from the CP at CBC,

"When I look back at NHL 13,I feel like we fell short a little bit on the aggression piece of it," said Ramjagsingh.

That meant upping the ante on big hits and fights.

"There is a code in hockey and when it's broken, you have to respond," EA notes in a press release.

Critics may decry the improved fighting component. Fans will celebrate that the game, already a marvel in recreating the one-ice product, is even more authentic. Take a run at Sidney Crosby and there will be Penguins payback.

"For us, it's a part of the sport, it's an authentic part of the sport," said Ramjagsingh. "We work very closely with our partners at the NHL and NHLPA, make sure that they understand we're telling the story of their sport. That's why the speed and skill part is just as important as the aggression piece.

"The game is about the Datsyuks [Detroit star forward Pavel Datsyuk] and showing off their skill and their speed, as well as the aggression piece. And why the aggression piece is so important to allowing the skill piece to happen ... Fighting is a little bit controversial to some people but for hockey fans out there, and casual hockey fans, it's an important part of the sport."

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