Living Proof (NHL)

Chapter Twenty

Eight hours later and we were ready for battle against the Flyers.

The day had been long but everyone was able to sleep the whole plane ride so we felt ready for the fight. Being that the Penguins and Flyers have been long time rivals, I knew I was in for trouble. Many of the guys warned me about who to stay away from and try not to hit.

"Alright guys. Tonight's rivary night and so I need all of you to play hard but smart. Downie, try to stay out of the penalty box." Coach laughed as Downs smiled innocently. "Kolby, try and stay under the radar. This team plays hard and the last thing we need is you injured."

"I'll be fine Coach."

He ignored me and continued. "No one take stupid penalties. The Flyers are number two in the standings with power play goals so we don't want to give them a chance in getting a goal. Other than that, play with the pace you had in LA and we'll be good. Flower in the cage and Sid's line out first."

The cheering began as we grabbed our helmets and sticks before heading out the door. I took my spot in front of Sid and waited for the time we could go out onto the ice. The arena was loud as we skated around the ice, passing and shooting pucks.

The National Anthem was sung and then we were all on the bench, except Sid's line, waiting for the puck drop. The first couple shifts started out like a normal game. Everyone was playing a fast game and keeping pace with eachother.

Ten minutes and a couple slashes to Flower later, and we were all hyped up. For some reason, the Flyers were targetting Flower. Yeah, they were hitting us hard but they stayed on him longer and were actually slashing him. Both refs, of course, acted like they didn't see anything.

We were in our zone trying to get the puck away from the Flyers. They were ontop of their game and it was proving harder than we fought to even get the puck to the middle of the ice. Giroux had the puck and finally shot it towards the goal but Flower easily caught the puck in between his pads.

Some how I had ended up battling in front of the net against Voracek. When Flower got the puck, Voracek shoved his stick into his pads and moved him back into the net.

"Hey!" I bellowed. Grabbing the back of Voracek's jersey, I yanked him away from Flower making him lose his balance and fall to the floor.

I didn't think he was going to retaliate but he caught me off guard and knocked my skates out from under me. The air was knocked out of me as my body slammed the ice but all I felt was anger.

I had no idea what was going on around me, my full attention was focused on Voracek who had crawled above me. He grabbed the front of my jersey and pulled on it so my shoulders were off the ice.

"Not so tough now are you?" He laughed but it was short lived.

Before my fist could connect to his face, the refs were ontop of us pulling him off of me. They yanked me up and started pushing us both towards the penalty box.

"Why am I getting a penalty?!"

"Roughing." The ref shoved me into the box and they slammed the door.

I was furious. I should not be getting a penalty when he was the one who messed with Flower and tripped me.

"I'll be gunning for you Bair, watch yourself!"

Voracek was standing in the other box, shaking, as he yelled at me.

"Oh I can't wait!" I yelled back with a smile.

Glancing at the bench, I could see Beau, Sid, and Coach yelling at the refs. They didn't pay attention though and dropped the puck. Me and Voracek were stuck in the penalty boxes up until there was only thirty seconds in the first period left.