Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 7

Start of the 2014-2015 Season

The summer passed quickly, and without warning school was starting again, but the good news with this was the release of the 2014-2015 game schedule.  Amanda and I were excited about picking game dates and buying tickets.  We picked several different games:  one in October, one in January, one in February, one in March, and one in April.  I also splurged and bought tickets for another game in January, on my birthday, for my dad, sister, and I. 

Corey was doing well early in 2014-2015 season.  People were actually giving him credit where it was due.  I had been reading articles that said he was having an incredible year, making unbelievable saves.  People were saying if he kept this up, the Hawks were a shoe in for the cup. 

Our first game was in October and the Hawks were playing the Flyers. It was the perfect start to the season. We arrived at the game and did our normal pre-game routine. I felt better already, and knew that it would be a great season.

"It's going to be a great season. I can just feel it." I said.

Amanda agreed.  "Without a doubt!  I see some more playoff games in our future."

This was going to be our only game for the rest of 2014.  I didn't have tickets to another game until my birthday in January, so I relished every moment.  By this time, Amanda knew of my "love" for Corey Crawford, and she loved to give me a hard time about it.  I didn't care; it was worth it.  Watching his warm-up routine and him taking shots in the net was the best medicine.  It didn't matter what was wrong in my life, it just felt like being there, watching him, made it so much better.

We also made sure to take notice again of the wives.  There were different wives at the glass this season.  Amanda Bickell was there with her and Bryan's daughter.  Elina Hjalmmerson was there with her and Nik's son.  Duncan Keith's sister was there with his son.  No Abby Sharp or Dayna Seabrook this game.  I wondered why the wives or girlfriends without kids, like Andrew's girlfriend, Chaunette, didn't come down to the glass.  I thought about what I would do...I would come down, kids or no kids.  I wonder if the wives and girlfriends were at every game.  I know Amanda and Elina commented on their social network accounts that they tried to always be there, but what about the others.

The game was good.  The Hawks won 4-0 and Corey was star of the game with his shutout.  I was sad that this would be our only game until January.  I thought about checking out tickets for a game in December, maybe around Christmas break, until then I would have to catch the games at home.

I continued to watch the games at home as the season progressed.  Then on an early morning Twitter check, I read the news.  "Crawford injured on off-ice accident."  I read it.  He hurt his ankle at a Rage Against concert and would be out for 2-3 weeks.  I watched the interviews with him.  He was embarrassed, of course, but I could hear the frustration.  He was having the best season, and now he would be sidelined.  Would he come back as strong as he had been?  So many questions loomed in my mind and in the minds of all the other Blackhawk fans.

Time flew by it seemed and Corey was back at practices.  He had been voted into the AllStar game in Columbus, which was the first time for him.  His initial games back weren't that strong.  He was struggling and making mistakes.  He was inconsistent, and people were calling him out on it.  He needed to be better.  Where was the Crawford from October and November?  He wasn't getting cut any slack, and it was important that he get back to his original form.

The Winter Classic game in Washington was nearly upon the Blackhawks.  I had been watching the Road to the Winter Classic series on EPIX.  It was really interesting, and I was hyped and ready for the game.  I watched some of the family skate clips from New Year's Eve.  I saw Corey talk about his birthday plans.  He was 30 this year nearly four years younger than me.

I watched the game at my parents' house, which was a big mistake.  My dad is Blackhawks fan, so long as they are doing well, but the minute they make mistakes or fall behind he becomes an angry Blackhawks "fan."

"If I was Q, I would bench Crawford.  He sucks." My dad said during a commercial break.  The Hawks were down and Corey was having a rough game.  

My dad's rant continued as the game progressed, luckily I guess, his focus shifted from Corey to Toews then to Sharp, Kane, Keith and whomever else.  However, my eyes and attention were only on Corey.  He struggled and he missed shots he should've stopped.  Something wasn't right with him, and I wondered what it was?

I wanted to do something to help, but what could I do?  I didn't even know him...yet.