Sweet Caroline (Corey Crawford)

Sweet Caroline

Corey

We end up defeating the Kings just as easily as we defeated the wild back in the first round. It sure was nice to see Patrick stick the knives in their hearts and end it in double overtime. It was nice to watch because I sat in my net and watch it all unfold.

But that series was child's play compared to what we were seeing with this Boston team in the finals. I've been through a lot in my three years in the league but this matchup is hard.

If I thought those Detroit guys were hard then I don't know what hard is. Because this was all for the cup and every single guy on the ice wants it. And the only way to get it is not going around or over these games, but through this team.

Come game six we have our first chance to win it all. Although a game seven at home would be in our favor, we would lose a lot of momentum. So even though we wouldn't win it at home, it would still be really nice to get it done with.

Before the game I go to the team lunch. My family is here and Caroline's Dad is here and we decide to get some food at the ice rink and chill out with everyone. We find a table and fix our plates before sitting down.

"So Crow, are you excited for tonight" Caroline's Dad asks me.

"I have no clue how you did this all these years. I'm a wreck" I admit.

"Isn't it obvious? Im insane" he smirks and I laugh.

"I don't plan on losing my mind any time soon" I admit.

"Suit yourself" he sing songs and I just shake my head. He was such a weirdo, but I loved it.

"What are you going to do if you win" Caroline asks and I freeze. I look around to see if someone said something or if I was just being paranoid.

"What do you mean" I ask.

"You know? Are you going to bring the cup home? Are you going to take it somewhere" she asks and I sigh.

"I'll bring it home for sure. Probably show it around" I admit.

"That would be nice" she admits.

"What did you do with your times with the cup" my dad asks Patrick and he kind of laughs.

"See that's different. We didn't have all these platforms and social media following us around so our freedom was a lot larger" Patrick insists.

"He threw up in it" Caroline says and I nearly choke.

"A few times yeah" he admits and we all start laughing.

"Remind me not to eat out of that thing" I shake my head. I can only imagine what else has been in there. That trophy has been passed around for decades, but that's part of what makes it so great. That and the fact that you have to get through four of best of seven series to hoist it.

After lunch I go back to the hotel and change. No use in trying to nap today. I was more awake than I have ever been.

I change into my suit and look into the mirror. It was the end of June now and it was nice outside so I didn't wear a hat. My hair was about to be under a helmet so I didn't bother with it.

I pull out a picture and smile. It was one I keep in my wallet at all times. It was from Jamaica when Caroline and I went swimming with the dolphins. There was one that was obsessed with her and I called him Corey because he was clingy like me. The picture was of us kissing the dolphin and it was honestly the coolest thing ever. I loved that day and that trip, but most of all I loved that girl.

"What are you looking at" a soft voice asks. I turn around and see Caroline in jeans and my jersey I got for her.

"A picture of us" I admit as she walks over. She looks at it before smiling up at me.