Rhys
"It’s finally the ti for this season to co to an end!" I yelled as I stood at the center of the locker room to address everyone one last ti. "We have co this far for one reason, and that is to win the Stanley Cup!" I yelled, taking a deep breath as my heart started pounding hard in my chest.
The words hung in the air, and for a split second, the entire room seed to hold its breath with .
I was nervous as hell. It was not sothing new, especially since we were facing formidable opponents. It worried that anything could go wrong, and that would ruin Kayden’s dream.
This was his first real shot at the big stage, the kind of mont rookies dread about their whole lives.
I had been here before, had felt the weight of these gas press down on my shoulders like extra pads, but tonight felt heavier because he was out there with .
One bad shift, one unlucky missed goal, and everything we had built could slip away.
I pushed the thought down deep and kept my voice steady for the rest of the guys.
"I have to say this past few months have been incredibly exhausting, and I truly hope that whatever happens tonight, you all make sure you take that rest. Enjoy your breaks," I told them, and the room erupted in loud cheers.
So of the guys slapped their sticks against the benches, others let out whoops that echoed off the locker room.
The sll of sweat, tape, and so leaked pheromones filled up the space, but none of it bothered .
Everyone was excited for the ga, and that was all that mattered.
Tonight was the last ti we would gather here like this as this exact group, at least until the next season.
"Even if we don’t win, even if the Cup isn’t ours this season, coming this far says a lot about what this team is truly about. Through so many obstacles, we continued rising until we got here. As we play on the ice, we set our minds on winning. Rember every brutal morning skate, every hit we took when the caras were off, every sacrifice. We play for the people who believed in us, and that’s our fans," I said after a mont as my gaze found Kayden’s.
I let my eyes lock on his for just a second longer than the others. He sat there on the bench, his helt resting beside him, looking every bit the calm rookie who had sohow beco the heartbeat of our offense.
His expression was focused, but I could see the fire behind it.
The rest of the team nodded along, so leaning forward on their sticks, others with hands on their knees. We had fought through injuries, through slumps that made the dia question everything, through nights where our legs felt like lead after back-to-back gas.
But we kept showing up. That was what made this team different.
"Whatever happens out there, we leave it all on the ice. Do you all understand!" I shouted, and the response was crazier than the first one.
A roar rose from every throat in the room. Everyone started pounding their pads, banged their sticks on the floor in a chaotic rhythm that vibrated through the room.
That sound always got my blood pumping, reminded why I loved this ga even on the nights when my body scread for rcy.
I stepped over to Kayden and pulled him into a tight hug right there in front of everyone who already knew what we were. "No matter what happens out there," I whispered against his ear, low enough that only he could hear, "I’m proud of you. I love you, so please don’t get hurt."
Kayden’s arms ca around without hesitation. "I love you too. I won’t get hurt, and we are winning this," he told and pulled back just enough to kiss on the lips. It was a short kiss, but it got the attention of everyone, and they started clapping their hands. A few guys whistled, others laughed good-naturedly, and the tension earlier was gone.
"Alright, boys!" Coach Reddick’s voice sounded as he entered into the locker room again. "It’s ti to win this fucking cup."
"Yes!" I added, and then stretched my hands forward, and everyone, including the coach, joined in for the team’s chant. "Cold as ice!" I called.
"Hard as stone!" they all responded.
"Avalanches! Take the throne!" we all said in unison, clapped our hands, and started filing out in a roaring line towards the tunnel.
This was it. The last ga of the season, the one that decided everything about our future.
The ga arena was loud as hell as we grew closer to the ice. The fans were already screaming even before our team’s na was ntioned.
"Ladies and gentlen... your hotown warriors, the Northern Avalanche!"
The screams increased as we all skated towards the ice. Our fans started chanting the team’s na. "Northern Avalanche! Northern Avalanche!"
The chant rolled through the stands in waves, thousands of voices united in one purpose. It sent a jolt straight through , the kind that made every hair on my arms stand up. This was why we played through the pain, why we pushed when our bodies begged us to stop.
The Southbridge bears were already on the ice at their own side, skating lazy circles and stretching, trying to look unbothered.
I raised my head high as I skated past them, making sure I was not looking at any of them, especially Damian.
"Starting on defense... Northern Avalanche team’s captain, number four, Rhys Calder!"
At the ntion of my na, I raised my stick high, skating a controlled circle in our defensive zone, waving at the fans. Then I looked up, and my eyes scanned the VIP section high above the glass.
They were here. My entire family. Was this the surprise? I wondered.
User Comments
0 comments from readers