Fire in her Heart and Ice in her Veins.

Chapter 26

October 18, 1979. Minnesota. 6:00 p.m.

Chelseas Pov

After practice today, Herb was showing us a tape recording of the USSR team. Currently the best team in the world. They were unbeatable...not even the NHL All-star team could play against them. It was intimidating to watch...they were just that good. They were fast, strong and smooth hockey players. 

"The Russian style of play boys is fast and creative, their forwards are always circling...they got the 2 on 1 easy goal...do not leave open ice" Herb said in a monotone voice as he stared at the black and white film. 

I watched as two USSR forwards came onto a two on one play. The one starting with the puck spun around the defence man and did a back hand pass to his partner who shot the puck into the net scoring on a five hole. 

" Damn" I mumbled as I stared in awe at the film. That was really impressive. 

" Thats a lot like me out there huh boys" I heard John Harrington 'Bah' joke around which made everyone laugh. Haha, he wishes. Currently Bah was apart of what we liked to call the coneheads line. I didn't really talk to him much but he was a nice dude. And he was funny. 

" Boris Mikhailov, captain for the last six years and he is the best player at his position" Herb said pointing out as a USSR player came on screen. He was tall, big, and looked like he was a force to be reckoned with. Part of me was excited to be able to play against a person like Mikhailov, but then the bigger part of me was nervous. 

" Do they ever smile?" I heard someone say but I was too busy focusing on the screen, watching Mikhailov skate down the ice. He was wickedly fast. 

" They're Russians, they get shot if they smile" Jack said smirking at the screen. 

The boys laughed again, and it was kinda bugging me they weren't taking any of this seriously. I glanced over at Jack wanting to see if he was just joking around like the rest of the guys but he looked serious. Good, because this was important. 

"Vladislav Tretiak...if you score on Tretiak keep the puck because it doesn't happen often" Herb said as a goaltender who was blocking shots off his pads came onto the screen. He was going up and down really fast blocking shots that were coming at him from left and right. My mouth dropped. 

Holy crap he was good. Like I've never seen a goalie play so perfectly before....how they heck do you score on him!

" 42 games in the past 2 months and 42 wins... intimidation , they know they are going to win and their opponents know that they are going to win" Herb said as he suddenly turned off the projector. The screen disappeared and the lights were turned back on as everyone faced Herb. 

I scanned the group of guys who were all sharing the same expression. We all looked intimidated by what Herb just showed us and honestly what else do you expect us to feel. They were incredible! 

We were just a bunch of college kids who were good at hockey...they were a bunch of 30 year old men who were great at hockey! 

" Okay listen, I'm gonna cut the crap of saying you guys are better then these guys because lets face it you aren't" Herb started off which to me felt like he just slapped me in the face. Way to build up our confidence Herb. 

If he knows that we can't beat this team...hell even keep up with them then why are we on the Olympic Team. He should be getting some older and more experienced hockey players...from the NHL. Form a dream team. 

" but I know that there is a way to beat this team ... you don't defend them, you attack them, you take their game and you shove it back in their face! the team that is finally willing to do that, the team that has a chance of putting them down is you " Herb said looking over us all.