Feel the Breeze: Chapter Six!

[C-Breeze 182]

 

Chapter One  |  Chapter Two  |  Chapter Three  |  Chapter Four

 

Chapter Five

 

Chapter Six:

The dressing room was a beehive of activity as the boys and I frantically prepared for the first game of our first season. As a group we stood together on the precipice of uncharted territory, and the anticipation was off the charts. So much so, our collective space overflowed with nervous energy and you could almost cut the tension with a sharp blade. To make matters worse, there were rumours swirling around that VHL scouts were in the arena, and this only served to add fuel to an already hot fire.

As hard as it may be, I made sure to shut out the frenzy and devote my last minute or two to solitary mental preparation. It was time to focus on success and so I ran different plays and different situations through my head faster and faster. All the while picturing making the right split second decisions over and over again. It was all about getting in the zone and thinking the game in the best way possible.

With the last note of the anthem slowly fading from earshot, it was finally go time, and I don't think I could have been more amped. Then came the opening faceoff and my eyes bugged out like saucers as I saw our center draw the puck back to the left side D. Acting on sheer instinct, I quickly darted for the right boards in anticipation of a breakout pass. And there it was, right on the tape as I charged ahead to the offensive zone. This was the moment I'd waited for my whole life, to finally show what I could do and nothing was going to get in my way!

I gathered in the puck and surged ahead all in one motion while slightly angling toward the middle of the ice to pull in the opposing D. Once he took the bait, I burst for the corner in a bid to leave him grasping at fumes. The strategy was sound, but this was their top pair, and the bugger pivoted quicker than I expected cutting me off mid move. At this point I was already committed, so I tried to power my way through without realizing I was up against a guerrilla who ate weights for breakfast.

Next thing I knew I was tumbling to the ice in horror as my opening shift devolved into utter disaster. What was that coach always said? You can't guarantee results but you can guarantee effort. So I hopped right up, determined to get back into the play, until it was suddenly stopped by a zebra's whistle. It turned out the guerrilla had hooked me down, so instead of failing miserably I actually drew our first power play. What can you say about a crazy game that goes from depression to elation in the blink of an eye? 

On the ensuing power play, I was able to set up on the half wall near the top of the circle. The guys did a great job working it around and once I saw the defending box drift toward the far side, I lifted my stick to call my shot. D made no mistake, putting it right in the sweet spot where I one timed a bullet straight into the top of the cage. The feeling of joy was overwhelming as I celebrated with teammates before fishing the puck out as a souvenir. Later that night, with victory secured, I proudly took the puck from my first ever goal and gave it to Dad.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

593 Words

 

Chapter Seven!

Edited Monday at 08:16 PM by C-Breeze
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