For a while now, I have been trying to find someone to write about APBA Hockey. Enter Robert Mosher, fellow Boys of Summer APBA League manager. He picked up the game and playing regularly. Once I saw him posting about it on Facebook, I asked him if he was willing to share his experiences. Lucky for us, he agreed. –Tom
Looking to get some love for the APBA hockey game, Tom invited me to write an article or two about my experience with the game and why I play it. First of all, I am by no means an expert as I never played it or seen it before I opened the box this summer. Second of all why hockey? Like most of you, I am an APBA lifer. Been playing baseball since 1978. Mostly master but basic game and BBW also. Many great golfers, bowlers and football players also made their presence here. I got reacquainted with the new golf game 3 years ago and participated in the TGA tour you may have seen online. I was looking for another challenge.
I gave much consideration to soccer and hockey. After reading an article by Kenneth Heard and his excitement of getting back into playing hockey I was sold. Ordered a new hockey game and was surprised the new season cards were available already. I figured that being I became very knowledgeable with the baseball master game and all the details of the master football game that hockey should be manageable.
Back in the late seventies I purchased the basketball game and that game defeated me. Rolling dice for every pass was painful. That was my concern for hockey, how could a non-stop action game be replicated in a board game? Baseball, football, golf, bowling were roll the dice get a result and then another play.
Hockey came with a neat little booklet with all the charts and rules, hockey rink and 2 great teams of the past. Gretzky’s Oilers and Lemieux’s Penguins. Yellow shaker and the dice that brings it all to life.
After looking at cards that made no sense to me and looking over rules and charts I had the feeling of another bad investment. This did not appear to be easy. I couldn’t find the main charts for game play. Although I didn’t know what I was looking for. Yeah they were in the booklet. I was looking for player to player pass charts with different zones to pass to. Still damaged from the basketball fiasco.
After figuring out what charts to use I put some cards on the table and just started rolling dice and it started making a little sense. No extra rules, no penalties just roll dice and get the flow down. No line changes just tried to get the flow down. Maybe 5 minutes, I get frustrated put it away. Kept reading the booklet and bits and pieces started sinking in. When playing baseball all the rolls and results become second nature and I figured with time hockey would be the same. Roll the dice, look at the card, look for the result, read rules again! 10 minutes later becoming frustrated and packing it back up. Ok read through the booklet again.
I finally played a game! Took a long time and was plenty of scoring. Like 12-10? I sent out a few questions to the Facebook group and found my errors (Facebook group is a great resource).
I figured if I could get about 10 practice games in it would start to come together. Others were saying it takes around an hour to play a game and I was running a little over 2 but making progress. Game time now is about 75 minutes which is cool. Enjoying the game is more important than quickness of the game.
I’ll get detailed into how I play the game in the future. With only about 60 games or so under my belt I’m by no means an expert.
Looking forward to tonight’s contest as the franchise Montreal Canadians are getting ready for the franchise Toronto Maple leafs in my 32 team tournament. Should be a great one!
Until next time thank you,
Bob
Thanks for sharing your initial experience with the game, Robert. Looking forward to reading more Hockey content from you!
Hi Tom,
Nice article. I am not ready to try hockey at all, but would love to be able to play Kane and the Hawks against Gretzky and the Oilers, or the Red Wings of the 90’s.
I remember from my one and only adventure outside of baseball was with football. I hated it. Constant having to remember making lineup changes for almost every play and it took about 3 hours to finish one game so I understand the pain you started with.
Glad that unlike myself you were able to see it through.
I recently started playing the hockey game as well. As a long time baseball player, the transition to the hockey game is less daunting after 2 games even. There are lots of dice rolls for shots but other than that it’s a lot of fun.
I really enjoy the hockey game. I agree the learning curve took a few games, but once you understand the notations it flows very well. I’m about 50 games in, & am having so much fun. I change lines every 2 minutes & match up lines etc. The games really highlights players strengths & weaknesses.
I’m quite pleased with the information in this one. TY!
Hockey stats realistic and team replays real to real life?
A few years late, but hey? First 2 games took about 3 hours but quickly brought that down to around 75-80 minutes. I think one of the keys to this game is setting your line matchups and defensive pairings before you begin…like real coaches do. You then just roll the dice. The game has a nice flow to it (most of time) and is fun to play. A perfect game? Nope but then none of them really are…
I started a draft season with the Olympic Hockey set. I have seen where the NHL teams are having adult “Classic” tournaments. I was thinking about mimicking that format. They use 12 min periods. I played a period using 12 mins & changing lines every 2 mins with 3 lines. Tried 15 min periods with line changes every 2:30, that seemed to be better. Anybody else ever try the youth(classic) tournament model with shorter periods? Wondered if that would work with 3 friends having a 1 day tournament using 12 or 15 min periods. It would reduce game to 45-50 mins.