Linemates - Adam Banks

Distractions and Russia - 17

"I've had a lot of distractions since I've been here in L.A. This is a distraction," said Coach, holding up a life-sized cardboard cut-out of himself. The group looked at the cutout and laughed, remarking on how ridiculous he looked. "This is a fire in a barrel." Coach was handed his cardboard cutout by Jan, Bombay folding it in half and placing it into the barrel. "This is a distraction in a fire in a barrel. Any questions?" The group watched as cardboard Bombay began to curl in the barrel, catching on fire and being destroyed. The group cheered for him, happy to see their old coach back.

"We've got a lot of work to do. We've gotta study our opponents and study ourselves. We have to learn from our mistakes. You all have special skills, now we have to refine them," coach began. Coach worked hard, studying tapes from the games as well as working with Jan to try to teach Luis how to stop. Jan used empty bottles, piling up together and having Luis skate towards them. Each time, Luis was closer and closer to learning how to stop. The team worked extra hard on and off the ice, putting in extra hours in the weight room. Not only did they all begin lifting, but they had also used the olympic-style cardio facilities. Despite having Julie, Bombay insisted on working with Goldberg to increase his skills as well. Indiana even took up some coaching, helping a few of the players learn how to become a better precision shooter.

After their practice, the team finished getting undressed out of their hockey equipment. "Banksie, let's go!" Shouted Indiana, waving the boy along.

"I'll catch up with you guys," Adam said. Indiana walked by coach, who entered the room. A roll of tape tumbled out of Indiana's pockets. Realizing she never put it into her bag, Indiana began to walk back into the room, halting when she heard Bombay's voice.

"Now just think how you'd play with two good wrists," he said. Indiana sighed quietly. She had somewhat known in the back of her head that Adam wasn't actually okay, and was simply pretending so that he wouldn't be benched. However, Adam always said he was fine, and Indiana had no choice but to believe the boy.

"Coach," Adam said, surprised to see him. "It's just a little sore. I'm okay."

"I should have spotted this sooner. Sorry, man, I wasn't doin' my job," explained Bombay, who examined Adam's wrist carefully. .

"Coach, I'm fine. I can play, I swear," Adam persuaded.

"Okay, here. Let's find out." Indiana peered around the corner to see Adam holding a stick in his injured hand. "Now rotate it." Adam tried to rotate it but couldn't. He dropped the stick, looking at his coach with tears brimming on his eyes.

"I have to bench you," said coach Bombay.

"No, you can't do that," said Adam, pleading to the coach who refused to hear his case.

"Adam, you could injure yourself permanently," explained Bombay.

"You can't bench me, I gotta play. All the scouts are here watching me. This is my shot," explained Adam, visibly frustrated and upset.

"You're young and you're gonna have plenty of shots, believe me," said coach Bombay.

"But my dad's counting on me," Adam explained, his voice cracking with desperation, making Indiana want to cry for him.

"I'm sorry. My dad worked a lot when I was a kid. So, when he made it to a game, I wanted so badly to score 100 goals for him. I spent half the game a nervous wreck, my stomach in knots," Bombay began.

"That's how I feel," said Adam.

"Before he died, my dad told me that his happiest times were watching me skate on this pond we had behind our house. He didn't need me to score 100 goals for him. He was proud of me because I was his son, and I did my best. I'm sure that's how your dad feels. I know it is," finished Bombay. Adam thanked him, tears running down his face "Let's go get that wrist X-rayed."