Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 5

WCF 2014 - Game 7

I watched all of the Western Conference final games on my computer in the corner of my couch.  During the games, Amanda and I would text.  I was on the edge of my seat and my anxiety was through the roof.  After watching game six, I didn't know if I could continue watching.  It was too much.  Game 7 was necessary, and my best friend, Amanda, was about to become my hero or so I thought.

She and I work together.  We are both teachers at the same school.  Her classroom is across the hall from mine, which is the best thing ever.  It makes work tolerable to have her there.  Game 7 game day and I have my one and only Corey Crawford tshirt on because for some reason I still haven't gotten myself a jersey.  Seriously, priority #1 when school is out.

It's the middle of 3rd period and she bursts into my room.  "Who's your bestest friend in the whole wide world?"

"Well, you of course!" I exclaim confused.

"What are your plans for tonight?"

"Nothing.  Get Nathan from school, grade some papers, watch the game. Why?"

"Find Nathan a sitter because we are going to game 7!" She says.

I stare at her dumbfounded.  "Wait!  What?"

"If you want, we can go.  The guy my dad goes with had an emergency, so my dad has two extra tickets.  He offered them to me and I am offering one to you.  So what do you say?"

"Totally in! You rock." I can't believe it.  GAME SEVEN!!

The rest of the day passed in a blur.  After school Amanda and I dropped our cars at my house.  Her dad was meeting us there, and we were all going to drive together.  I still couldn't believe my luck.  However, my luck ended shortly after that as her dad was running late from work, traffic to the city was terrible, and traffic around the city was worse.

We arrived at the United Center and rushed down to the ice to catch what remained of the pregame warm-up.  All I caught of the warm-up was Patrick Kane tossing a puck into the stands as he skated off the ice, last...like always.  I missed my normal pre-game ritual.  No Blackhawks store, no pre-game skate, no ogling Corey as he warmed up.  I had this weird fear that I had broken everything.  "That's stupid," I thought.  It will be fine.

We made our way up to our seats.  The atmosphere in the United Center was tense and anxious.  People were concerned; it was game 7.  What if they won?  What if they didn't?

The game was a nail biter the whole 60 minutes, which turned out not to be enough.  Awesome!  Free hockey.  I could hardly contain my nerves.  I had watched Corey intently for the first three periods.  He was strong.  He would hold out.  He would stop more pucks than Quick.  I had confidence in him.

OT started and I think everyone was on their feet, making noise, and supporting their team.  Then the place fell silent as we all watched the puck fly past Corey into the net.  The red light came on and the Kings were going to the Stanley Cup final and the Hawks, well their season was over.  I watched Corey drop his head and I felt my heart break for him.  I couldn't even imagine the guilt and disappointment that he felt.

Everyone thought he was only average as a goaltender.  Even one Stanley Cup didn't quiet the haters, and after the loss against the Kings in OT, he would only hear them louder and clearer than ever.  I wanted to find him, hug him, and tell him it would be okay.  He would have next year to prove that he deserved to play for the Hawks.

That night I cried for Corey Crawford and for what he was probably feeling.  It wouldn't be the last time I cried about Corey Crawford either.