Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
DELANEY
“We still have another period of hockey to play, ladies. We’re only down by two goals. Plenty of time to clean things up and put another couple of goals on the board.”
I look around at the team. Heads are hanging and we look beaten. Ottawa brought their A game tonight.
Clean stickhandling. Passes. Shots on goal. Everything has been on point.
While we’ve been chasing them all night. No matter what we seem to be doing, we can’t catch up. Both Lydia and Skylar have had some incredible shots on goal, but to no avail. It’s like their goalie’s glove is a magnet to the puck.
“We’ve got this,” Lydia chimes in from her spot on the bench. “Work together as a team and the game is in the bag.”
It helps to pump up the team, but by the time we’re back out on the ice, our energy is flagging. We’ve played from behind, but it hasn’t felt like this. Like we can’t come back.
When Ottawa gets an early goal in the third period, and we’re down by three, the mood shifts to hopeless. A collective moan issues from the home crowd, as people start to leave.
“I think we should switch up the lines. See if mixing it up might help,” I tell Bailey.
She nods at my command and marches down the bench to start letting the women know when they’ll be hitting the ice. But before we can do much of anything, Ottawa gets another goal.
“Damn it,” I swear under my breath. “Bailey, go ahead and change it up now.”
“Got it, Coach.”
She nods, calling those on the ice back to the bench and sending others out. Lydia and Skylar take their seats and are discussing the game as play resumes.
5-1.
While not impossible to come back from, it’s not feeling like it’s going to happen.
“Okay, tighten up, ladies. Let’s get some of these goals back.” I walk up and down the bench, hyping the girls up. “Play your game. Rely on your training. No mistakes.”
Lydia flies off the bench and I watch her go.
“C’mon. C’mon.”
She’s flying down the ice with only one defender in front of her.
“Let’s go, Bishop!” someone shouts from the bench.
The crowd is urging her on as she crosses into our attacking zone. With quick stick work, she dekes out the goalie and gets it into the back of the net.
“Yes!”
Enthusiastic cheers ring out through the arena. Not the most excited our crowd has ever been, but it’s hard when we’re still down by three.
With only five minutes left, it’s going to be hard to tie it up. Especially with the way Ottawa has been playing tonight.
Parker is able to hold off Ottawa’s advances, and with two minutes left, I pull her from the game in favor of another winger on the ice.
We’re surging, but every shot on goal is blocked.
By the time the final horn sounds, the score is 5-2.
I shove an angry hand through my hair. It was not our night. We didn’t play our best and Ottawa outshone us on every level.
It’s the answers I give the awaiting press as I head back down the tunnel after congratulating our opponent on their win.
The sight that greets me in the locker room is hanging heads and dejection. I hate it. There is nothing worse than losing. We’ve been on a hot streak, so it makes it sting even more.
“Listen up,” I call out, but it’s not needed since no one is talking. “Losing isn’t fun. It never is. But we’re going to learn from this. Study what didn’t go right, and put it into action so we can improve upon it for our next game.”
“Yes, Coach,” a few voices ring out.
“Get cleaned up and get a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you all here bright and early tomorrow for practice.”
A few of the women smile back at me, but there’s not much behind it.
Heading to my office, I sink down into my chair and let out a heavy sigh.
Fuck. I hate losing. I really do. I don’t know any person that likes to lose.
I’m tempted to pick up my tablet to watch highlights of the game. But I don’t need to do that. I need to separate myself from the game for at least a few hours.
“You need anything before we head out?” Nadia peeks her head into my office.
“No, I’m good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bailey told me to tell you not to worry too much. It’s one game and she says not to spend all night studying film.”
I smile at her. “Should I be concerned with how well she knows me?”
“No, because we know you and know exactly what you’re going to go home and do.”
“Hey.” I point a finger at her. “I was debating if I wanted to start now.”
“Of course.” Nadia waves goodbye and shuts the door behind her.
I rest my head against the back of the chair and close my eyes. Even though I’m not watching film, I’m already thinking of everything that we need to clean up.
Passes weren’t great tonight. We’ll need to work on that. Our defenders weren’t where they needed to be, leaving Parker open. Nadia will need to help them tomorrow.
I can’t help thinking about all of this. My brain never wants to shut off.
A soft knock comes from the door.
“I promise, Nadia, I’m not watching film.”
“You’re not?”
“Lydia?” Opening my eyes, there she is, looking more tired than I’ve ever seen her. “What are you still doing here?”
She walks into my office, leaving the door open behind her. At least if we’re not the only ones still here, no one can accuse us of fraternizing. “You’re the last one here so I just wanted to make sure you’re okay before I left.”
That answers that question.
I peer behind her, dropping my voice. “Aren’t you coming over tonight?”
She smiles, nodding at me. “Yeah. But just wanted to check on you.”
“Are you okay? It was a tough game tonight.”
“Sore, but I’ll live. Nothing a little time in the ice bath won’t cure.”
“Good.” I stand, locking my tablet in the drawer. Film really can wait until tomorrow. “Want to head out?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Lydia steps back as I lock my office. “I just need to grab Biscuit.”
“I can’t wait to see him.”
“And me?” she whispers, grinning at me.
“I’m seeing you now.”
“Not how you’d really like.” Lydia winks.
“Then hurry your ass up.”
Because I can’t wait to be with Lydia again.