With a lockout looming in the National Hockey League, the season is hanging in the balance. But for those of us who like our hip-checks virtual, EA’s venerable NHL series has our backs with NHL 13.

Diehard fans of the Vancouver-developed franchise know there are some changes under the hood. And while you’re enjoying that new AI, skating, and other bells and whistles, hit pause and take a second to appreciate the handiwork of some VFS alumni who worked on the title.

They include Gameplay Designer/Producer Landon Nguyen (Game Design), Cinematic/Gameplay Animator Seigo Tanaka (Classical Animation), and Gameplay Producer Ben Ross (3D Animation & Visual Effects), who walks us through some of NHL 13‘s features in this video from E3:

NHL 13 hits stores today. Congrats, team! Lace ‘em up!