Hockey Rules (Bucky Barnes AU x NHL)

Saturday Hockey is the Best

*~* Bucky *~*

The game started like normal.  Chicago is tough and known for great goal scoring. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are impressive on their line but Steve and I have them covered from the start.  Steve cross-checks Alexander Nylander and draws a penalty in the first, which is rare for him.  He's frustrated and I skate by to tell him to calm down.  I point up to the boxes.  I'm hoping if he finds Wanda, he'll relax.  We go on the penalty kill and I'm paired with Hampus Lindholm.  We have 20 seconds left when Toews faints to my left but gets around on my right and scores in the left corner.  Now I'm frustrated. We head into the locker room for intermission and I throw my gear at my locker.

Adam comes by.  "Hey Buck, relax we still have time to get back in this. Shake it off.  Think of Emma.  She would be pissed if she saw you right now." He's the assistant captain of the team so he was making this very serious.

Funny how that was exactly what I needed to hear.

We get into the second and I play smarter.  I stop underestimating Toews and Steve is covering Kane better.  We avoid taking any penalties but the others are not so lucky and we are down 3-2 going into the third.  As we head off the ice, I look up to the boxes and see Emma dancing to the song on the PA.  She's so cute, bouncing around and singing to the song.  I take that with me into the locker room.

Coach is not happy with the number of penalties.  "Guys, what is going on? Lindholm, Grant, those were sloppy penalties to take. We need to play smarter. Getz, Rakell I need you with Silfverberg and Henrique I'm putting you with Terry and Jones.  We still have 20. We can do this."

The third starts and I keep my focus on Toews.  I manage to steal the puck away and get down to the Chicago side, I see Ryan open and pass right on his blade and he five holes it to tie up the game.  I celebrate and look up to the box to see Emma cheering as the goal song is playing.  We have 10 minutes when Ryan Carpenter slashed at Sam Wilson and we go on the power play.  I know that Rakell and Henrique are power play specialist.  Coach puts me and Steve out there with Grant. We don't let up and Chicago is getting tired.  The goalie, Malcolm Subban is good.  But finally, there is break when Toews breaks his stick and can't defend.  I crowd the net for Adam and he is able to get it just past Subban's glove.

We finish the game strong and head back into the locker room to celebrate.  As we are getting dress, Barton comes in.  "Guys, great job with the refocusing.  We need to take that momentum into the double against LA. Tuesday we are here and Wednesday is the start of the road trip in LA. Make sure your bags are packed on Tuesday as we will be headed to the hotel in LA that night. Otherwise, enjoy your day off and we'll see you at practice on Monday. Let's go Ducks!"

The team cheers and finish getting ready. Rickard asks if we want to get a drink before we head home. 

"I'm suppose to meet with Emma right now."

"Bring her along! Emma is great! Tell her my fiancé will be there along with Paige."

I pull out my phone to text Emma when I see her message.

Emma: Hey super star! Great game! I knew you would be awesome.

Bucky: Thanks doll.  You were my inspiration.

Emma: I'm blushing thanks.

Bucky: You're welcome.  You are more beautiful when you blush.  The guys want to grab a celebration beer at a bar.  They asked me to go but they said I could bring you and that Paige was going to be there along with Rickard's fiancé. Did you want to go?

Emma: we can go as long as we bail early.  We still have a dinner to cook.

Bucky: Thanks doll.  You coming down?

Emma: I'm waiting outside with the other spouses.

Bucky: I'll be out in a few.

"Hey Rick, I'm and so is Emma." I finish putting on my suit to walk out.  "Hey Steve, you going too?"

"Yeah, Wanda is with Emma so we can all head over."

I see Emma still in my jersey.  I head over to her and give her a big hug.  She whispered in my ear. "I love the necklace.  You're my light too."  She gives me a quick kiss and we head out to the bar.  Saturday hockey has always been the best day for hockey.