What is Hockey Stars?
Hockey Stars is an arcade sports game created by WeLoPlay and released in July 2023. The game puts you on the ice for fast head-to-head competition, where your objective is to slide the puck past the opposing goalie into the net before your rival scores on you. You choose your favorite national team, maneuver across the rink, leap into position, and fire shots at the target. The title runs directly in your web browser with no downloads or installation required.
Key features
- Head-to-head competition: Face off in tight matches where positioning and strike timing determine who takes the lead.
- National team selection: Pick your preferred country before hitting the ice rink.
- Local multiplayer support: Share your keyboard with a companion to compete in side-by-side matches.
- Aerial maneuvers: Jump into the air to gain momentum and deliver powerful strikes toward the opposing goal.
- Flexible keyboard layout: Control skater movement and puck shots with dedicated action keys.
- Cross-platform access: Playable across desktop browsers and handheld mobile screens in landscape orientation.
How to play
- Select your representative country from the team roster.
- Choose between challenging the computer opponent or setting up a local two-player duel.
- Use your movement keys to skate toward the center of the rink and contest the puck.
- Jump into position to intercept loose pucks or gain leverage over your opponent.
- Press your shoot key to launch the puck toward the opposing goal line.
- Guard your own net from counterattacks while pushing the puck across the scoring line to win the match.
Controls
| Action | Keyboard |
|---|---|
| Move left, right, or jump | W, A, D or Left arrow, Right arrow, Up arrow, Down arrow |
| Shoot puck | J, F, or L |
Match mechanics
Success on the ice depends on maintaining control of the neutral zone and timing your offensive rushes. Skaters can leap upward to alter the angle of deflection or slam downward into the puck with increased force. Because defensive recovery takes time after overcommitting to a rush, protecting your net requires balancing aggressive shots with steady defensive positioning.
Tips and strategy
- Time your jumps carefully: Leaping directly over the puck allows you to strike it downward with added velocity.
- Avoid vacating your goal crease: Charging forward without securing possession leaves your net completely exposed to rebounds.
- Use wall rebounds: Bouncing the puck off rink sideboards helps bypass a defending skater who blocks the direct lane.
- Anticipate loose pucks: Position your skater where the puck is deflecting rather than chasing behind it.
Game modes
Single-player match
Compete against an AI opponent representing a rival country to practice puck control, shot angles, and defensive timing.
Local multiplayer
Challenge a second player on the same keyboard for direct competitive matches without needing an internet lobby.
Similar games
If you enjoy fast-paced competitive gameplay, explore these titles:
- Air Hockey Championship Deluxe — A tabletop hockey title focused on fast mallet deflections and table bank shots.
- Pixel Volley — A retro two-player sports game featuring timing-based aerial hits across a shared court.
- Tank Trouble 2 — A local multiplayer arena game centered around bouncing projectiles in confined spaces.
Developer and history
Hockey Stars was developed by WeLoPlay, an independent game development studio known for browser-based action titles like Tag, Stickman Bike, and Wall Jumper. The game was released on July 13, 2023.
