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The thought of losing this had my gut twisting in a knot. Fuck, I wanted this win so damn bad.
Macy frowned as she caught my eye, twirling her red hair between her fingers nervously. With the harsh lighting overhead shining down on her, she looked like a goddess.
It wasn't because of a potential concussion, she was just beautiful. Seeing her worried smile had me pushing back against my opponent and getting my head back in the game. I knew Coach would be calling us back to the bench in a second but I wasn't about to go down like this.
We were starting to lose hope. The Pillagers had the lead and that wasn't going to work for me.
The moment I heard the whistle, we swapped out for the second line. I looked at Tate and Elias before turning to our defensemen. Adams and Gold had been playing just as hard, all of us treating it like this was the game of our lives.
Maybe we didn't have the pressure of the NHL or the college teams, hell... or the fan base, but it felt like everyone in Haven's Crossing had come out to watch us. We had filled the Pillagers’ arena so there were more Hawks’ colors than there were Pillagers’. And damn that felt good.
"We have to win this," I said emphatically. As far as pep talks go it wasn't the best I'd ever given, but the look of determination on my face and the low growl of my voice was enough to get them to nod their heads. We were all exhausted but yet riding high on stress and adrenaline. Even Coach was fairly quiet and that was unusual.
"We're going to get out there and win this," Coach said. It was almost a challenge, like he was daring us to disagree. He wouldn't hear any complaints from me, that was for fucking sure.
We all stood as a fight broke out, rushing over and leaning against the short wall that separated us from the ice to get a better view. It was impossible to see since nearly all the players were standing around whoever had fallen to the floor. The announcer's voice cut through the screams of the crowd.
"Two minute penalty for the Haven's Crossing Hawks."
"Shit," Coach bit out. "This isn't fucking good."
We'd effectively just given the Pillagers a one-player advantage over us and, of course, it was our center. I was a bit shocked that Pierce had been the one to hit the penalty box. I had a feeling whatever goaded him into the fight, it was brought on by the other team. He was as level-headed as they come.
Watching the rest of the penalty tick down was downright excruciating. When they landed the goal to let him back in the game, I was on the edge of my seat.
We might be fucked.
They’d have an even bigger advantage if we didn't do something soon. The crowd hushed, losing momentum as the loss seemed to close in on us. Though the Pillager supporters were still yelling loudly on the other side of the rink.
"Williams, Sanchez, Davis, you're up again," Slade called out.
The moment my skates hit the ice, I was back in. Everything else faded away. The crowd dulled until all I could focus on was the game and the team we were facing off against.
"Hey, Davis, I hear we scared your girl with our little prank."
I recognized the asshole. Phillips was possibly the worst hockey player I'd ever encountered. He took rivalry to a new level and it wasn't just because of his love of the game. He was just a dick. He'd never left his college days behind and never apparently, came to terms with the fact that he didn't make League.
“Taking credit for the Vikings’ work?” I shot back. He snorted at my reaction but I shook it off. Coach was handling the investigation with the cops. Smack talk on the ice wasn’t going to matter and I didn’t have time for it. They knew it was a sore spot and wanted to use it. I couldn’t let it shake me.
Even if it pissed me off.
Not willing to show him he got to me, I just gave him a pleasant smile, refusing to rise to the bait. I didn't have to look at Tate and Elias to know they were just as angry as I was right now. In any other situation, we would have painted the ice with his blood.
"Use it," I said to the guys. It was something we reminded each other when we were out here. Focus that anger on the game. The last thing our team needed right now was another damn penalty.
We were in the final period. This was it. Everything was down to the next few minutes.
For me, games always flew by. It was a constant high of energy, moving in and out of play as we swapped lines, and fighting for a win. Tonight it seemed to fly by even faster. By the time we swapped out for what I hoped was the final time, the score was tied. We couldn't let it get to overtime.
"Let's wipe the floor with these fuckers," Tate growled as we tore down the ice.
"With pleasure," I promised.
I was playing my heart and soul out on this ice. The Pillagers had the puck but Elias managed to slide in and steal it back. He was the fastest skater of us all and had the puck back before they even knew it was happening. I didn't even have to question, I knew the puck was coming my way. Elias slapped it my way and I caught it with my stick, skating down the ice to their fairly unguarded goalie. They were playing like amateurs, sloppy and leaving themselves open. I was going to use it to my advantage.
The crowd chanting finally caught my attention, and a laugh bubbled out around my mouth guard.
Hat trick, hat trick, hat trick.
