Hockey Fights and Restless Nights

Rivalry Games in a Nutshell

The locker room before the game was sweaty, smelly and tense. The two high school crowds roared above us as our coach attempted to give us one last encouraging speech. "Tensions will be high on the ice but keep it civil and clean. Don't forget that there will be recruiters watching your every move, especially you two." He said pointing at me and Callahan. We were on the starting lineup for tonight's game and our actions on the ice will influence how the rest of the game plays out. Especially if Callahan is thinking of doing something stupid like cursing out someone's mom right before the puck drops (again).

Our walkout song, "Barracuda," comes on queuing our team to file out of the locker room to begin hyping up the crowd and warming out. But right as I was about to walk out of the door, Caleb grabbed my shoulder, pulling  me back and telling me "don't mess this up for me Max!" before shoving me out the door. As our team was done filing out onto the rink our rival, Saint Mary's High School, skated onto the ice with Irish bagpipes playing causing the two opposing crowds to began cursing each other out and yelling slurs, all more fuel for us players on the ice. Almost the whole school came to this game, yes, for the rivalry, but also for because of rumors around that school that everyone thinks there will be fights on the rink and in the parking lots, which obviously you wouldn't want to miss.

Callahan and I kept our distance during warm ups but due to our numbers being adjacent to each other, we were shoulder to shoulder for the reciting of the National Anthem and the announcement of the starting lineup. Since this was our home rink, the other team's lineup was introduced first.

"Captain, Steve McKilly, number 2"......"Captain, Richie Johnson, number 3." Callahan and I turned to each other in unison. How did we not remember that "Dickie" would be here. I could see the rage in Caleb's eyes. Clearly things didn't end well for the two of them either.

"I'm going to kill him!" Caleb barked.

"Get in line." I said back.

Soon after, it was our team's turn. ".....Captain, Max Miller, number 7," the announcer said, so I skated forward keeping my eyes on Richie as I came to a smooth stop right next to him and his starting line up of teammates. The rest of my team came soon after including Callahan who stopped right next to me for support. A senior from our school then sang the National anthem and when it concluded we all banged our sticks on the ice to kick off the game. (A hockey tradition.) "Good luck Fags" Richie yelled at the two of us. I went to skate towards him and rip his head off but was met with Calebs hand on my chest pulling me back and pulling his head close to mine before saying "he's not worth it, think of the recruiters." Our team huddled up once more before we headed back to the starting line, leaving myself head on with Richie once again. Our bodies were pushing off against each other before the game even started. The puck dropped and was sent over to Caleb who rushed ahead. I followed trying to clear some distance between myself and Richie. But he wasn't giving up. When I finally felt free of him I banged my stick on the ground, alerting Caleb I was open, and he sent the puck over. Just as I received the puck Richie came flying at me slamming me into the wall, stealing the puck. 

The game continued on very similarly to the beginning, our team pushing theirs, theirs pushing ours. Players from both teams were racing back and forth trying to keep position of the puck but both teams were equally as good and most passes were often intercepted by both teams. At the start of the third period, tension were at an all time high, both on the ice and off. Our rowdy crowds have been going back and forth with creative chants, both trying to be the loudest and most offensive. I was locked in, my eyes glued to the ref show as about to drop the puck. I was going to be the first goal, I could just feel it. But then I heard it. "K. I. SS. ING. Max and Caleb sitting in a tree." I could see the smirk on Richie's face, I could hear the laughter of his team as they all looked at Richie. Clearly he was responsible for this. I tried to think of the recruiters, tried to think of my hockey future but I had had it. But the anger consumed me, I threw down my gloves and sticks and threw the first punch right into Richie Johnson's rib cage. This triggered a domino effect for everyone on the ice as everyone began going at each other. I even spotted our goalie go after a player. Between punches, I spotted Callahan skating up to me. This made me more angry because I knew he was going to try to split us up. "Because the recruiters are watching." His voice mimicked in my head from earlier. But to my surprise Callahan jumped on Richie pushing him to the ground and began beating him up. Others came over at this point and I held them back for Callahan to seek OUR revenge. The referees tried to stop us but they were no match for the feral high school boys on the rink. Even harder now that the entirety of both teams had jumped over the board to come join their comrades on the ice.

The crowd was going absolutely insane which only made me want to keep going. But when I heard my coaches whistle and saw him on the ice I knew it was over. I pushed the Saint Mary's boy off of me and everyone retreated. I moved over to my side where Callahan was getting up and held on to him pulling him up, putting his arm around my shoulder. I must have missed it but clearly Richie and him both got their fair share of punches in. We turned to each other, both covered in blood, ice and spit and we started laughing. I haven't felt this way with him in what felt like forever. But now that we were older I also felt something else. His bloody, chiseled jawline, his blue eyes sparking with reflection of blood. I've never noticed it before but Callahan was hot as fuck. His giggling-perfect smile sent blood flowing into my dick. Thank god I had padding over it to hide this embarrassment. I don't know what's wrong with me. I have never felt this way for a guy before. Especially someone I knew so well. Maybe it was just from all the friction from fighting. I wasn't gay. Was I?

Coach Charles ushered us into the locker room as the game was called off. I knew we were in for one when Coach shoved everyone into the locker room, slamming the door shut. Everyone sat down and the yelling began. He cursed us all out but most of all me. Not only was I the one who started this fight, I was also one of the captains. "But you are a team and you stayed together as a team, so I disciplined you all the same." He yelled.

Coach left to go talk to the referees and our other assistant coaches. Leaving us all hyping each other up in the locker room all still riled up from the battle. When the coach returned we all quieted down to listen to his verdict. Would he suspend me? all of us? Kick people off the team? But what he said was by far worse.

"Me and the coaches talked. We think that the best way for you guys to learn from your mistakes will be to send you all to an team building camp together. Hopefully you will all learn from today and come back better players and better people." "Now everyone go shower and get the fuck out of my sight before I change my mind and kick you all off the team."

Everyone began moving around and taking off their pads and skates. As everyone was heading towards the showers Coach Charles yelled. "Not you two... Miller and Callahan I want to have a word with you."

We stayed back and Coach waited until everyone was out of the room before talking to us. "I also talked to the recruiters and they were very impressed with you two and how well you were working with each other today. They want to give you another chance when you get back from the camp to see what you guys are really like." Coach then continued to lecture us about being seniors and how we should be setting examples for the juniors on the team and all the "future hockey players that could have been watching." By the time his spiel was over the team had all come back from the showers, clean from the bloody fight. "Alright Boys, I'll see you later," Coach said to us before pushing us in the direction of the showers.