The Boy, The Girl, and The Game (Artemi Panarin)

SHOWTIME

Annabelle

After the loss to Edmonton out of the bye week we head to Buffalo where there's still a five game winning streak at stake. We were excited to head out there, but one of us more than the others. "Lets go bitches" Patrick calls as we board the plane. "Patrick, your family isn't going anywhere without you. If they could they could have done it a long time ago" Jonny calls back and a pillow is sent flying. I swear those two. "Alrighty boys, lets keep it civil" I warn. "Yes mom" they both mumble and slide into their seats. How are they turning 29 this year? Eventually we get to Buffalo and Patrick insists I go to lunch with his family. At first I was against it but I missed his sisters and my brother would be there with Erica so I decided to go. After writing most of the morning I grab Artemi and drag him along with me. We have a good dinner and I enjoyed talking to Pat and Donna Kane. Their insight into hockey is great. What it's like to send their 18 year old off into a mans league. How hard it is to just watch with not much control anymore. How proud they are to see their son do what Patrick's done. How important family is to athletes. Things like that. Of course Artemi and Pat and Kyle talked amongst themselves the whole time and I migrated to his sisters. "So do you have another brother" Jessica asks and I laugh. "Not that I know of. But if I find one I'll let you know" I say nudging her. After a nice meal we head to the arena for the game.

"Hey Anna, can I talk to you" Patrick asks and I look at him weird. We always talk but never about anything serious. "Uh yeah, what's up" I ask pulling him into a quiet hallway. "I'm not sure what to expect here tonight. You know, last year was rough coming out here and I just want to make my family proud. But Buffalo is still my home no matter what, I'm not sure what to think anymore" he admits. "Patrick, this place will hold memories that no matter what you do, they can't be changed. This place will always hold great memories. You grew up here and the people who matter appreciate what you've done for the city of Buffalo. When people think of Buffalo and Hockey they don't think of the Sabres, they think of the history of the best American born player being created. What you do off the ice has absolutely nothing to do with what you do on it. You proved that and yourself last year. People are going to believe what they want, and I hate to tell you people don't want to see you succeed. You've single handedly beat every team in this league at one point, people are mad that you've done so well with the Hawks and that's a good problem to have. They're misguided and that shouldn't be a you problem. They can boo all they want but guess what? Only one guy in this arena is the reigning MVP three time Stanley cup winning scoring title holding hockey player from Buffalo. And it's you. So they can either respect what you've done for this city, or they can sit on their high horse with a blind fold on being led into oblivion. But my eyes are going to be open and on you all night because I know you're not going to let me down. You're more than just a hockey player, you're a performer and this is your stage. Now show everyone that it's show time" I say and he smiles. "What would I do without you" he asks giving me a hug. "Fight with Jonny more. That's for sure" I laugh patting his back. He heads off and onto the ice to applause. I knew he had been forgiven, the crowd cheers as he warms up and I see him look up to his parents. They watch down proud as ever, and they should be. We've all made mistakes, but that's how we learn. Things aren't always what they seem, the exact same event can happen but it's personal interpretation that makes a problem. That's what my psychology professor said at least. Ask Marian Hossa who had probably the league lead in goals called back or over turned even though they looked like goals to me. But the bottom line is Patrick wants to do good, he doesn't care what people think about him but he also hates being so misunderstood. As long as a person wants to get better I won't hold anything against them. Patrick wants to be better on and off the ice and that's something you can't hate him for. What he's done for this town, its crazy. It's been hard but he's still proud to call this pace home.

The game ends and Patrick has one of the most unreal goals I've ever seen. Patrick's had a lot of good goals, but this one was special. This one was spine tingling. He does his little cell and yells 'showtime' as I watch proudly from besides his team. That was probably the coolest moment of the season so far. The game ends and Artemi has two assists earning him a interview. He hated them but it was Hockey Day in America and Patrick already talked to them. I sit in the hallway of the dressing room watching on proudly. "Your line was quite until the third period, what happened" they ask him. "Patrick cussed me out and passes started connecting. I'm just kidding. All the other lines scored so we decided to join in the fun. I don't know if you know this but Arty and Kaner are really special players. Artys goal was just knowing where we are and Kaners goal was just magic, sick moves and unreal dangles. The guys incredible" he admits. "This is the last stretch into the playoffs, what are you planning to focus on these last few games" they ask. "Obviously having a good four line rotation. Our depth is great, having a guy like Hossa on the third line has to count for something right? We trust our goaltending and defense and now we just need to find a rhythm, I can't imagine anyone stopping us then" he says. "One last question. How do you feel about the bye week? Did it mess you up or did you like it" they ask.
"It's obviously hard having a five game winning streak going into it but I think it's important to have. Some guys were allstars so they didn't have a break earlier. I got to spend Valentine's Day in Chicago with my beautiful fiancé" he says but stops when he realized what he said. He looks straight into the camera and freezes. "You're engaged" the guys asks. "Ummm yeah. My girlfriend is really special, she's everything I've ever wanted in a person and more, and I wanted to move things forward. We're not making any plans yet, just ready for whenever we do" he stutters. I put my face in my hand and laugh at my incredibly oblivious but cute fiancé. "Well congrats to you two and on the win tonight. Best of luck" he says before leaving and Artemi walks over to me with his head hanging. "I'm sorry" he mumbles and I laugh. "I'm not mad" I chuckle and he looks up at me. "You're not" he asks and I shake my head. "No. It was actually kind of cute. But if Amanda and Lindsey try to kill me it's you I'm throwing under the bus" I tease. "Alright. I can take that" he laughs as I kiss his lips. I send him in the locker room where it was half cheers and half people just yelling at him. I take my glove off revealing my diamond ring. I guess the secrets out.