PROLOGUE
Transcript of live radio broadcast
Woodpeckers vs. Beavers
Empire Ice Center, Manhattan, New York
December 2, 2025
Pat (excited): “We’re back for the third period, folks. It’s shaping up to be a nail-biter. The Woodpeckers are down by one on home ice, but the game isn’t lost yet. I’m Pat Delaney, joined in the booth by former Woodpeckers defenseman Vaughn Ritchie. Vaughn, this game has had a little bit of everything so far.”
Vaughn (analytical): “Sure has, Pat. Momentum has swung back and forth like a pendulum all evening. Now we have Connor Jensen of the Woodpeckers stepping in for the face-off against the Beavers’ center, Tyler Kroft. Both teams are playing with grit, though Lewis Farrington on Toronto’s wing has racked up three penalties. He’s been a wrecking ball on skates, but that’s nothing new.”
Pat (wry): “If he spends any more time in the box tonight, they might start charging him rent.”
Vaugh (laughing): “That’s for sure.”
Pat (amped): “Puck drops and Jensen wins it clean. He flicks it to Seaborn, who skates toward the Beavers’ goal before sliding it across to Zimmerman.”
Vaughn (building tension): “Farrington is closing in fast?—”
[Loud, sickening thud into the boards. The crowd gasps in unison.]
Pat (shouting): “Oh! Farrington drove Seaborn headfirst into the glass. He didn’t even have the puck anymore.”
Vaughn (low): “Teddy’s helmet just came off before he hit the ice—damn, that looked brutal.”
Pat (tense): “He’s not getting up.”
[The commentators fall silent with the rest of the arena.]
Pat (quietly): “He’s still not getting up. Why isn’t he getting up?”
[A long pause broken up by muffled sounds in the background.]
Vaughn (grim): “The way he hit the boards…you could hear it from up here. Farrington completely blindsided him. He had no chance to brace for impact. Then he hit the ice without a helmet…”
Pat (almost whispering): “This is not good—no movement from Seaborn. They’re calling for the medical team as we speak.”
Vaughn (somber): “Anyone who can help is rushing on the ice. The rest of the Woodpeckers are coming off the bench,forming a circle around their teammate, blocking the view from the crowd and the cameras. This is serious.”
Pat (furious): “Farrington has been sent to the box. C’mon, it should be more than five minutes! You can’t stab someone in the back like that. Seaborn never saw it coming.”
Vaughn (joining in, emotional): “Medical staff are on the ice. Seaborn is motionless.”
Pat (reflective): “Teddy’s never let an injury get in the way before, he even stayed on the ice with a dislocated shoulder once.”
[A voice from the crowd breaks the silence: “We love you, Teddy!” Others start clapping, scattered at first, then louder.]
Pat (emotional): “Listen. Almost everyone in the arena is clapping.”
Vaughn (hushed): “They’re lifting Seaborn on a stretcher. There’s blood staining the ice. That’s not a pretty sight.”
Pat (voice breaking): “His teammates are guiding the medical team, skating alongside them to the tunnel.”
Vaughn (quiet): “Whatever happens to Teddy, tonight changes things.”
Pat (sincere): “All we can do right now is hope Teddy is okay. All of Manhattan and the rest of the hockey world are praying for his speedy recovery. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more”
