Chapter 18
Otto
Exhibition Hockey Game #2
Tonight is our second exhibition game. Coach has really been putting us through the wringer at practice, so hopefully we’re ready. No longer having Levi in the line-up has left a big hole in our defense. I need to step up my scoring this season and Joey will have to block lots more shots on goal.
During warmups, I spot Mia and Emma. They moved from their previous seats near the ice to sit by Nora and Madison. The pair waves at me. Mia is sporting one of those giant foam fingers, making me laugh. That woman surprises me. Under those snooty suits is an ordinary gal who likes hockey. I can’t wait to see her in the friends and family area after the game. Maybe we’ll have another kissing session in the janitor’s closet?
After completing our warm-ups, the team reconvenes in the locker room. Coach gives us one of his typical pep talks. A combination of inspiration and insults.
"Listen up, you gang of skating sausages!" Coach bellows in his raspy voice. "You may think this game is only an exhibition game, but it’s your chance to show me what you’ve got! If you want a starting position, you’ll have to play like a Zamboni with a jet engine.”
Chuckles float around the room as several of the rookies exchange confused looks. They’ll eventually get used to Coach’s weird analogies.
“Blake! You’re starting in goal,” he adds as everyone piles out of the room.
Catching Joey in the tunnel on the way to the ice, I say, “Did you know Blake was starting?”
“Yep. Coach pulled me aside after practice and told me that he wants to see what the guy can do in a game situation.”
Personally, I think Blake’s goal tending is going to resemble Swiss cheese, but I guess we’ll find out.
~*~
The buzzer sounds signaling the end of the second period. We hang our heads and trudge back into the locker room a dejected bunch. The score is 5 – 1 and not in our favor. Usually, our Golden Stars fans are loyal no matter what the score is. But after we gave up goal number four, they started booing and continued booing for the rest of the period. I wonder whether Mia is still waving that foam finger?
Coach doesn’t say a word during the break. He allows us to stew about our play. Several players talk in hushed tones. Blake sits alone at the far end of a bench. Everyone is avoiding him like the plague. His shoulders slump and he looks like he doesn’t want to play another minute. I feel bad for the guy. This game has been a real baptism by fire for him. A few minutes later Joey sits down beside the rookie goalie, giving the guy some much needed encouragement. I watch Blake’s body language improve as Joey talks to him. I’m proud of my friend for this selfless act. Joey wasn’t happy about Blake being named starting goalie, so it shows a lot of character to help the guy in his time of need.
Only two minutes into the third period, I manage to steal the puck for a breakaway. I skate hard and fast, so that I don’t get caught from behind by an opposing defenseman. My rapid approach puts pressure on the goalie to quickly decide on a strategy to defend the goal. It’s vital that I read his position and movement, and I can’t do that if I’m looking at the puck. I keep my head up to see how the goalie reacts to my approach. The goalie slides to the side of the net as I get nearer. I see a corner of the goal exposed by his move and slap the puck into the net. The buzzer sounds and the red light flashes. I hold up my stick as the crowd jumps to their feet and roars in celebration.
The goal gives our entire team a lift. A few minutes later, one of our rookies intercepts a pass in the opponent’s zone and takes a quick shot on net and scores another goal. With the score now 5 – 3, there’s renewed hope that this game isn’t over just yet.
Of course, our rapid succession of goals makes the other team skate even harder, taking as many shots on goal as possible. I hold my breath, but Blake appears to be up for the challenge. He manages to block all their scoring attempts. Where was this excellent goal tending during the first two periods?
Excitement fills the arena. Everyone is on their feet, screaming as loud as they can. We’re in a dog fight now, with all the Stars players rising to the occasion. Controlled chaos ensues, as we battle with the opposing team, moving the puck back and forth to both ends of the rink. But neither side is able to get the little black disc in the net.
Hockey is known for being a fast, albeit tiring, game, and Coach calls line changes so we keep fresh players on the ice. I love this unique feature of the game—the ability to substitute players without a stoppage of play. Changing on the fly keeps the pace of the game at a high level. Each line skates hard for a one to two minute shift, then a new line takes the ice while the exiting line takes a breather.
I take a seat on the bench for a much needed rest as the next shift hits the ice. Sweat rolls down my face as I focus on the action, waiting for the next line change call so our line can go back in. Blake is doing his part to keep us in the game, but no Star seems to be able to score, as all our shots on goal are blocked. Coach bellows out our line change, I grab my stick and jump back on the ice.
With under three minutes left, our line gets called to take the ice. Seconds later, I find myself with the puck. Flying down the ice, I fake out a defenseman and head towards the net. The opposing goalie slides into position to defend my approach. Just then I pass the puck cross ice to a teammate screaming in on the other side. He takes the shot, and scores. Wow! The scoreboard reads 5 – 4 with only two minutes left in the game. It’s crunch time. With little time remaining, we skate and shoot like maniacs. With thirty seconds left, Coach pulls Blake, leaving our net open but giving us a man advantage. Despite all our efforts, we end up losing the game 5 – 4. Yet the moment feels like a victory in the way we clawed our way back into the game and Blake’s perfect play in the third period.
Players congratulate our rookie goalie back in the locker room. Coach even compliments the guy during his post-game speech.
“Alright, you scrappy bunch of hooligans, gather 'round! Even though we lost, it was a valiant effort and a perfect period in net by Blake!” Applause breaks out, but Coach holds up his hand. “Don’t get too cozy, I saw more mistakes out there than a blindfolded ref on roller skates. Practice tomorrow at 5 AM sharp. Bring your A-game and, for the love of Gretzky, someone bring donuts. Dismissed!"
After Coach reminds us of our poor play, the raucous jubilation tones down. Joey is still talking to Blake when I’m ready to leave, so I wave to him and dash off to the friend and family room to meet Mia. We’re going out with Nora and Madison, and Mia may have also invited Emma.
The room is packed, but I spot Mia, Nora, and Madison right away, so I stride over to join them. Madison has possession of the foam finger, and she waves it at me as I approach.
“Great effort! Two goals and an assist! I thought you were going to pull out a win!” Mia enthuses. I sweep her into my arms and plant a kiss on her lips. She seems a little surprised, but quickly recovers and kisses me back.
“Now you have to get married!” Madison declares.
Mia and I pull out of the kiss. “Shall we head out?” Mia says, changing the subject as a blush stains her cheeks.
“Where’s Emma?” I ask as we head for the exit.
“She’s got the early morning shift at the bakery, so she went home,” Mia replies.
I look over at Madison, still waving the foam finger. “What are you hungry for kiddo?”
“Sammy’s burgers!” she shouts.
“Sounds delicious!” As we walk to the exit, I realize how important these people have become to me. I feel like a rich man in the company of these three. Hopefully after the gala, we’ll remain friends and keep in touch with Nora and Madison. I’ve got my fingers crossed that Mia and I will take our relationship to the next level. Maybe that marriage comment by Madison isn’t off the mark.