I've played music for my sons' home hockey games at our area rink for the last three years. In fact, I had even asked on this forum a year or so ago asking for suggestions on some good songs for hockey games.
It seems to me that you have to have a variety (minus country and most hip hop) that fits what is going on before and during the game and the reaction/mood of the audience. I'll play everything from Elvis (A Little Conversation) when the officials are taking longer than normal, to songs from Godsmack, Puddle of Mud, Trapt, POD, Alien Ant Farm (hard rock, metal...take your pick) to the (original) Monday Night Football theme, ESPN Hockey Night theme, or Fox Sports Hockey theme, to Tequila (and other classic 50's and 60's) or some traditional hockey organ music, or AC/DC, Kiss, Van Halen, Bob Seger, Fog Hat, Grand Funk to some techno type music along with somg songs such as The Hockey Song, Drop That Puck or the Puck Drops Here, Gary Glitter's Rock and Roll Part II for goals, to other songs from different NHL teams. I've even played the Chicken Dance once or twice (remembering the audience, a lot of young kids, these are Mite and Squirt games).
Regardless, it would seem to me that whoever would be in charge of audio/music at a game, they should have a variety and played at the right time that makes sense. Watching the crowd, you can usually tell when they are getting into the game and the music. Personally, I prefer the hard edge at a hockey game.
I also play Ram Jam's Black Betty, but based on what I've read here recently, it may be a matter of time before I'm outlawed from playing that What will they ban next!!