Time For Change (Mitch Marner X OC)

Back in action

It has been a week since you were injured and you are getting checked by the doctor as to whether or not you can return to play. You get the feeling that you will be alright. He double-checks the latest set of X-rays.

"Can you lift your shirt for me?" He asks. You do as he asks. You will be glad to get this over and done with. He carefully presses on the area. You don't flinch in pain this time. He gestures for you to put your shirt back down so you do.

"I think you are ready to return to playing but I suggest that you are mindful of your injury," The doctor responds. Finally, you get the words you want to hear.

"Thank you, Doc," You are glad that you can go back to playing. You send Mitch a text letting him know the deal. A day later you are wandering the halls of the training arena. You are listening for Jack and Frederick's tennis ball. You manage to make it to the change rooms without running into them which is odd because you normally do.

"Welcome back," Ilya remarks as you place your bag on the bench. You are greeted by hugs from the team. It makes you feel better that they are happy that you are back. You get to work on getting ready but you are soon interrupted.

"It's good to have you back Jay," Frederick remarks as he starts tossing the tennis ball in the air.

"Thank you. It's good to be back," You respond. You start to whistle as you get your gear on. Two minutes later you are ready but you are stopped.

"I see the doctor has cleared you for play," Sheldon remarks. He seems a little surprised which is fair.

"Yup but I have been told to be careful," You reply a little cheerfully.

"Well I will get you to do some shooting then we will go from there," he gives you something easy to do. A minute later you have joined Jack near the goal. You line up for the shot. Jack only just managed to deflect the puck. At least you are back to normal. You will see what the next game has install for you. You take another shot. There is still some lingering pain. Jack just missed the puck. After twenty minutes of light training the team is having a drink break. Mitch is checking on you.

"You know you don't have to worry about me Mitch," you remark.

"I know but I can't help it," Mitch replies. You are glad that he cares. You flash him a nice smile. A couple of days later you are getting ready for another away game. This time it is in montreal. You are impressed that Sheldon let you come but you are ready for whatever the game holds. You are warming up on the ice. Shleldon has gotten you and Mitch to do stick handling between Danny, William and Auston.

"Hey Mitch do you think we could make it a little more competitive?" You ask as Mitch completes his go.

"In what way?" He says as he comes to a complete stop behind you.

"See who could do it the fastest," You respond. You get the feeling that he will win but you are feeling a little competitive.

"I'll time you two," William offers.

"OK ladies first then," Mitch remarks. You get into position. William gives you a gesture to start. You take off as fast as you can. You make it in nine seconds. Hopefully it is enough to beat Mitch. Mitch gets ready. William gives him the same countdown. Mitch barely beats you. Thirty minutes later you are getting ready to take the face off. It is tense. The umpire drops the puck between you. You manage to snatch it from the canadiens' centre.

"I'm open," Ilya calls out. You pass the puck to him before the defenceman can do anything. He takes the puck down the rink. He passes it to John.

"Jay, Ilya, make sure you are open," John Tavares calls. He goes for the slap shot. It deflects off the goal in the exact manner that it did a couple of games ago. Ilya sntaches it from the air.

"Jay," Ilya makes his intentions known. He passes it to you and you manage to score. The goal horn sounds. You are glad that you could score another goal for the team. It feels good. You get ready for the face off. You can feel the death glare from the Montreal centre. You return the favor as the umpire drops the puck between you two. After a couple of seconds the Montreal centre has broken free with the puck but Morgan soon sntaches it back.

"Auston," Morgan calls out. He flicks the puck to Auston. It was good timing because the Montreal defenders have started their attack. Auston brings the puck down towards the goal. There is one problem. The defenders have recovered and they haven't left much of a gap. Hopefully Auston can see the gap.

"Auston I'm open," You call out as you make your way around the defenceman. Auston gets the puck to you and you manage to score again. Ten minutes later the period has come to an end. Sheldon is checking on you.

"I'm fine but if you really want to change the line up put Danny on," You suggest. You can tell that he wants to give you a break. You take the seat that Danny was occupying. It will be fun to watch. John takes the face off again. Two minutes later your enjoyment is interrupted.

"Jay, I'm switching you with John," Sheldon remarks. It's a fair substitution. You get yourself ready to take the ice. Sheldon gestures for John to come off. Thirty seconds later you have switched with John. Mitch has the puck but he is struggling.

"Mitch I'm free," you call out. At least you can assist. Mitch slams the puck towards you. Thankfully you were able to get it. You slip past the defenceman. You soon encounter the same problem as Mtich. You are however able to weave through them.

"Over here Jay," Mitch remarks. You can see the gap so you flick it to him and he scores with a masterpiece of a slap shot. The goal horn sounds which causes the crowd to go wild. You quickly get ready for the next face off. It is a tense couple of seconds as you try and wrestle the puck from the Canadians' centre. You only manage because he is a little slower than you. You pass it to Danny so he can take it past the neutral zone. He soon gets it to the other side.

"Mitch, Jay make sure you're ready," Danny remarks. It means he is going to try for the shot. Both you and Mitch get into position. He takes the shot but the goaltender flicks it away with his skate. You sntach the puck from the defenceman. You take the shot and it goes in. You seem to be having a lot of luck with this game. Ten minutes later the period has come to an end. You can now relax a little bit.

"Thanks for your help Jay," Mitch remarks as he drinks a massive gulp of water from his bottle.

"I would have done it for anyone on the team," You retort. You are glad that you could help Mitch but you know that you can't take all of the credit. You also take a massive gulp of water. You wish the game could be playing against the Bruins again just to prove yourself. You decide to eavesdrop on some of the other conversations while you wait for the last period to start.

"Jay do you think that the Canadians are getting more aggressive as the play goes on?" Frederik asks. He is right.

"I think so. It would also explain a lot," You reply. Three minutes later you are all back on the ice. You are waiting for the umpire to place the puck between you and the other centre. It is a tense couple of seconds as he drops the puck between you. You start the process of wrestling the puck from the other centre. You manage to get it and you start to bring it down but the defence soon closes the gap.

"Danny," You call out as you pass to him. Danny uses the opportunity to score. The goal horn sounds and you are pleased with the assist. You get ready for the face off again. You can feel the death glare of the other centre but it's not bothering you for some reason. A second later the umpire has placed the puck between you and you have started to wrestle for the puck. You try and get it to Mitch but you just miss. Thankfully Danny is able to pick it up instead. After nine minutes of play the game is going nowhere but you are trying your best. The defenceman has wrestled the puck from you. You can hear the cheers of encouragement from the rest of the team. It makes you feel better. You skillfully get the puck from the defenceman again. You weave your way down the rink and you can feel the countdown to the end of the period start. You can feel the time slow down as you shoot the puck. It sails over the goaltender's head. The goal horn sounds and a roar flows through the crowd. A second later the end buzzer sounds which means you have led the team to victory again.