Gregger McKeggegger, Founder's Cup Champion

[TheNeonShaman 214]

               Gregger McKeggegger had a good pregame meal. It was strange, fried mac and cheese balls with orange juice. He knew he had to take a risk that night though. In just a few hours, the Ottawa Lynx would get an opportunity to win the Founders Cup. For those who know, Kegger has never been able to be consistently good under one pregame meal. Instead of going back to one that has proven successful in the past however, he decided to try something completely new. Why? Because he wanted to do everything he could to play his best and win the game. If the Lynx lost game 5, then they still would have two more chances to close out the series, however Mexico City would have the momentum. Giving an extremely good team like the Kings momentum could spell disaster. McKeggegger pretty much took it upon his own shoulders to be the difference maker. If only he knew how right he would be.

 

               Game time. The fans are crazy, it’s in Mexico City, and you know they won’t go down without a fight. A battle between the top two teams in the league, the top scorers, top goalie, everything about these two teams screams elite. They were about to go head to head in a game that felt like a game 7. And Ottawa wanted to send a message. 26 seconds into the game, McKeggegger leads a 3 on 2 into the Mexico zone, he is pressured by a defender and flips the puck ahead to Winston Dixon Jr. Now it’s a 2 on 1, and Dixon Jr uses a textbook saucer pass right to Jagger Bomb for a tap in. 1-0 Ottawa. A huge goal, and instantly an air of concern came upon the hometown fans. The building’s energy had been seemingly stolen. 10 minutes later, McKeggegger rings a snapshot off the far post to double the Ottawa lead. However from then on, Mexico turned up the heat. After the first period, they had nearly twice the amount of shots that Ottawa did. It was devastating pressure that the Kings poured on, and finally it paid off with a powerplay goal midway through the second. They were still down a goal with only 20 minutes to play. Then, 35 seconds into the 3rd period, Grizz Tazzo levels the playing field. Mexico City turned the pressure up even higher, and just over two minutes later, the game was 3-2 Kings. What seemed like a night for the Lynx had been flipped on its head. After a timeout and a pep talk, the wakeup call was there. Finish the job tonight. Ottawa started to fight back. Then the power play finally came through on the third chance of the period. A massive goal. 3-3, and the score would not change in regulation.

 

               At the start of overtime, McKeggegger was exhausted. He had already played nearly half of the game. He had a calf cramp midway through the third. A hard hit had almost dislocated his left shoulder. It was a very tough game to play in. Both teams were playing their hearts out. After the first overtime period everyone in the building could tell the teams were exhausted. McKeggegger went back to the locker room and instead of sitting down, he immediately ran over to a cabinet in a side room and pulled out a Snack Pack pudding (chocolate). He went back to the locker room and started to devour it. The coach gave him a weird look but decided not to question it. After a rousing speech by the coach, the Lynx went back onto the bench. The puck dropped, and while the effort was still there, every player definitely looked sluggish. The Ottawa first line got back to the bench and sat down, already exhausted. McKeggegger leaned over to his linemates and said, “We’re done if the game goes on for much longer. We gotta end it next shift.” That next shift came quickly. Mexico City carried the puck through the neutral zone but before they could make progress, Jagger Bomb broke the play up and the puck squirted into the middle of the ice. He gets to it and then drops it back to Winston Dixon Jr, who collects and skates quickly through the neutral zone to get a clean entry. The Kings are on their heels and it’s a 2 on 2, McKeggegger and Dixon Jr moving quickly. Dixon Jr toe drags past his man, then flips a saucer pass to McKeggegger. Time slows down. The player guarding McKeggegger reaches to poke check, and Kegger just barely maneuvers it past him, bringing it to his backhand. The goalie starts to move to prepare for a high backhand shot, and for a split second the five hole opens up. McKeggegger takes his opportunity and slides the puck cleanly between the goalie’s legs. Ottawa had won the Founder’s Cup.
 

Word Count: 819

For Week of: 3/26