Today was game 1 of the playoffs. Needless to say, everyone was nervous.
I woke up and saw a missed call from Artemi. I immediately dialed his number but he didn't answer. When I checked the time, I realized he must have been in morning skate right now in St. Louis.
This series against the Blues was going to be extremely nerve wracking and it was only round 1. One of the biggest rivalries in the Western Conference was being put to the test for the next week and a half.
St. Louis was a good team and they were ranked higher than us at the moment so they had home ice advantage. I knew the team and their wives/girlfriends were anxious. We were all having a party tonight to watch the game together.
The rest of the day went by slowly as I waited for puck drop. I got home from school and put on a pair of jeans and my Panarin jersey. I ate dinner quickly before heading over to the Hjalmarsson household where the get together was hosted.
"Hey girl!" Elina said as she opened the door. "Ready for the game?"
I smiled and walked inside. "Not really." We laughed and headed deeper inside the house where the rest of the girls were sitting in the living room talking.
I sat next to Chaunette and we waited for the game to start. When it did, it seemed like all hell had broken loose.
The boys on the ice were skating fast and checking hard. I could tell both teams wanted this badly before the first period even ended.
By the end of regulation I had been chewing on my nails so much that Chaunette had to slap my hand down every time I even raised my arm the slightest bit. They were still tied at 0-0 so we went into overtime which was a lot more stressful.
Finally, nine minutes into OT the Blues scored. David Backes let one go that got deflected off of Trevor van Riemsdyk's skate and past Crow. I watched our guys skate off the ice looking defeated.
The rest of the girls were upset but we all had positive attitudes that our boys would bounce back in two days.
I went home and got ready for bed, waiting for Artemi to call like he usually did after road games. As I was brushing my teeth I heard my phone ringing. I dashed across the hall and answered his call right before it went to voicemail. "Hey," I answered through a mouthful of toothpaste.
"Hey babe," he said. "Why are you talking like that?"
I spit and rinsed my mouth before answering. "Sorry, I was just brushing my teeth. I saw the game," I changed the subject.
Art let out a noise of frustration. "We did not play good."
"Yes you did, it wasn't the team's best game and I know you all are nervous about playoffs but now that you've got a game under your belt I'm sure you're going to bounce back next game."
He paused after my little speech, letting the words sink in. "I guess you're right," he admitted. "I just wish I played better. I should have shot puck more."
"Art don't beat yourself down over this okay? It's in the past now; the only way you can change it is by doing better next game," I suggested.
"Okay," he sighed. "I miss you already."
My heart hurt at his words. "I miss you too. I'll see you in three days. Do you want to facetime tomorrow?"
"Yes, I miss that beautiful face of yours," he said.
"Stop it," I blushed. He always knew how to make me smile. "I should let you rest, you had a long night. I love you."
"I love you too Claire. Good night."
"Night," I hung up the phone and went to sleep.
---
hiiiiii everybody
I kept trying to update but I started reading this really good Sidney Crosby story and I kept getting distracted oops lol but I finally updated! it's been like a month I'm sorry guys :( now that hockey is starting back up soon (1 more month y'all!) I'll have more motivation
are any of you planning on watching the wcoh? I'm kinda excited for it!
*chants* USA. USA. USA. USA.
ok but fr we all know canadas gonna win this their team is stacked omg
I'm so excited to watch team north america tho it's gonna be lit
