The Day Has Come (Counting on Hockey #4)

Chapter 17: Johnny Hockey

Tonight is our game against Czech Republic in the final game. Each of our teams has won a game, so now whoever wins this game, wins the cup for the next two years. Cole's assistant captain for this years North America team, and I couldn't be happier. Cole's made two goals, both in the same game, seven assists, and he's one of the top picks for the MVP if we win tonight.

I sit at Cole's locker as he and his team rush around in time for the game, warm ups starting in just ten minutes. He has his pads on, but not his jersey or helmet. He's in a rush for something, but I don't know why. Everything is set, and all of his equipment is in tact, he just needs his jersey, which I'm holding in my hands.

"Cole", I finally speak out. "What do you need?" I ask him.

He stops, and walks over to me. "I have no idea, I'm just super nervous. Walking around like this helps me calm down".

Cole bends down in front of me. "Hey, you have nothing to worry about. Just do your best, and if you win, you win, you lose, well then, you lose". I lean down and give Cole a kiss then hand him his jersey. "Put it on now, or I'm benching you tonight, and you don't get to hold that trophy".

"You can't stop me", Cole fake pouts as he stands up and puts the jersey over his head, then I hand him his helmet from behind me.

"Okay team. Line it up, Meredith get out", North America's head coach, Todd McLellan yells out in the locker room. I give Cole one last kiss and head to my seat in the front row right near the Czech's goal so I can it see when we score.

I've never liked sitting in the wives box. It's too far away and I can't get excited like I can when I'm down in the crowd. I get my better view when I'm not on the bench.

I have on Cole's visiting, white North America jersey. His number, represents our first time anniversary. We don't talk about our break much, him and I avoid it at all costs.

The teams skate out onto the ice and start their warm ups. The crowd goes wild as North America comes out, and few root for the Czech's. NA wears their black and orange jerseys with pride, and the Czech's are in their white jerseys.

A few minutes later, the teams are done warm ups, the rosters are called, and the national anthem of Czech Republic is heard through out the stadium.

The game starts soon, and Johnny Gaudreau starts against Ales Hemsky at face off. Gaudreau wins the puck and passes it back to one of his teammate, and our defense men block the other team from the puck. North America takes the puck into the Czech's zone and we skate faster towards the net. It's only been ten seconds, and Johnny Gaudreau and his teammate, Connor McDavid, are already in a breakaway. Gaudreau and McDavid pass the puck easily between them, and Michal Neuvirth falls to the ice in his 'blocking a five hole' stance. Czech Republic players try to catch up, but North America has always been a very fast team. Fastest in the tournament.

McDavid makes the final pass to Gaudreau, and Gaudreau shoots it into the net. It goes just over Neuvirth's catching glove. The horn blares just above me. 90% of the stadium jumps up in excitement. The five North American players hug each other against the boards a few feet in front in front of me.

Third period comes, North America is up 6-2. Cole made the third goal, and assisted the second and fifth goal. North America fans haven't sat down since the start of the period, and we were 5-2. The sixth goal came just a moment ago when Johnny Gaudreau made his hat trick, second time this tournament. We have five minutes left in the third period, and I couldn't be prouder of my fiancé and the team he is a part of.

Czech empties their net six minutes before the end of the game, and McDavid scores our seventh, empty net goal. It's no longer a surprise we score another goal, but the crowd celebrates just as much. They put their goalie back immediately after that.

5.....4.....3.....2.....1.....

"And North America has won the World cup of Hockey for the first time", an announcer yells into his microphone from somewhere in the stadium. I jump up and down and scream and shout, and celebrate.

The players of North America shakes hands with the Czech's and the Czech's leave the ice after. The keepers of the World Cup and their helpers roll out a red carpet onto the ice as I start to make my way down to the ice where already most of the wives and girlfriends stand, waiting for their chance to see their winning man.

"Who's it going to be?" A wife I kind of know, though I can't remember her name, asks. She's talking about who's going to be MVP. She looks at me for a moment.

I shrug. "You know who I'm rooting for, but Johnny probably has the best shot", I say. She nods.

"MVP for this years World Cup of Hockey, is Calgary Flame's Johnny Gaudreau".