One of the Boys

Chapter 19

Delaney

The next day after arriving in Grand Rapids Michigan, we were all getting hyped up for our second game on the road trip. We lined up in the tunnel before the door to the ice opened and one after the other, we were flying out onto the ice for warmups.

Before I went to take some shots on net, I lifted one of my legs onto the edge of the bench and stretched before doing the same with the other. "Looking good hot stuff." I hear a guy call over from the other team. When I look over to see which jersey number the voice belonged to, I spot a guy with jet black hair in a Griffins jersey winking at me.

"Why don't you just take a picture? It'll last longer!" I shout at him before I place my foot back down on the ice and roll my eyes. "I'd love to!" He shouts back as I feel a body stop next to me. "Is there a problem here kiddo? Do I have to fight someone for you?" Casey asks looking down at me with a serious look on his face. "No, no. Everything's fine, just another dick trying to hit on me." I reply as I point to the guy wearing number 89 as he watches us like a Hawk.

"Want me to give him a back off warning once the puck drops?" Casey asked. "Case, you don't have to, it's fine." I reply but he refuses to let it go. "Nobody should ever try and mess with you kid. Because they don't know what's coming to them if they even try and lay a finger on you." Casey says leaning against the boards. "Alright, I'll allow you to throw one warning hit but that's it!" I reply rolling my eyes as he smiles like a kid in a candy store, pulling me in for a side hug. "Thanks Laney!" He smiles before skating away to take some shots on net.

After warm ups, we went back down to the dressing room to talk about our game strategies and plays we can use in the first period. And if that goes well, maybe even use them throughout the whole game.

"Alright... Let's get out there and play some hockey!" Coach Mike shouted as some of the guys clapped and hollered before putting their helmets on and grabbing their sticks.

******
The first period had gone well, we played a great offensive zone period and had scored two goals. One scored by Dylan and the other by Jason which gave us a 2-0 lead to kick off the game.

Now in the second period and we were on a power play. Coach had put Chris, Casey and Riley out along with myself and Jace. Number 89 was out on their penalty kill and you can guess what Casey was about to do.

We created a play in the Griffins zone which allowed us to play a game of keep away. But when the puck was passed across to Case, it missed his stick and landed right on 89's. Casey chased after the puck, staying on top of 89 before leading him into the corner.

As Casey battled for the puck, I went in to dig it out as back up. When I got possession of it against the blade of my own stick, I cradled it back and out of the corner as I made eye contact with Casey.

I nodded as a signal for him to make his hit and he nods back. He makes the hit before something inaudible comes out of 89's mouth. I make a pass over to Jason before I hear Casey speak.

"And don't you even think of talking to my teammate like that ever again or I'll tell your girl. Got it?" He says as I see 89 pals a bit as Casey hovers over him. The guy nods before Casey skates away to get back into the play.

A couple minutes left in the second now and the score was now 2-1. We were on a penalty kill for another 1:35 after Lucas got a slashing penalty, attempting to stop the Griffins from scoring.

"Casey, Jason, Delaney . You're up!" Mike says tapping Jace on the helmet before the three of us are on the ice to finish the penalty kill with Chris.

As we skate into the play, the puck gets turned over and it's a 2 vs 1 heading into our zone. Shit! I mentally shout as I skate backwards watching the forward's every move. The second I turn to pivot, the puck is being passed across to the other forward who winds up to take a shot on net.

Two seconds later, the goal horn goes off and the home team's crowd erupts as the home team celebrates their goal that ties the game at 2 a piece.

******
The third period flies by and now we're playing overtime. I sit on the bench catching my breath as I watch a play at centre ice before the game comes to a pause and I see Chris drop the gloves with a guy who stands a few inches taller than him. The refs let them at t for another minute before they decide to break it up.

The crowd is roaring out in loud cheers for the show that had just been put on in front of their eyes as the refs send both Chris and the other guy to the penalty box.

Coach changes up the line and sends Casey, Jace, Riley and I put on the ice as fresh legs for the 4 on 4.

Now as the overtime resumes, Jason passes the puck to Casey who begins to skate past centre ice and into the offensive zone with the puck. When the three of us get there, we form some sort of weird triangle and play around with the puck.

Jason passes it to me, I then pass it to Casey before swapping positions with him. He passes the puck over to Riley who's wide open as Riley receives it on the tape of his stick before giving it a wicked wrist shot on net.

We hear the sound of the rubber disk hit off the top left post before it trickles down over past the goal like. The ref signals a goal as Riley gets down on one knee to celly before Casey, Jack, Jace and the team skate over to celebrate our 3-2 OT win.

******
After we finished with the press and got back to the hotel, I had a quick shower before getting changed into some pjs and getting all cozy in the bed.

I picked my phone up off the night table and decided to FaceTime my brothers and catch up with them for a bit before going to sleep.

"Hey Delsey!" Matt exclaims as his face popped up on the screen. A few seconds after, Mason popped on and the three of us caught up.

After about an hour of talking to my brothers, I plugged my phone in to charge before turning the light off and going to sleep. It's going to be so nice to be home in my own bed tomorrow night! I can't wait to get home!