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I’m glad he didn’t turn around and catch me.
So I’m not tempted to try that dumb move again, I close my eyes.
And then I think about how this flight can’t end soon enough.
Hayden
Ah, Monday morning, and I’m here at my first practice with the Thunder.
It’s still training camp, though, as the regular season doesn’t start for one more week.
I missed the first few days, since the trade hadn’t officially gone through immediately, but it doesn’t seem to matter one little bit.
This practice couldn’t be going any better than if I had scripted it.
Coach Barnes, a middle-aged ex-defenseman who’s known for having great chemistry with his players, originally had me at center on the second line. Finn, no surprise, was up on the first.
But nothing was going right.
Now Coach hasmeon the top line at the center position, teamed up with Arden Troy at left wing and Nils Sten on my right.
We’re in the last few minutes of what’s been a lively scrimmage between Squad B, my “team,” and Squad A.
We’re currently up 3-2.
I haven’t scored a goal yet, but I assisted on two.
The first one, Arden picked up a pass from me before burying the puck deep in the net. Nils also got a goal in a neat tic-tac-toe play I quarterbacked a few minutes ago.
We’re on the bench at the moment, catching our breath, but not for long.
As soon as the second line comes off the ice, we jump on.
That’s when I notice a defenseman on Squad A is losing control of the puck right at center ice.
I pounce on it, and since no one else is around, I go on a breakaway.
Yes!
I skate up the ice as quickly as I can, which is faster than my pursuers.
And then it’s just me and the goalie.
I fake him out by pretending to shoot low in the corner.
When he goes down, I lift the puck up and over his shoulder.
Gotcha!
My fake-out is a success, and I score the goal unassisted.
Time runs out, and we win 4-2.
Afterward, in the locker room, the mood is amazing. Even my teammates who were on the opposing squad give me props.
Finn, the second-line center, taps me on the shoulder as he walks by. “Nice goal, Harrington,” he says. “Keep it up.”
I nod in humble acknowledgment. “Thanks, man.”
