If I wasn’t spread out on the bed snuggling with Bacon, the snoring pig, next to me, I’d break out the battery operated boyfriend to take the edge off during warmups. Who knew hockey was so fucking erotic?
The first period passes by in a blur of pain meds and penalties. It’s hard to keep up. After a trip to the bathroom, a Milky Way candy bar that Apollo left next to my bed before he left helps me perk up a bit for the second.
When I turn the volume up to pay closer attention to the commentary, Bacon grunts in his sleep. Scratching behind his ear, I shush him. He’s like a giant toddler.
Out of nowhere, Gilbert shoots and scores. Jackson Gilbert is taking a lot of flak this season about not finding the back of the net, but what a beautiful finish that was. His thirteenth of the season.
Gillyhasbeen on the receiving end of a lot of shit. It’s largely a mental block more than a physical one, and the fact he was dropped back to the third line can’t be helping his confidence either. Maybe I should talk to Apollo about helping him get out of his own way for next season. If anyone’s in a good place to help someone with performance anxiety, it’s the man who is helping nurse me back to health.
The line changes, and from the second Apollo’s skates hit the ice, he commands every inch of the space.
De la Peña passes back to Raine who tries to feed it back to Apollo de la Peña but Penn State’s defensemen intercepts. We all know what Apollo can do. De la Peña helps it off the pads and into the corner. Despite personal circumstances, he’s been brilliant all season. He barely missed a beat after the car crash that could easily have ended not only his season, but his career.
Bitterness surges through me. Trying to swallow it down doesn’t help. Yes, Apollo was lucky, but he almost threw the friggin’ season away just because he didn’t want to keep going. Idiot.
The flames of hope that had been fierce in my chest since the accident have started to wane. I’ve left the group chat for my dance class—it was too hard reading about people who were achieving every single thing I can’t. Acknowledging that I might never be able to reach my dreams has been the most soul-crushing, painful realization of my life so far. Not knowing what’s next is terrifying, and the welling panic gripping at my throat tightens.
Fuck.
With a shaky hand, I manage to sip some water. Eyes closed, I take a steadying breath, focusing on the analyst’s excitable tone and rhythmic commentary.
There’s a two on one developing on the left side. The Raccoons are looking to feed it through. Great pass from Captain Justin Ashe, into the circle, de la Peña with the shot, he scores, and finishes that off for his fortieth goal of the season. If you’re looking for an early goal from the University of Cedar Rapids, it all comes from moving Ashe to get a lovely pass forward to de la Peña.
With Apollo de la Peña aside the goal like that it’s almost always going to hit the back of the net. That’s his... eighty-seventh point of the season.
I’d bet that my guy is going to go for ninety, overachiever that he is.
Shot from distance there by Penn State, saved by de la Peña halfway through a UCR penalty. The young rookie goalie is pulling out all the stops tonight. He’s had a spectacular first season with the Raccoons. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how he’d blend with the team. Having seen him play in high school and knowing his reputation for ego... well, let’s just say I’m glad he’s managed to shelve it in the name of teamwork.
Penn State still looking for a chance here. Savage lines up, and, gah, he gets it in the back of the net on the power play. That was such a drive into the net on the left hand side. Making it 2-1 with 13.26 left in the second.
Penelope bursts into the room with a bag from Taco Bell in one hand, and a gallon of ice cream in the other.
“What? You think I’d let you freak out through the whole game all by yourself?” She climbs onto the bed, passing me the bag of burritos and quesadillas, before ripping off the lid of the ice cream and wasting no time stabbing at it with a spoon.
“Sorry I’m late.” She hasn’t even swallowed, so the words are mumbled around a huge mouthful of rocky road.
She scoots closer on the bed, and I appreciate her presence more than I’m willing to admit. My thoughts were starting to take me onto a destructive path. The Raccoons are charging down the ice toward Penn State’s net. My stomach clenches, burrito paused halfway to my mouth. Pen grabs my arm as she shovels another heaped spoon of ice cream into her wide-open mouth.
Back to the point again, Slater Goodwin wrists one, just wide of the post. Lawson picks the rebound up, a little wide, Goodwin picks up the second rebound and it’s in! Thirty two seconds into the period and the raccoons have extended their lead, restoring the two goal lead again. We’re up to 3-1 for the Raccoons.
“Yesssssssssssssss!” We high-five, fist pump, and tears spring into my eyes.
The Raccoons win the face off and suddenly eating Taco Bell feels like it was a bad idea. A really bad idea. I’m starving, but the anxiety and anticipation brewing in my veins have left my stomach sloshing.
The puck bounces off the top of his stick, good speed, sends it through, there’s a chance here for Penn State to break the numbers. Down the right side, plenty of space, what a save from de la Peña, back to the Penn State rookie, backdoor shot with a deflection out front. Another shot, a lot of traffic in front of de la Peña’s crease, he’s definitely getting chippy with his stick. And Penn State makes it 3-2.
Shit. Shit. Fuck. Mother fucking crap.
The next few minutes pass with hard hits and choppy fights for possession in the corners. Both teams are digging deep, and with how fast the puck is being turned over, it truly could be anyone’s game.
But it needs to be ours. The Raccoons have fought so damn hard this season. If there are scouts in the crowd, any number of the twenty-two man team could be picked up based on this Frozen Four run alone. They’ve all upped their game inordinately. I’m so fucking proud of them.
De la Peña back on the forecheck. Passes the puck back to his brother on the blue line who gives it to Ashe, Ashe gives it to Shaw.
If I was sitting on a seat, I’d be clinging to the edge of it. This game is shredding the fuck out of my nerves.
Great play behind the net from Ashe and Shaw, he puts it onto a plate for Apollo de la Peña who taps it into the back of the net.
