavily check the computerplayer from behind. Rebounds are the second best way to score and can raisethe number of shots on goal above 100 in a 60-minute game. All the defense does with the reboundsis put them in their own goal. It still happens every now and butyou will not loose every game because of this. One of the motives to play sports games is to learnsomething about the sport.
Hockey is a good looking and hard-checking sport,so far everything is alright.
But hockey is also about good shots, decentpasses, great scores and spectacular goaltending. And NHL '97 doesn't get close to real hockey here. If you are a hockey fan you willnot be able to walk past the graphics and the sound. You will want it whenyou see it. Thehockey pro will beat the game after one playoff series, the hockey noviceprobably after the first or second full season.