Sports and casino games are pretty much a perfect match – and both are widely played forms of entertainment for Canadians. With the national sport of Canada being hockey, let’s take a look at some of the best hockey-related casino games that you won’t be able to resist if you’re a hockey mega fan!
Many hockey fans enjoy placing a little parlay on the biggest games of the season. Others simply enjoy hockey as a fond pastime and can relive that past time through hockey-related online casino games in many provinces of Canada – such as CasinoSource in British Columbia.
But which one of these hockey-themed games is the right one for you if you’re looking for some fast and furious casino action? Let’s take a look at three of the top games.
Why hockey is so well loved
Let’s take a quick look at why Hockey is such a treasured and beloved sport in Canada. Whilst not quite up there with football, it has an absolutely fanatical fanbase – and you may actually be surprised to know that it’s the national sport of not just Canada but also Finland and Latvia!
This could be down to the fact it’s a winter sport and these styles of events are more popular in colder European countries. Or it could be down to the fact it’s an absolutely thrilling and white-knuckle sport – you’ve got the flair and style of different players, intense action and don’t forget that always-present sense of danger that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Maybe it’s these elements that help lend themselves so well to casino-style games and slots – you can take risks just like the players whilst enjoying elements of the sport and feel the thrill – all from the comfort of your own home.
Without further ado, lets move on to the top 3 games:
Hockey Hero – Real Time Gaming
Hockey Hero is a slot game that is produced by Real Time Gaming, which is known for its fast-paced, action-filled slot games. Players can play on 5 reels with 25 different paylines.
The reels are chocked full of different hockey-related symbols including skates, a beer, a referee, hockey players, goalies and the penalty box. Aside from the homage to hockey through its symbol, another nice feature of Hockey Hero is there is quite a decent chance of winning when compared to some other slots.
One of the ways this game pushes a higher win rate is through its bonus. When you manage to get the bonus round you’ll bag yourself a nice 18 free spins. During these free spins, a symbol from the reels is removed – meaning you’ve got a slightly higher chance to win. Even if you don’t manage to win anything during these free spins, you still get 200 times whatever amount you bet during the triggering round.
On top of all this, you’ve got great visuals that really nail the feeling of being in a hockey game. All in all a decent package for Hockey Hero.
Break Away – Microgaming
Another heavy hitter in the online casino industry, Microgaming came storming into the industry with the ice hockey hit slot game Break Away. This slot is well known by fans for its incredible sound effects, which are about as close to being at a real game as it gets.
The game itself is optimised for mobiles, meaning players can enjoy Break Away anywhere they get an internet connection. The gameplay is top notch with great bonuses and a focus on being as close to the real game of hockey as possible.
Break Away was such a hit that it even spawned a sequel – Break Away Deluxe. This deluxe version has plenty of extras for players to enjoy including an interesting substitutes feature that can increase your chances of winning.
Ice Hockey – Playtech
Whilst not winning any prizes for an original name, Ice Hockey by Playtech gives hockey a fun spin by having a more cartoony feel. It’s this take that gives it more of a fantasy feel, making the game more relaxed and fun than the other two on this list.
The game lets you pick one of the two towering giants in the ice hockey scene – Canada or Russia – which gives the game a sort of sense of rivalry towards whoever you’re playing against. A nice little touch is that the multipliers in the game are controlled by the pucks.
Conclusion
Whether you fancy a more realistic hockey slot game or want to get down as Canada against the Ruskies in a fantasy dream match, don’t forget to support your local team and head down to the rink to spur them on.
Hockey will always be one of the symbols of Canada. It’s enjoyable in its online casino form and maybe you’d want to get a few spins in before a big game to get yourself in the mood, nothing quite beats the adrenaline you get when you’re at an actual hockey rink!
