Time For Change (Mitch Marner X OC)

A tainted win

It is the day of the big game against the Buffalo Sabres. The team is warming up. You are finding it difficult to warm up because you can feel the burning looks from the other team. It's like they are telling you that you don't belong.

"Don't let them get to you," Auston remarks as he glides around you. It's a good thing that everyone on the team is there for you. It makes you smile even though Sheldon is making the warm-up hard.

"I'll be sure to change the negativity to positivity," You respond. After two minutes everyone who is on is sufficiently warmed up. You are in position for the face-off. The umpire drops the puck and you manage to get it. You start to bring it forward but you can feel a slight tug at one of your skates.

"Auston," You call out. You flick the puck to him before you lose your balance. Dang, it. You've fallen over. You can feel the hands of Mikko Lehtonen pull you up. You make a note to get revenge. 

"Are you alright?" He asks.

"Just a little peeved," You respond as you dust yourself off. A couple of seconds later you have joined the others at the goal. Mitch flicks the puck to you and you take the opportunity to score. You get it high and the goaltender is unable to deflect the puck in time. The crowd isn't as loud as the home game but you still get the joyful feeling. A minute later you have taken the face-off and you are carefully waving between the players.

"Mitch cover," you can feel one of the defensemen bearing down on you. Mitch falls behind you and you flick it to him between your legs. He receives it and then he weaves around you. He passes it to Auston. At least the defenceman didn't intercept it. You try your best to make sure that you are able to assist Auston if he needs it.

"Jay," Auston calls out. He gets the puck to you. You go for goal and you score but it is tainted by some crude comments from some of the more drunk parts of the audience. Ten minutes later the period has finished. Sheldon has taken you off. You are glad because you need a break. You are however concerned that Danny may get a hammering. You take the spot between Ilya and William.

"Jay are you alright?" Ilya asks.

"I only ask because you seem to be copping it,"

"Thank you for the consideration but I think I will be fine," You respond. You know you won't be but you've decided that the best way to get over the negativity is to make sure you get your anger out in the form of game play. So far it has worked. Danny has just taken the puck back from the defenceman. He then slips it to Mitch who skilfully dodges the others as he brings the puck to the goal.

"Auston," He makes his attentions clear. He slips the puck to him and he goes for the goal. It goes in. You start to think about the game. You've noticed a pattern. You hope they have noticed it as well. It appears that they have. Fifteen minutes later the period has ended. Sheldon has made some drastic changes. You and William are on as the wings and John Tavares as the centre. It will be interesting. You all take the ice. The umpire places the puck between the two centres. The Saber's centre takes it from John and you get to work on getting it from him. You feel a force hitting you from behind. You have just been checked.

"Sorry," The player snarls sarcastically. At least it didn't affect your play in any way. You decide to ignore it. A minute later you get in the way of the player that has the puck. You quickly take it from him. It's the person that checked you so you give him a smug look as you skate past him with the puck.

"William," You call out as you slip the puck to him. After some back and forth maneuvering between you, John and William you've made it to the other end of the rink.

"Make sure you can assist," William calls out. You get the feeling he will aim for the crossbar. He shoots and you are right it deflects off the crossbar and you are able to recover it. You use the confusion created to shoot. It goes in. You are relieved that the plan paid off. Sixteen minutes later the game has tied. You can feel the pressure building as William flicks you the puck. You hope you can be a buzzer-beater. Everything feels like it has slowed right down. You try to go for a goal. You get it up high. It goes in just before the buzzer sounds to signal the end of the game. You are set upon by your very happy teammates. They have piled on for a group hug. You are happy that you could secure victory. It is the day after the game and you are getting ready to leave. You are still joyful at your victory. There is a knock at your door. It's Mitch.

"What can I do for you?" You are a little surprised that he has come with all of his stuff.

"The coach wanted me to tell you that we are leaving a little earlier than planned and we are meeting at the bar," He responds. You quickly shove the rest of your stuff in your bag and you join him. You are glad that it was another victory for the team. However, there is something weighing on your mind. Hopefully, the thing is not coming across visibly.

"Hey, are you alright? You seem distracted," Mitch asks.

"I will be fine," You avoid the topic because you feel like you will be bombarded with support. A minute later you've made it to the lobby. Where everyone but you and Mitch have assembled. There is something off about the team but for some reason, you can't place it.

"Mitch, what's going on?" Mitch squirms because he knows something. You are worried that something bad has happened but you are pleasantly surprised.

"You know how I told you that we were leaving earlier? I told you a white lie we are celebrating first," Mitch announces as the others all turn around to face you. You are relieved that there is nothing wrong.

"Here you go Jay," Auston remarks as he carefully slides a drink to you.

"Thank you, Auston," You respond. You are glad that the team is supportive. At least you know how to have fun.

"To our best goal scorer," William gives you an informal toast.

"It's only been two games," You retort.

"Yes but you've scored five goals and I'm not risking my career," Mitch responds before William can. He is right but you get the feeling that you might hit a slump. You decide to ignore the nagging doubt at the back of your mind. Plus you are celebrating so you should enjoy yourself.