The early 80's first party nintendo sports games are generally seen now days as clutter that wastes spots on the virtual console/Nintendo switch online. And to various extents that's correct, however Ice Hockey does deserve credit for being the first sports game made by nintendo that's truly unambiguously fun (Punch out is only technically a boxing game)

Ice hockey is incredibly fast paced (especially for an NES game). Features fun co-op and was also the first nintendo sports game to use the tried and true formula of heavy, medium, and lightweight characters as a way of encouraging multiple playstyles