The Hockey Life - A Patrick Kane Fanfic

Part Ninety-Seven - We Are the Champions

PART NINETY-SEVEN: WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

The Hawks had a few days before the first game of the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They put all their hype from winning the Western Conference into preparing for game one. They wanted to begin the final series with a bang, and I hoped they would. After all the turnarounds they'd made in the playoffs so far and the progress they had made, they just had to win the Stanley Cup. I could see it happening, and I just felt like it would. It's not easy to explain it, but I had an overwhelming confidence in the team.

Once again, we headed to the land of the palm trees, but this time it was on the east coast. I didn't care to enjoy the beaches or the scenery anymore. I just wanted the Hawks to win some hockey games, and they won the first game against the Lightning, 2-1. Game two ended up being 3-4 in favor of the Lightning, but I didn't care. It was only one loss, and we were heading back to Chicago for the next game.

In Chicago, the Lightning got the series lead after winning game three, but we evened the score in game four. We went back to Tampa Bay with confidence after the win, and the boys won another one. The series was 3-2, and we were winning. The next game, game six, would take place in Chicago. The Hawks only needed one more win, and they'd have the Cup, and in their city, too. That would be the first time they'd won it at home since 1938. It would be a huge win for them, and the home ice advantage gave them a fair chance at making history.

After game five, mine and Tess' families made sure they didn't lose their tickets for game six. It had been a couple years since we all had been to a Stanley Cup Final game, and I would never forget the last time. It was a once in a lifetime experience that somehow was happening again rather quickly. It was almost unbelievable, but when the Blackhawks are involved, anything can happen.

"Your jersey is clean, right? If you didn't wash it you're going to have to just spray some perfume on it and wear it anyways. This is the most important game of the playoffs!" Patrick lectured me as we got ready to go to the United Center for game six.

"Wow, really? I had no idea!" I sassed him. "Of course I washed it! I'll put it on in a few. But it's not like you need the luck, anyways. You guys can do anything. I know you'll win tonight."

"I have a good feeling, but I still like the extra luck. Plus, it just makes me happy to see you in my jersey," he grinned.

"If you win, you'll get to see me out of it," I said. He gave me a surprised look and I just laughed. "Hey, Chicago wants the Cup! I've gotta motivate you to win somehow!"

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The United Center was fuller and louder than I had ever seen it. Every fan was insanely excited for the game, and I didn't blame them - I was too. Before I knew it, the anthem was sung and the crowd cheered at the top of their lungs, giving me chills. As much as I hoped this would be the last game of the season, I was simultaneously bummed out that it might be the last one. Life got boring without the thrill of hockey.

The first period was uneventful as far as goals went, but I knew something was bound to happen in period two. Every player was hungry for a championship win, and every player was going to do whatever it would take to get that. It was only a matter of time.

Sure enough, in period two, the shots kept on coming, and Duncan Keith scored an absolutely beautiful goal with the help of Brad Richards and my husband. I was afraid that Tampa Bay would even the score quickly, but the period ended before they could. I knew there was still another twenty minutes (at least), but I was hopeful.

Period three began and after a ton of shots and some time, Patrick scored. I was overwhelmingly excited. I almost hoped the Lightning would score once so Pat could get the game winning goal like in 2010, but then I realized that if they didn't score, Crawford would get the shutout. In all honestly, though, any situation would be ideal as long as we won. If we had to take it to game seven, so be it, but tonight felt like a good night.

As the time on the clock wound down, the Lightning had way more shots than they had in the previous periods, and I was afraid that they'd somehow tie things up, but with seconds left, and then nothing, they just couldn't score. I almost couldn't believe that the Hawks had won the Cup again. For the third time in six years, they were Stanley Cup Champions. And for the first time in almost eighty years, they were Champions on home ice.

The entire team gathered on the ice, throwing off their helmets and gloves and leaping at each other for hugs. The entire staff and hell, every Hawks fan in the building, was elated. I was elated. I was so proud of everyone on the team. They all had an amazing post season, and they deserved this win so much.

After the line of hand shakes and exchange of congratulations, the Conn Smythe trophy was brought out. I had it in my head that Duncan Keith was getting it - I really didn't think anyone on the team deserved it more. Although, I'd be happy if Crawford got it, too. But Keith did end up getting it, and I was really happy for him. He had an incredible playoffs run.

After Keith had his moment, the Stanley Cup was finally brought out. Jonathan Toews happily took it, and he was all smiles while hoisting it for his third championship win. When he was done with it (for the moment) he handed it off to Kimmo Timonen, who would retire now that the season was over and he had won a Cup. The Cup was then passed on from player to player as usual, and families joined the champions on the ice. I hugged Patrick as tightly as I could when I got to him.

"Congrats, champ," I told him, speaking into his ear while my head rested on his shoulder during our hug.

"Thanks, babe. It feels amazing," he answered. I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him lightly but he held me tight and kissed me hard. By the time we broke apart, his family had joined us on the ice, and his sisters had their phones out, taking picture of us.

"You guys are too cute, we just couldn't resist!" Jackie smiled.

"We'll send you the pictures," Jessica promised.

Pat's parents and sisters gave him huge hugs and congratulated him and then we all took a huge family picture together. Once we got a good shot, Toews made his way over to us for a picture with Patrick.

"We should all get a picture together," Tess suggested, as she had made her way over to us with her fiancé. We got a really nice photo of Pat and Johnny holding up each end of the Cup and Tess and I holding it up in the middle.

After a long time on the UC ice, everyone headed into the locker room, where the drinking began. It was nice to be able to celebrate in the Hawks locker room at home without having to travel to a bar. That was a plus for the public, who didn't have to endure the drunken singing that went on between the players. In all seriousness, though, the whole team singing We Are the Champions did bring a smile to my face.

It was a really late night at the UC, and although partying every once in a while was fun, I was glad to finally get back home. Patrick and I had sobered up a little by then, but the effects of the alcohol were definitely still there. That being said, he did end up seeing me out of my jersey as I had promised. I'm pretty sure we fell asleep very quickly afterwards - it was around the time some people normally got up to get ready for work by then. I guess that was the plus of waiting a couple years to win the Cup again - partying that hard and staying up that late was really only okay once every few years for me. It was so worth it, though.

Hey guys! Even though it's been over a week since the win, I'm still so incredibly excited that the Hawks won the Stanley Cup again! The playoffs were crazy, but we fought hard and we definitely deserved the win. This year I actually got to go to the parade, too! I didn't have that great of a view, but I did see the players and the Cup in person which was cool and it was super fun to be a part of the giant sea of red in Chicago and to party with fellow fans. I'm just a really happy human right now :) Anyways, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, please vote for it and keep in mind that I always love hearing your comments. This weekend is going to be busy and my writing for the rest of the week is going to be dedicated to another story I'm writing, so I'll try to update soon but it might be another week or two. We'll see. Thanks for your patience, understanding, and support!