Born To Be A Star, Raised To Be A Legend - A Riley Andersen Story

Chapter 17 (Finale): The First Dance

“Believe me, the reward is not as good if there is no effort.”

“We play with our heads and, when necessary, with our hearts.”

“Train a lot, really a lot, and when you are really tired, train a little more, because that little bit will make you better.”

“When it comes to commitment, effort, dedication, there is no middle ground. You either do something well or you don't do it at all.”

“Don't be afraid to fail. That's the path to success.”

“I think goals should never be easy. They should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the moment.”

Fate had Riley and Sarah meet in the PWHL Finals, and now, what could be expected was the most anticipated Finals ever, New York and New Jersey, a clash that goes beyond hockey, a cultural clash. In a series of 7 games we would have the winner of the most anticipated clash in history.

The first two games had already been played, with both teams winning, and now the final game was in New Jersey to confirm who would be the champion team. It was a unique atmosphere, anyone could win and a hero came out of a fairy tale to show the world what he came for.

Despite this, it was only a matter of hours until the game, but Riley was there in the locker room alone with a pen and paper taking notes. With 4 hours to go before the game, Riley arrived much earlier than her teammates to think about strategies for her team, her cell phone was next to her, showing the best plays of the New York team in the first two games. With that, Riley was able to understand the opposing team's plays.

To avoid being bored alone there, Riley grabbed her Jordan Nova 1 and went to the ice rink to skate and take notes, It was Riley's preparation of territory for the game later, everything would depend on her performance, in the other games these had been her performances.

Game 1 (PWHL New Jersey 2 - 1 PWHL New York)

1 Goal, 0 Assists, 4 Steals, 90% Faceoff Wins

Game 2 (PWHL New York 3 - 2 PWHL New Jersey)

1 Goals, 1 Assists, 7 Steals, 78% Faceoff Wins

Game 3 (PWHL New Jersey 5 - 2 PWHL New York)

3 Goals, 1 Assist, 10 Steals, 97% Faceoff Wins

Game 4 (PWHL New Jersey 3 - 4 PWHL New Jersey)

3 Goals, 0 Assists, 5 Steals, 95% Faceoff Wins

Game 5 (PWHL New York 5 - 4 PWHL New Jersey in 2OT)

2 Goals, 1 Assists, 8 Steals, 100% Faceoff Wins

The final and decisive game would be Game 6, in New Jersey.

Riley: Okay, I play more on the right side than the left, if I have the chance to go to the left I will, but I need to be careful when moving near the defenders, it can be dangerous. I don't know why, but it seems that if we score, I think, 2 goals in the game we can put pressure on them. (said Riley as she talked to herself)

As she skated in circles across the ice, she looked up at the stands, planning something grand for the decisive night. It could be her coronation as the best player in the world, but it could also be the first defeat of her young professional career.

Riley: Getting back (to the focus on strategies), playing to win is what we need, maybe Gabbie will play a different role and I will alternate between attack and midfield, to maintain control, maybe. Why does it seem so difficult to come up with a play that might go wrong?

As Riley continued to skate in circles, she realized the mistakes she had made and why the play Riley had come up with with Gabbie was a play that the NY players were able to defend. That's why Riley had brought her notebook there, she came up with several plays that in the PWHL at least had not been seen until then.