Page 105 of The Call-Up
Ryan
Maybe what we needed was for Connor to score that goal. Because now, as we skate into the third period, the score remains one to zero. Sure, we haven’t scored, but more importantly, they haven’t either since we finally locked into a more defensive style during the second period like Coach Chris wanted us to.
Now, when the Blizzards are attacking our net, we’re all right there skating in their way. Using our bodies to block shots before Ivanov has to. All he needs to do is stay sharp for the ones that we can’t get to.
Like right now. Tavish has just passed the puck to Connor,who is winding up at the circle. His stick is back, ready to collide with the puck once it reaches him.
I dive. And before my body hits the ice, I feel that puck hit my hip with a thud.
As it bounces off of me, Brandon tracks it and gets his stick on it. He takes off, crossing into the neutral zone and then all the way to the Blizzards’ net.
Ander crouches. Ready to stop whatever Brandon shoots at him.
Everyone on our bench is on their feet, leaning over the boards.
I hold my breath.Please, let him score. Let him tie this up.
He fakes right, spins left, then without any windup, flicks the puck. It pings off the side of the crossbar, then slips in behind Ander’s back.
Brandon skates around the back of the net with his stick raised above his head.
I skate to him as fast as I can, then slam him into the boards as we hug. O’Shea is right behind me, followed by Danton, then Clemmers.
When Danton gets to him, he grabs onto his shoulders and stares right at him. “Sorry, Ryan,” he says. “But now I understand why Connor kissed Gavin at center ice.” He pulls Brandon to him and kisses the top of his helmet in the most dramatic fashion.
“Settle down, Cap,” I say, laughing. “Save your kisses for when we win this thing.”
“Or,” Brandon says, looking completely flustered. His cheeks are bright pink, and I highly doubt it’s from exertion. “Nobody kisses anybody at center ice.” He shakes his head, smiles, and begins to skate away to go get his fist bumps from the rest of the team on the bench. Over his shoulder, he shouts at us, “You’re all terrible.”
“He does have a point, though,” I say. “We should keep our kisses reserved for after we’ve won the game.”
Danton looks at me with wide eyes. “Are you saying you’d share?”
“Fuck, no,” I laugh then push him.
“Good,” he says, and pushes me back. “Because as much as I like the both of you, neither of you are my wife. And I can’t wait to kiss her over the Stanley Cup.”
Brandon
The clock seems to be moving backwards the closer we get to the end of the third period. I would give anything for us to score a goal right now. The last thing I want is for this game to go into overtime.
Wait. Scratch that. The last thing I want is for the Blizzards to score right now. Which is what sends me into the boards to hit Tavish right as Kennedy passes him the puck.
With the puck loose, I chase after it. Ryan gets a hold of it before I do and goes skating towards the net. I look up at the clock. Eight seconds. Just enough time for him to make a play.
I skate to catch up with him. O’Shea is right behind me.
Ryan passes me the puck as the Blizzards defense closes in on him. I wind up, ready to hit the puck as soon as it gets close.
Thwack!I hit it with all my might. It goes flying towards the net. I stand in disbelief as I watch it soar, then drop my head as I watch my brother’s gloved hand pluck it out of thin air before it crosses over the goal line, into the back of the net.
The sound of the period ending rings through the stadium.
Fuck. We’re going to overtime.
Sudden death. Whoever scores the next goal stops the clock, and wins this wholesale without the opposing team even getting a chance to come back. This battle has now become a full-on war. Who can withstand the extra time? Who still has the legs? Who still has the will to carry their team to victory?
Ryan
