Love Game

Chapter Fourteen: Part One - Party Crasher

Let's go Avs! Let's go Avs! Let's go Avs!

The crowd at Pepsi Center tonight was deafening. My ears were ringing, but I had to stay focused. I had to push any distractions out of my mind. I couldn't afford to lose my focus right now. 

We were playing the Minnesota Wild in overtime. It was a blood bath. Punches were thrown and hits were laid out. The penalty boxes were filled with either Avalanche players or Wild players. The rivalry these two teams had started within the last couple seasons was sure brutal. Since the Avs lost in the first round of the playoffs to Minnesota last year, in a game seven, the Avs have wanted to get payback. And, of course, I was a big part of it tonight.

I had dodged several hits. Some that could have ended with a blown knee or a elbow to the head. Luckily I was small and fast, so Minnesota didn't really know how to defend me. Plus after the Raffi Torres hit, they may have been even afraid to touch me in fear that they may get a suspension as well. 

The clock in overtime was running out; less than a minute to go. The crowd was on their feet, sounds of the glass pounding surrounded me. My heart was beating in my ears, my stomach felt like it was going to fall out of my butt. I was nervous and I definitely wasn't focused.

"Hamilton! Get out there! Go, go, go!" Coach shouts at me as I see Paul Stastny quickly make his way to the bench. 

I hop over the boards and I storm down the ice, dodging another hit once again. I cross over the blue line into the Minnesota zone. To my left I see Nathan and Gabe fending off several Wild players off the puck. I position myself in front of the net, feeling the goalie push me in the back with his glove. I try to push myself away from defense-man Ryan Suter, but he was much bigger than I was. It was like trying to push a boulder.

I battle with Suter in front of the net, soon seeing the puck creep out to the blue line. Tyson Barrie winds and shoots, sending a scorching slap shot towards the net. I try to get out of the way, hoping the puck will find an opening; but sure enough, I felt the puck go off my stick. No, not a terrible deflection. Please no. 

I close my eyes and bite my lip, soon hearing the goal horn go off and the crowd start cheering.  Before I had the chance to celebrate, I felt all my teammates plow me to the ice, forming a big pile on top of me. They all shout in my ear before letting me up off the ice. I received several hugs from the guys, and then I finally made my way to Gabe. 

"Great goal there, sexy lady," Gabe smirks at me, pulling me into a bear hug. 

"Tyson shot it. I just stood there," I laugh, patting his butt as I still had my gloves on. 

"Tonight it is all you, baby." Gabe laughs, pulling my hands away from his butt. "Not in front of everyone, remember?"

"Right," I whisper, a smile spreading across my face. "I forgot."

"You choose where we celebrate tonight. I'll even sneak you some drinks," he smirks, winking at me after he makes his statement. 

We all hustled to the locker room. The guys offered the shower to me first, which I greatly appreciated. I showered quickly, soon slipping into a tight blue dress with matching heels. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail, then a thin layer of eyeliner and then a couple quick swipes of mascara.

I walked back out into my locker, seeing that all the media had disappeared. I sigh in relief. I wasn't really in the mood for more interviews tonight. I wanted to go celebrate the amazing victory with the guys. I wanted to just let loose and have some fun. 

I felt someone hug me from behind and right away I could tell it wasn't Gabe. Then I felt their head bury into my shoulder, soon picking me up and spinning me around in the air.