Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
DECLAN
“Crowd is fired up today,” Cash says, shooting a puck my direction before I fire it into the goal during warm-ups.
Looking around, I’m surprised to see that most of the fans are here earlier than normal. That new-season excitement is a living breathing thing in the arena.
Even more so because we’re unveiling our championship banner.
And I get to do it with my wife in the crowd.
“I’ve never done anything like this.”
“You mean play hockey?” Troy jests.
I do my best to flip him off in my gloves.
“I mean get to be part of a championship ceremony like this.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you, man,” Cash says.
“I think that might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get used to it.”
Cash goes back to firing the puck at the goal as I do a few more laps around the ice to get my legs warmed up.
People are pounding the glass as we all skate around the rink.
God, I love this feeling.
The entire season is before us. Every team is on the same playing field. No wins and no losses. Even though we get to celebrate our championship from last year, as soon as that banner is hung, all bets are off.
As we’re called back to the locker room, I take one last look around the arena, now almost packed.
Fuck. I really can’t wait for this game to get started.
I know where the family suite is and I know that Alice is here tonight.
I’ve always loved that she’s come to my games. Even before we got married, she would come to my games. She was there at every college game, and whenever she could come to Nashville, she’d be there.
I like that she’ll be here more often.
Hell, to almost every game if she can.
When I get back to the locker room, I can’t sit still. Throwing my stick and gloves into my cubby, I pace around the Black Diamonds logo that rests in the middle of the carpet.
“You good?” Nick asks.
“Ready for the game to start.”
“Might as well sit down. We still have thirty minutes before it starts.”
“Right.”
I plop down next to him, blowing out a breath.
My legs bounce as I do my best to calm my excited nerves as we tick closer and closer to the puck drop.
Before I know it, Coach Barney is walking into the locker room in his always pristine suit.
“Alright, gentlemen. I know we’re all excited to get out there and see our newest banner in the rafters, but there’s a lot more than just celebrating tonight.
Tonight, we start a new season. Fresh slate.
I know the pressure that the outside noise can put on a team.
But I want you to shut that out. I want each and every man in here to focus on your game.
To play together as a team. That’s what I want.
It’s a long season, and I want to go out there and start it off on the right foot.
Let everyone talk. I know what our team can do.
Now go out there and show me what you’re made of. ”
“Hell, yeah!” Cash shouts. He corrals the team to the middle of the locker room. “Let’s go out there and give our fans a show tonight! Black Diamonds on three. One, two…”
“Black Diamonds!” everyone yells.
Fuck. Yes.
I follow the other players out of the locker room as Troy—our captain—claps each of us on the helmet as we go.
When the team is announced, the crowd noise from earlier is nothing compared to now.
It’s fucking electric. It’s a wave of blue in the stands as everyone sports the team colors.
The lights are low as a video from last year’s season starts.
It’s hard not to get pumped up when they’re showing our highlights.
By the time they get to the part with the team lifting the Cup, the arena could break sound records with the noise pulsing inside.
The lights come up and the banner for last year’s Stanley Cup is unveiled. Damn. I see these banners everywhere we play. It’s nothing new.
But this is the first time I’ve been a part of one. To have contributed to the team winning it. And fuck, it feels amazing.
After the anthem is sung, Coach Barney calls us all back to the bench before the puck drop.
“Alright, gentlemen. I know it’s cool to see that, but we need to put that behind us. Focus on our game. Focus on Anaheim. They are a good team, but I want to show them we’re better.”
I take my seat on the bench as the game starts. It gives me a chance to let my excitement settle and check out how the other team is playing.
No matter how much film we study, there’s nothing like seeing our opponent in action.
It’s clear Anaheim is good, but watching Cash and Troy work together? They are unstoppable as they move down the ice. Their stickhandling skills are unmatched.
Anaheim’s goalie blocks a shot before their offense take it down the ice.
“Paddack. You’re up.”
Waiting until our guy is off the ice, I hop over the boards and start flying, skates crunching under me. Nick is ready for them and blocks the shot on goal with ease.
I can’t marvel at his skill because I’m neck and neck with Cash as we head toward our zone.
Troy is there with the puck, firing it to me. Pulling my stick back, I shoot it at the goal. Anaheim’s goalie easily blocks it, but I get the rebound. With Cash getting into position, I pass it to him and he is able to sneak it by the goalie, hitting the back of the net.
The horn sounds and the lamp lights up as the crowd erupts.
“Way to go, man!” I skate over and congratulate him.
“Great assist.”
“Great job, guys!” Troy claps us each on the shoulder pads.
Fans are banging on the glass as we skate back to center ice to resume the game. We’re able to get the puck and put one more on the board before I’m heading back to the bench.
Damn, does it feel good to have an early lead. Still plenty of game to play, but skating with this group of guys? It feels fucking amazing.
“Great job out there, Paddack,” Coach Barney tells me.
“Thanks, Coach.”
I love how even-keeled he is. He never gets too excited about the wins or too down about the losses. I’ve only been playing for him since the middle of last season, but it’s the kind of coach I’ve always wanted.
We keep Anaheim at bay during the second period, even getting another goal, but they start off the third period by scoring.
“Shit,” I mutter, knocking my stick against the board.
“Paddack. Williams.”
Cash and I take our positions on the ice.
“Let’s do this, man.” He bumps me in the chest with the butt of his stick.
“Fuck, yeah.” I grin back at him.
I’m not going to let one goal get to me.
We win the face-off and Cash is on a tear. He charges straight toward their goalie, faking a shot before passing the puck back to me.
Pulling back, I aim and send the puck sailing over the glove and into the net.
“Yes!” I pump my arms in the air, jumping on Cash.
“Way to go, Paddy!”
It always feels good to get the first goal of the season under my belt. Takes the pressure off the need to score.
I skate back to the bench for the line change, and Troy is able to get another goal within a few minutes.
After that, it’s smooth sailing.
We’re able to hold them off until they get an easy shot late in the third. But it doesn’t matter. By the time the final horn sounds, Colorado wins 5-2.
Everyone is jubilant as we skate back to the locker room, talking of celebrations and delayed workouts in the morning.
Me? All I can think about is getting to celebrate with my favorite person.
Hell, yeah.