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I want University of Worthington—our opponent today—to be worried every time I’m on the ice. The guys are expecting me to play well today, after my consistent contributions recently. But I want to exceed those expectations, not just meet them.
“You good?” Hunter asks in a low voice from his spot beside me.
I glance over, the grin coming automatically. “I’m great.”
His eyes widen slightly, like he was expecting a less enthusiastic answer. Then Hunter matches my grin with one of his own. Nods.
Conor clears his throat once he reaches the center of the locker room. “I wasn’t sure we’d get this far, to be honest,” he tells us. “We all know games can be unpredictable, and wanting a win is never enough. We’ve got a better record than Worthington. We’re focused, we’re ready, we’re prepared. I see a group of guys that I wouldn’t want to play against. We’ve been the underdogs for years, and now we’re the team everyone is worried about. I’ve never played with a more supportive team. The way you’ve all stepped up this season…” He shakes his head. “If we lose, I want you guys to know it’s been an honor being your captain. No matter what that scoreboard says at the end of the game, you’re all winners.”
I love Hart, but his motivational speeches need some work. Usually he just reminds us which players to worry about and then ends it with a “Hit the ice!”
So I stand. “Save theI love losersspeech, Hart. You’re never going to need it. Because we’re going to make Worthington wish Pendelton had beat them. Right, boys?”
There are rumbles of agreement through the locker room.
“They’re going to pray they lost in the quarterfinals, because that would have been better than having to face us. Right, boys?”
Louder agreement, this time.
“We’re going to embarrass them. Fuckinghumiliatethem. Make them look like a team Hart’s PeeWee kids could beat.Right, boys?”
The cheers bounce off the walls, mixed with some laughter. Robby bangs his stick against his metal locker. Jack Williams wolf whistles.
“You think you’re tired? Sore? I have a bruise the size of Washington on my ribs. I can’t remember the last time some part of my body didn’t hurt. Suck it the fuck up. You’re playing for a school that hasn’t won a hockey championship since before cell phones were invented. We don’t get to sit back. To wait until the last period to wake up or to think there’s another season if we lose. You think getting this far was hard? Getting this far again will beharder. You wanna skate around for another year looking at that old, sad banner hanging from the ceiling? I’ll be gone, off doing something amazing.” All the guys laugh. “Most of you won’t be. And all I’ve heard since November is what an amazing season we’re having. Bullshit. This is anaverageseason for us.”
I glance at Coach Keller. He’s leaning against the doorway, holding one of his binders. His expression is impassive, like usual, no indication of what he’s thinking. But he doesn’t look disapproving, so I keep going.
“We’re capable of more than they think. They’re worried about how many goals we’re going to score? Don’t even let them touch the puck. Let Willis enjoy a mini-vacation between the pipes. Whether we win tonight is up to all of you. Not Worthington. They think they’re here to play us. We’re here to playthem. One day, those guys will tell their grandkids about the semifinal game they lost to a Hall of Famer.” I glance at Hart. “That cover it, Captain?”
Conor is staring at me, shocked.
I’ve never interrupted one of his speeches before.
Partly because they were better than today’s. Mostly because I wasn’t paying close attention. I was texting or eating a snack.
“Guess so,” I say, when Hart says nothing. There are a few snickers. “Let’s fucking go, boys!”
The entire team clambers to their feet, the hum of energy in the air similar to a live wire exposed to water. Dangerous and electric.
“Where the fuck did that come from?” Hunter asks me as we walk down the hallway.
“What?”
“Your little speech.”
“What the fuck was little about it?”
Hunter rolls his eyes. “It was good.”
“What was good?”
“Yourbigspeech, Phillips. If we win this, it’ll be because of you.”
I glance at him, shocked.
Hunter looks serious.
“It’s the whole team. I’m not—”
