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The third period starts the same way the first two ended.

Hit. Recover. Hit again.

But something’s different now.

I’m watching them differently. Chen’s voice echoes in my head -you don’t fight strength with strength. You use timing.

The next time their defenceman winds up to hit me along the boards, I see it coming a split second before he moves. His eyes lock onto me instead of the puck.

I pivot.

He hits nothing but glass.

The puck stays on my stick.

I slide it to Zane.

He scores.

The bench erupts.

Something shifts after that.

Not the physicality - the Wolves keep hitting, keep trying to intimidate - butme. I’m not where they expect me to be anymore. I’m half a step faster, half a step smarter.

They’re getting frustrated.

I can see it in the way their defenceman slams his stick against the boards after missing me.

Then we get a power play.

Everything is going our way.

But just when I think we can win - that’s when it happens.

ZANE

The power play is beautiful.

Russo runs it from the half-wall, drawing defenders before sliding it to me at the point. I one-time it toward the net -screened perfectly by Shaw, who’s parked in front of their goalie like he weighs fifty pounds more than he really does.

The puck deflects in.

2-0.

The bench loses its mind. Even Chen pumps his fist from the crease.

I find Shaw near the boards as we change lines.

“That screen was disgusting.”

I can see his smile behind the helmet cage.

We’re winning.

We’re actually winning.

The Wolves are desperate now.