Reflection (Artemi Panarin)

Matter

Lesson 14: Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

-Taylor's POV-

Artemi and I were packing for New York for the Rangers game. It was silent, but I find the most comfort in silence.

"Do you think I'm a good hockey player" he asks from the other side of the bed. He had been getting a lot of heat lately and people thought he was only good because of Pat.

"No. I think you're a great hockey player. I think you can see things a lot of guys miss, you can loose a defender like no one I've ever seen, and your ability to be great in all three zones sets you above the rest" I state stuffing more sweatshirts in my suit case.

He lets out a laugh, "good to know someone thinks I'm good". I was about over him demeaning himself. That was my job.

"Hey... Look at me" I say in a strong tone that caught him off guard. "I know you're good, your team and coaches know you're good, opposing players know you're good, and Brian thinks you're some sort of hockey God. Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. You keep letting these mediocre reporters and sports blogs get in your head you're letting them win" I say getting frustrated. I don't get mad but I also don't like that Artemi thinks that these people are right.

"You're right Taylor, but they have a point. What would happen if I wasn't on a line with Patrick" he sighs sitting on the bed. I come around and sit behind him.

"Patrick has been in the NHL eight full seasons before this one. Has had dozens of wingers playing with him. But he's only been on pace for a record breaking season once. He's only had 26 game point streak once. And he's only had a regular season hat trick once. And he's done all of that stuff WITH you. No one else" I say rubbing his shoulders. His head falls back and he looks into his eyes.

"How come you always see the positive in things" he asks scrunching his face making him look adorable. I laugh at the face he made and lightly kiss his nose.

"The mind is the most powerful thing in the universe. I don't want mine filled with negativity. I want mind filled with happy memories, dreams, anything that will give me a reason to wake up in the morning" I reply. "Filling it with stupid shit from middle aged men who's only talent is watching a game while arguing with his mom from his office that is also his bedroom is no way to think mister" I say while boping his nose.

"Some of those guys buy my jerseys, they're not all bad" he retorts and I just roll my eyes.

We land in New York and I wish Brain was here. He would love it, but I know he's having fun with Nancy and Greg back home. Come game time I could tell Artemi was more relaxed. After they announced starting line up the game started and started quick. A few minutes and a tick-tack-toe play later we were up 1-0. As the game ticks on not much happens but we got a power play. Artemi calls for the puck and blows it pass the screen and Lundqvist and we now had the 2-0 lead. But just as quickly we were up by two we had gone down by one thanks to some bad penalties by us. As it seemed the moral of this game was to stop getting penalties, late in the 3rd, after the game getting tied at 3 thanks to Shaw, we found ourselves on another power play. Seabrook sends the puck into the zone and Kane chases it. Anisimov drives hard to the net and Artemi follows. Pat quickly passes the puck off the board to Artemi and he one times it straight into the net. We once again had the lead and Artemi was holding the game winning goal. Shortly after we took the lead the Rangers pull their goalie for an extra attacker late in the third. After a few heart attacks Duncs chips the puck out the defensive zone and Art picks it up. It was him and Yandle, then it was just him and he gets the puck into the net. Before anyone could celebrate on the bench we watch Yandle come from behind him and use his stick to take him down. He was sent flying to the boards and we all get real quiet. Patrick skates up with his arm above his head asking for a high five. Eventually Art gets up and hugs it out with his team. Not before skating pass Yandle and taping his hat reminding him he just scored a hat trick. As much as I wanted to be mad at the prick I couldn't. He was upset and it just shows how passionate he was. Man, I wanted to be mad at him.

"Well look who it is. It's my awesome, handsome, talented boyfriend" I tease as he sits next to me on the plane to DC. The '15 team is about to be recognized from the president and we were heading there now.

"If it isn't my hot, caring, brilliant girlfriend whom I would be nothing without" he mocks. I shake my head and open the blind.

"You guys are actually disgusting" Pat calls from in front of us. I kick his seat and he lets out a groan.

"So was I right or was I right" I ask referring to put discussion form when we were packing.

"I'm an okay player" he decides. I roll my eyes as his doubt is now modesty. He knew he was good, just needed to be reminded.