Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Golden Goal

After a handful of questions, the reporters are ushered out of the suite by a well-dressed man who presumably works for the team judging by the lanyard around his neck. One lone photographer stays behind—with the family's approval—to document them as they watch the two Kettler boys play in their first game together.

Eli skates out for his rookie lap and everyone who has gotten to their seats early enough cheer him on as he makes his way around the rink. He decided to go bucket-less, which means a definite fine from the NHL for purposefully avoiding safety precautions. In his defense, nearly all of the newbies skate without a helmet for their rookie lap—it's tradition!

Not long after Eli completes his lap, the Colorado Boulders and the Philadelphia Fiends flock onto the ice for warmups. Moss watches on as his parents proudly hold their phones at arms length, recording Shane and Eli as they take practice shots at the empty net together.

"Look at my babies! My boys are all grown up!" His mom says in a voice thick with emotion.

"They're not boys anymore, hon. Those are men out there on that ice!" Moss can hear the pride in his dad's voice as he puts an arm around his wife's shoulders.

When warmups come to an end, the teams briefly head back to the locker rooms. A hype up video appears on the big screen showing various dramatic shots of the players and the city of Denver to get the crowd pumped up. The main lights are off, but there is a laser show happening, which is set to transition into announcing the starting lineup.

"Welcome back, Boulder fans!" The announcer's voice booms over the loudspeakers. Still roaring from the video they were just shown, the crowd is clearly ready to see their team back in action on the ice.

"Get up on your feet, it's time to get loud! Please join me in welcoming back YOUR COLORADOOOO BOULDERSSSSS!"

Deafening cheers continue to erupt from the fans.

"You know him, you love him! It's number fifty-eight—ETHANNNN LANDRY!"

The crowd goes wild for the alternate captain as he makes his way to the blue line on his lonesome. Following Landry's introduction are the rest of the forwards who also garner excited shouts and applause from the fans as they join him on the ice.

"Number ninety-eight—SHANE KETTLER!" Moss and his parents yell extra loud as he emerges and waves at the crowd coolly.

More and more of Colorado's players flood the ice as the energy continues to buzz around the arena. The Kettler family shouts with just as much enthusiasm, if not more, when Eli's name is called during the defensmen's introduction as they did for Shane. It seems like the roster announcements are coming to a close after the goalies make their way onto the ice when the lights dim abruptly even more so it is practically pitch black in the building.

Two spotlights suddenly appear. They crisscross back and forth by the tunnel at the home team's bench where the players have been emerging from. Anticipation builds as the background bass gets lower and faster.

"Bould fans—please, if you haven't already, get up on your feet and join me in giving a loud and proud 'welcome back' to our very own Norris Trophy winner! Number eight—TYYYEEEE MARTELLLLL!"

Moss didn't think it was possible for the arena to get any more rambunctious than it already has been. He knew that Martel was a beloved member of the team, but being the defenseman of the year for yet another season must have solidified his spot in the hearts of all Colorado fans.

Martel glides onto the ice with his helmet under his arm. His other arm is raised and waving humbly at the fans around him who he most likely can't even see. Looking at the big screen, Moss can understand why the city is so fond of the guy. Aside from the undeniable talent that he brings to the team, Martel also sports a bashful smile and rosy cheeks which make him all the more likable, in Moss' personal opinion. He eventually joins his team on the blue line where he towers over pretty much everyone else other than Eli and another player.