Game 7. Again.

[omgitshim 901]

Music blasts throughout the arena. The sold-out crowd is filing in towards their seats, hands full of beer and nachos. The noise level is high, though nothing like what will be heard when the teams hit the ice. Even in the locker room, the ruckus outside can be heard muffled throughout. The tension is high, and while everyone is trying to act calm and cool, the nerves are being felt. After an intense back and forth game 6, both teams are ready to do whatever it takes to get that last victory. For Toronto, a win would give them their 2nd straight Continental Cup. For Helsinki, they would finally get revenge after being swept last season.

 

And then there's Arroyo, this season's goals and points leader, sitting in the corner in a trance. Playing in his 5th consecutive finals, he has felt these nerves all too often. He has won 2 cups, and he has lost 2 cups. He has felt the pain of losing it all in game 7, and he has felt the joy of scoring the clutch game winner in game 7 as well. No matter how many times you've been here, it doesn't get any easier. He knows that he must leave everything out on the ice tonight because no matter what happens, there will be no tomorrow.