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SEVEN
OAKLEY
The locker room is buzzing.
It's our first game of the season against the Kelowna Wolves. And although I've never played against them, it's common knowledge that they are our biggest rival—making this game one of the most important this season.
I need to show our team and the opposing team that I'm a better hockey player than they think I am. Just because I'm not Captain of this team—yet—doesn't mean I don't have to play my best.
As I finish putting on all my gear and tie the last knot in my skates, Coach walks in and yells for everyone's attention.
"Tonight is big, you all know that. We need to show those guys that we're coming out hot this season. Got it? We might have lost our Captain, but that doesn’t mean that we’re at a disadvantage. We have the number one goal scorer in the league."
I stare down at my skates as Coach turns his attention to me.
"Lowry and Brown keep Oakley clear. They're going to be on him all night. Stay focused and keep it clean. Don't fall for their bait. Beat them on the scoreboard, not in the penalty box. Now go kick some Wolf ass."
The team erupts into cheers and howls of excitement. Matt shoots a smug grin at me through the crowd as we head out of the dressing room.
"You good, buddy?" he asks, bumping my shoulder with his glove.
"Good as ever. You? We need you on your A-game tonight."
"Don't worry about me," he replies confidently and falls in line behind me.
There is nothing that can hype you up more than skating out onto the ice and hearing your name and number being called into a full arena. It's one of those surreal moments where you want to take a minute just to stand and soak it all in. But you never can. There’s never the time to.
As I finish my final warm-up lap, I see Ava sitting in the front row, her lips spread into a wide grin as her eyes closely follow my movements.
Having a beautiful girl smiling at me in the stands while sporting my team's jersey is the shit that I live for. I send her a flashy wink and bump my shoulder against the glass as I skate by. That damn smile is branded in my mind as I head for the centerline.
Getting in position to take the first faceoff of the game, I look over at the two wingers beside me, Tyler and Adam, and give them both a head nod. My heart pounds as the ref drops the puck on the ice.
???
With thirteen minutes left to go in the game, we're tied with three points each. Our team is exhausted from playing defence most of the game—thanks to our hot-headed defensemen not taking an ounce of smack talk from the opposing team.
It also doesn't help that I've spent most of my remaining energy manoeuvring around their killer blueliners while slapping pucks at their goalie whenever I have a chance.
My helmet knocks against the boards when a defenseman hits my shoulder. A hiss of pain escapes my lips, and I regain my balance, shaking off the ache in my shoulder. I turn and give my missing cover man a death glare.
"Fuck sake, Braden," I growl under my breath.
I see Matt in front of me as he stops the puck behind his net and gets ready to pass it off. I slap my stick against the ice to let him know that I'm open. Doing a lap around him, I start skating back towards our zone.
He passes it off to me swiftly before the other center reaches him. As soon as I hear it clap against my stick's blade, I push off my feet. I only make it a few feet ahead before another Wolves defenseman heads straight in my direction.
Fortunately, this time Braden does his job and watches my back. He throws his body against the player—hard.
I skate past the pair and run straight into the second defenseman. Spinning around, I move around them and sneak a quick look behind me to see Braden lose his edge on his player.
It's now or never. I wind up and slap the puck hard, successfully sending it five-hole. The red lamp goes off and my teammates immediately tackle me in a fit of hugs and punches.
After a few pats on the back, I head back to the bench and sit down beside Adam. I spot Ava and Morgan standing in their seats, cheering loudly. Both of them have a big white sign in hand. I read Ava's sign and grin.
"GET THAT TOUCHDOWN JEFF"
???
