I grabbed the marker and sketched fast. Simple. Clean.
“Start high. Pull them up. Don’t force it. When their winger bites, slip it low-to-high. Point shot, but not to score. You’re looking for the rebound off the pad. Their goalie kicks everything right.”
I looked at Mason. Then Grayson.
“Crash the weak side. Don’t hesitate.”
There was no doubt in their eyes. No skepticism. Just trust.
Coach slapped the boards. “You heard him. Go.”
They jumped over the boards and the noise somehow got louder.
I stood, hands clenched, every muscle screaming like I was about to take the shift myself. The puck dropped. Clean win back. Set up.
High cycle. Exactly like we’d drawn it.
The Oilers bit. Hard.
The lane opened.
Point shot. Low. Pad save.
Rebound.
Mason was there.
Goal.
I didn’t realize I was yelling until Coach grabbed my shoulder, laughing like a madman. The bench erupted. Helmets smacked glass. Sticks slammed the boards.
I looked up into the stands, chest heaving.
Nicole was crying now. Full-on, hands over her mouth, eyes shining. When she saw me looking, she mouthed,That was you.
I shook my head.
Because that wasus.
The final minutes were survival. Blocking shots. Clearing pucks off the glass. Winning ugly battles along the boards. When the final horn sounded, the sound that followed was primal.
Series over.
Round Two belonged to the Surge.
The guys poured onto the ice, gloves and sticks flying, bodies colliding in joy. I stayed where I was for a second, overwhelmed in a way I didn’t have language for. I hadn’t scored. I hadn’t played a second.
And I’d never felt more part of a win.
McAvoy came up beside me, clapped me on the back hard enough to rattle my teeth.
“You see?” he said, grinning. “This is what happens when you stop trying to be the main character.”
I laughed, breathless. “Guess I needed a different role.”
He shook his head. “You’re not missing your moment, kid. It’s just coming a season late.”
I watched the team celebrate on the ice. Watched Nicole lean over the glass, face glowing. Watched something inside me settle into place.
