This week’s lone release on Xbox Live Arcade will be EA Canada’s NHL Arcade, the publisher’s 3-on-3 arcade take on the popular Canadian sport. The downloadable game will sell for 800 Microsoft points ($10); the PS3 version was released last week.

Not meant to be taken seriously, the big-head hockey game will feature fast-paced action, power-ups and more. There’s also a multiplayer mode with ranked matches.

Look for it this Wednesday.

Electronic Arts has announced their second hockey game this season – a downloadable effort dubbed NHL Arcade.

The opposite of its big brother – NHL 09 – the game is said to pack “fast paced action, crushing hits and loads of room to experiment.”

“Serious is not the name of this game,” noted EA. “Deliver devastating checks that send your opponent over the boards and watch as he has to skate back onto the ice. If the goalie comes out of his crease to play the puck, check him… fly down the ice with a super-speed skater, and beat a giant sprawling goalie with a trick move.”

The game will be priced at 800 Microsoft points ($10) and will feature 40 top NHL stars and two control schemes. It hits PS3 and Xbox 360 in February 2009.