Hockey's Our Game

Chapter 20

“Let’s do this!” I yelled as we made our way back onto the ice for the third and final period in my last state game ever. The score was 1-2, we were down by one but that only made us want it that much more. I have never wanted anything more than this title right now.

The puck was dropped and I got it to Bailey and she passed to Mia and Mia held on to it for a second, she was thinking, I got by the opposite goal, one swift pass Mia sent it to me and I was setting up for my shot and the left winger belly slid in front of the puck, I stick handled closer jumping over her with the puck still and dangled around another one and was tripped and landed on my knees but I fell forward and tapped it in the fifth hole scoring. I got up and did a nice celly with the team and the other girl that tripped me was called on it and we had the power play advantage.

I was out for the next play, I sat and watched and our little underdog really shined. Ava got the puck from Bailey and she took off and sniped like no other on the goalie. “Yeah Ava!” I yelled and we all banged our sticks on the boards and they cellied hard, this was only Ava’s 3rd goal of the season and it happen to put us back in the lead at state. 6 minutes left of the most fast paced and intense game I have ever been in.

There were plenty of calls of offsides on the other team and some icing calls on us. We managed to hold them at the 3-2 with a minute left in the game. The center from the other team got a nice breakaway, the thought of her scoring pissed me off and I flew down there and I was right there before she took the shot and I slid in front her and it shocked her and the puck didn’t leave the ground but flew right into my helmet making the cage break off, I didn’t get hit in the face thank god the puck just flew back at her and Mia was there to get it back and she did fancy footwork with the puck and held them. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, it’s over. I skated to Mia and the team was yelling like no other. I was too excited to care about anything else. 6 years in a row we have won the state title in Illinois. There was a giant dog pile in center ice of Fury and we were crying tears of joy.

We all got up and lined up and they brought the trophy out and set it on a table on center ice, we got our medals put around our necks and we all got a picture of us holding the huge trophy above our heads as if it were the cup then a team picture. The speeches were my favorite part, the captain got to give a speech and the assistant captains got to give one too if they wanted to. The speeches were about the team and the hard work we put in this past year.

I went up first “this isn’t a team, this is family” I gestured towards the team, “I have been with them for a little over 10 years now and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. We have put in countless hours of training, on-ice and off-ice, together. I cannot tell you how many times I have yelled at all of the girls about how we need to work harder. We have lost girls and added some throughout the season, only making our team stronger. I could personally tell you anything about any one of these girls, I know them just like family and they know me the same way. We all have our problems but as soon we step foot into the lobby of the rink we put on our hockey faces. Outside problems become nothing we are a unit and do everything together. I have had the best season ever with these girls; there is no better team than this. This is also our sixth state title in a row, meaning that this U19 Girl’s Ice Hockey team has just broken the record of most consistent winning of the state game. That being said this is officially the best hockey team in the state of Illinois for the sixth year in a row.” I handed the mic back to the announcer and joined the team.

Mia went up for her speech “I couldn’t agree anymore with Tori, the Fury rink has been my home for the past 10 years and they have been family, every one of them is there for everyone and all their injuries. We are all known at the hospital, I don’t know if that’s a good thing” everyone laughed “Tori having the longest rap sheet” she smiled back at me and I flipped her off “oh the love” she said and then we all laughed again. “But seriously I wouldn’t trade this family for anything. This team is filled with so much talent and heart for the game. That is the real reason we got to the point we were today, and our actual family. The parents and other relatives who have supported us since the first time we stepped out on the ice, thank you. We really wouldn’t be here without the support we get at home and our team is our second family and they give us support like no other either. I present the winning team of the State Champions of 2013 U19 Girl’s Ice Hockey” she came back over to the team.