Everything we’ve worked for this year has led to this moment. And by the end of it, we’ll either be champions or not.
“Alright.” Declan takes a deep breath as we gather around. “Tonight’s it, okay. It’s now or never. Everything we’ve worked for this season, hell, everything we’ve worked for since we started playing this game, regardless of if it was five years ago or ten.”
He runs a hand through his hair as a smile grows on his face.
“I wouldn’t want to go out on that ice with anyone else tonight. You've made this season the kind of season that will stick with usfor a lifetime. And for some of you,” Declan’s eyes meet those of the seniors on our team, “this is your last game. Whether that means with our team… or forever, tonight is it. So, we’re all going to go out there and leave everything we’ve got on that ice. Deal?”
Declan doesn’t need a verbal response. The energy building up in the locker room is all he needs to know that we’re all on the same page.
“Let’s get out there and have a hell of a game.”
The locker room erupts as our players slowly file out and toward the ice.
I’m one of the last people out, scanning the crowd for the one person who always knows how to calm my nerves, and even though the arena is jam-packed, I find her in seconds.
All the nerves disappear the second she smiles at me.
We’ve got this.
Tonight… we become champions.
My eyes haven’t left the ice since I got back to the bench.
It’s a tied game.
The Wisconsin Wildcats scored the first goal of the game during the first period. When we didn’t get on the board by the end of that period, there was definitely a shift in the locker room.
Sure, it was only one goal, and we didn’t let any more get past our net, but we were all feeling the nerves at that point.
We knew that if we didn’t get on the board, even if we prevented them from scoring again, it would be over. I think it also fueled ourfire, though, because our team was on the ice for twenty-three seconds during the second period when Jeremy absolutely annihilated the goalie with a wrist shot.
So, when we came out here to start the third period, we had a little more fire in us. We were ready to win this game.
And now we’re tied, two-two.
And there are three minutes left.
Three minutes could change our entire lives. Our future.
Jeremy tweaked his back near the end of the second period, but after a little heat and some rest in the locker room during the intermission, he was able to convince Coach to get back on the ice.
He’s moving a little slower this period than he was when he scored his goal, but he’s still doing a hell of a job protecting Cam from the other team.
This period has been intense from the very start.
We’re both craving this win, as if our life depends on it, but only one of us can win.
When the opportunity arises, Jere comes back to the bench, and I replace him on the ice.
The second my feet hit the ice, I’m skating full force, and once I have the puck in my possession, I glance around to figure out the best way to put our team in a goal advantage.
I don’t know if I’ve been breathing since my skates hit the ice, almost as if breathing is an afterthought, and ensuring we win this game is my main priority.
Sweat drips down my face, trailing all the way down to my neck as I skate to the opposing goal. I don’t need to see Declan; I feel him catching up to me.
Once he skates past me, putting him in a prime position near the goal to score, I whip the puck in his direction. The momentum from my pass, combined with the power behind his stick, hurls the puck toward the net—
Ting.
