I feel like if we get just one past him, it’ll open up the game,I say to Mats and Murph on the bench.
Yeah, they’re trapping right now,Mats agrees.St.Clare is keeping four guys back, content to sit on that lead for the rest of game.
Murph grunts agreement.We gotta get into that goalie’s head.
Coach Norman bends down and puts his hands on my shoulder and Mats.Next offensive draw, I want to run our backhand-forehand set play.You two, Murph, Coty, and Sinc.
I nod.There are a few set plays we’ve been running this season, but not during the playoffs.So maybe the element of surprise will work now.
Mats and I don’t usually play together since we’re both centres.But the five of us are the first power play unit.Unfortunately, St.Clare hasn’t taken a penalty yet.Well, they have, but the refs are sitting on their whistles.
When our chance comes, we skate out there.The draw is on Mats’s strong side, so he’ll take it and I’ll play wing.
I know exactly what I’m supposed to do in the set play: grab the puck that Mats backhands to me and shoot right away.But in the split second that Mats wins the puck and players begin to move, I can see a number of things happening.Two of the Saints players are moving towards me.They’re going to double-team me either because they pre-scouted our set plays or because I’m the team’s high scorer.The goalie is getting into position for my shot, and there’s very little net to aim for.And Coty is sneaking into the empty ice on the opposite side.
So I fake the shot I’m supposed to take and instead slide the puck onto Coty’s stick.He one-times it.The goalie tries to get over, but he’s too late.
Goal!We’ve finally solved this guy!
I rush over to hug Coty, who is gliding on one skate around the boards and giving it to the Saints fans.What a beauty.I tackle him first.
Sweet fuckin’ pass,Coty tells me.
Sweeter fucking goal,I reply before the rest of the guys jump on us.
Now that we’ve gotten a goal past Dufresne, he’s reduced from hockey god to mortal status.
And just as I predicted, we start scoring.First, a slapshot by Sinc that’s going way off the target until the Saints defenceman accidentally tips it into his own net.I almost feel sorry for the poor bastard, but that doesn’t stop me from celebrating loudly.
The tying goal happens when Grecs makes a huge hit in the O-zone, causing a turnover that Swanny pounces on.He drives to the net and shoots hard—right into the chest of Dufresne.But there’s a big rebound, which Bergy whacks into the net.
Our entire bench jumps up and cheers, even the coaches.As the boys skate by to slap hands, I’ve never seen a bigger grin on Bergy’s face.On the bench, Grecs tells Bergy thatpussy is guaranteed after a big goal like that.Fuck, if that’s what it takes to motivate Bergy, fine.
With two minutes left in regulation time, the Saints are feeling the pressure.They’ve squandered a three-goal lead, and we keep coming in waves.They start to make little mistakes that come from holding their sticks too tight.
So, when I see a Saints defenseman attempt a soft cross-ice pass, I go full speed to intercept that puck.Then I’m in on a breakaway.Like a fucking cyborg, I recall everything Coach told us about Dufresne’s weaknesses in goal.I look five-hole all the way, like I’m planning to slide one between his pads, one of his weak spots.And when he goes down a fraction of a second too early, I roof the fucking puck over his shoulder.
That red light is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
We hold them off for the remaining ninety seconds and get the win.There are speeches, handshakes, and congratulations.And then the championship trophy is handed to me.I raise it above my head and we all cheer.This fucking team.We’re champions and we’ll remember this game our entire lives.
EVIE
WE WATCH THE TEAM SKATING AROUND WITH THE TROPHY, BUBBLING WITH JOY AND CAMARADERIE.They’re hugging each other and grinning.We can hear cheering, laughter and even tuneless singing.
Fuck, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mats so happy,declares Cleo.Not even after a really good blow job.
Andy snort-laughs so hard that she starts coughing.I’m sitting with some of the hockey girlfriends: Cleo, Andy, Rosie, and Caroline Kelly, Ross Murphy’s girlfriend who plays hockey with Cleo.The St.Clare fans have already left the arena in disappointment, so only Mustangs supporters remain to witness the joy.
I’m pretty sure that last year you said that winning our championship was better than sex,Caroline quips.
Did I?Well, I meant regular sex, not sex with Mats.Then Cleo frowns at Caroline.And don’t remind me of all the jerks I dated before him.
I’m grateful that I didn’t have to date a bunch of jerks first or suffer through sub-optimal sex.
I guess there’s no point in going to the post-game party yet since none of the team will be there,says Rosie.We already planned a celebration back at Monarch.The more superstitious members of the team thought this was a bad idea, but the playoffs were tough and we wanted to do something afterwards.Obviously, it will be a much better party now.
Now everyone is talking about what they’re doing next year, the favourite subject of seniors.Caroline complains that she has no plans and no job prospects.
