Fire & Ice - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Waking up in my own bed alone was a bit weird. After sleeping next to Cassie for so long I had to adjust to sleeping alone again. Well I did have Frank keep me company all night but it wasn't the same. I sighed and got up to get moving. I needed to get to the hotel before the buses leave for BC. It did take me a few minutes to get all my stuff together. For the game today I wanted to dress up a bit for the walk in. So I had to grab everything now because I was going to stay with the team after practice before the game. I said bye to mom and Frank and grabbed Travis' car keys before taking off for the hotel.
When I got there I took the side entrance up to my room with Toni. When I got there I saw she was still getting ready for practice.
"You have a good day?" Toni asked slipping on her track pants.
"I did, I got to surprise my mom, see my dog, have some good food I was missing and sleep in my own bed. It was nice." I answered and dropped the garment bag on the bed.
"And what is that?" Toni asked.
"That is for walk ins later." I said and grabbed my backpack.
"You are getting dressed up?" Toni asked curious.
"Yes, you do realize basically my whole home town is going to be at these games right? I want to look good. You ready?" I answered.
Toni and I left the room together and walked down to the lobby to get some food for breakfast before we had to leave for practice. Coach was surprised to see me when I walked in the room. The surprise was written right on his face as Toni let me know he did come around last night checking in on everyone. Toni covered for me like she said she was going to and I thanked her greatly for it.
We ate something light for breakfast and then we were off for practice. When we pulled up to the rink I saw some people milling around the front of the building and I just pulled my hat down. I do know that Ohio State was off this weekend and wouldn't put it past Tatiana to show up at the game if she came home for Thanksgiving.
It took a few minutes to get everyone off the bus and I turned my head to look at the people waiting around. Turns out I was right, Tatiana was standing there with a few of her friends. I quickly turned my head back around and rushed inside the arena. I didn't want her to see me. I know she is going to cause problems and I don't want to start anything this weekend.
Practice was good, it felt nice to go full speed with the team again. My ribs were aching after practice was over but I knew with Marissa wrapping my mid-section with ice packs they would be good to go for game time. We made our way back to the hotel to rest and relax before game one. As we got there mom was waiting in the lobby for me with Frank and I couldn't help but smile. She looked a bit alarmed when she saw the ice but it was all forgotten when my team filtered into the hotel and wanted to pet Frank. He was soaking in all the attention while I just sat and relaxed a bit with mom. But finally I went back up to the room and mom left with Frank saying she'll be at the game with Dawn and Malcolm.
I took a shower when I got up to the room and then laid out on the bed for a while. Toni much like myself was just relaxing for a while before we had to start and get ready for the afternoon game. I unzipped the garment bag and pulled out the suit jacket and pants along with the crisp white button down shirt and tie. My black dress shoes were waiting for me on the floor of the room.
"Going all out I see." Toni said from over my shoulder as I pulled on a tank top.
"Yup" I answered and slipped on the dress shirt next. The pants followed the shirt and once that was all on, I pull on my socks and shoes. I buttoned up my shirt and made sure the it was tucked in right then grabbed my tie. I stood in front of the mirror and flipped my collar up and pulled the tie into place. It took me a few minutes but I finally got it tied right and pulled my collar down.
"Damn, too bad Cassie isn't here, you look hot McKenna." Toni said as I came out of the bathroom.
I couldn't help but blush and send Cassie a few selfies while Toni went into the bathroom. I grabbed my suit jacket and pulled it on. Toni didn't take long before she was ready. She ended up dressing up as well and I couldn't help but return the compliment. When we made our way down to the lobby it looks like the whole team got the memo because everyone was dressed up. It made me smile as I led everyone onto the bus. I took a seat in the back and sent my mom a text letting her know we were on our way over to the arena.
It didn't take us long to get there and as we pulled up a lot of people were waiting for us. Well, come to find out, they were waiting for me. Before the driver opened the door coach stopped him.
"McKenna, lead us out." He said and gave me a nod. My team cheered me on and I couldn't help but smile. I made sure everything was buttoned correctly before I stepped off the bus. As my feet hit the ground I heard the crowd cheer. I gave everyone a wave and stopped when I saw my mom standing towards the front of the crowd in my jersey. Our social media guys got a few pictures of us together then Dawn and Malcolm jumped into a few pictures as well. When I finished up with them I looked at the rest of the crowd and decided to do something fun. I ran down the crowd and gave them all high fives before making my way back towards the entrance and went inside the arena.
When we got inside I took a few seconds to get myself together and then started to change into my gear for the game. It didn't take long for me to get ready and all I wanted to do was go out there and hear the roar of the crowd. Finally it was time for us to get out onto the ice. Quickly I ran my eye black over my cheeks and once I was sure it was good, I got on the line to get out onto the ice. For practice, I left my helmet off and in the locker room. I usually wear it because of the concussion but today I wanted to take everything in without it on.
Finally we got to the ice and the house lights came on. I waited for the rest of my team to get onto the ice before I took off onto the ice. The roar of the hometown crowd was something I don't think I could ever get used too. The building felt like it was shaking. I just skated around for a moment before looking around at the crowd. Just as I was about to start my warm ups I heard the announcer speak.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, lets give a nice warm welcome home to McKenna Bertinelli!" The place went nuts and I gave the crowd a wave. It was then when I found my mom standing on the bleachers with Dawn yelling and jumping around. I pointed at her and smiled before I started to settle into my pre game warm ups.
Now with that out of the way, I was able to dial in for the practice. I got in some good stretching with the rest of the team and gave some good slap shots at the net that snuck past Nicole. When we returned to the locker room she told me how unhappy she was about that. I just laughed and told her that I will make sure she has plenty of support during the game.
Our break wasn't long at all and soon enough we were back out onto the bench for the start of the game. Coach called our line name to take the opening faceoff and I felt so excited to finally be back in the game. I lined up against the center for Boston College and I knew that this was going to be a big test for me. I couldn't let the outside distractions of being home effect my game play. So with one final deep breath I watched as the referee drop the puck and I swept the puck towards my teammates. Becca was able to get it and we set up a play to run in the offensive zone.
The first trip into the offensive zone produced a shot on net but no goal. I was good with it. We are testing the other teams defense right now, to see where there are holes and who are there weak players if any. The first few minutes of the game were like this. All lines took their shifts and then we reported back to each other of where we should try and press on the next shift. There was only about five minutes left in the first period and coach was giving all of our lines about an equal amount of playing time. Most of us were always ready to go when the next shift came.
As I hopped over the boards for my shift, Boston College tried to catch us in a change and I knew I would be able to get a breakaway from cutting off their passes. I tracked the puck right as their defensive player tried to send it up ice. But it was clear during the change nobody saw me get onto the ice. I cut off the puck and charged up ice into the offensive zone. With only the goalie in front of me I needed to pick my shot carefully. I slowed down a little and faked like I was going high glove side. But as the goalie moved to chase the puck I pulled up and was able to hit a wide open net on the blocker side. The crowd went nuts as I did my celly and turned back towards the bench. Toni and Becca both jumped onto me as I jumped and we got to celebrate for a moment before I skated over towards the bench.
As I took a seat on the bench I could hear the roar of the crowd start to make it to my ears. Everyone was buzzing. We cruised into the second period up by one. As the buzzer sounded we all made our way back into the locker room. Just as I took my helmet off I smirked and sat down in my locker and started laughing.
"McKenna, I think you would want this one." Coach said and threw something at me. I caught it and turns out it was the puck I just scored with.
"When I get more this series I want them please." I said and held the puck in my hand.
"Alright team here's what I want you guys to do." Coach said and started to give us the game plan for the second. I barely paid attention to him. This is my home; I'm going to put on a show for the crowd.
Our break was short and we went back out onto the ice. Coach started our second line this period and gave us a break. The second period started out quietly. Both of our teams trying to make moves but our defensives stepped it up, not letting either of us get anything past. The second period was a quiet one in general. We tried to set up plays but Boston did their homework on our trick plays though and we couldn't get anything hard on net.
The second period went by scoreless and the crowd was getting anxious. They wanted to see another goal and I knew I needed to deliver. Coach Decker and Coach Jackie went deep into the play book for plays we have only run once or twice and got us all up to speed on them. With all the new plays fresh in our brains we went back out onto the ice to start the third.
Coach Decker started my line for the third and I lined up to take the face off. When the referee dropped the puck Boston won the face off and tried to take off down the ice with the puck. But Stacey got in the way and planted her feet, not moving. The Boston player bounced right off Stacey and she hit the ice as Stacey past the puck up the ice to Toni while I took off towards the other end of the ice. We timed it right and just as I got to the blue line Toni past the puck up Becca who drew the only defender in between us and goal. Once she got her to follow I tapped my stick on the ice and Becca past the puck in between the defenders legs over to me.
The puck bounced a little bit and I didn't have a lot of time to get it to settle. I looked up and saw the goalie was starting to come across the front of the net to face me. As she committed to her slide I slammed on the break and sprayed ice all over the place and hit the puck as hard as I could and watched it sail right in between the goalies legs.
The crowd went wild and as I did my celly and hugged my teammates as a thanks for the assist. As I came back over to the bench I pulled Stacey into a tight hug.
"Thanks for that" I said and she chuckled.
"I didn't think she was going to try and keep skating into me but she did and it was so funny to watch her bounce off." Stacey said and we sat down next to each other on the bench. We chatted for a few more second as I caught my breath and then listened to coach tell us about the next play he wanted us to try and run.
Most of the third period was like playing a giant game of keep away and four corners. At first, coach was all for it. But as time kept ticking down Boston was starting to get annoyed and worked out what we were doing so they started to press us. It worked though because as Boston pressed us they kept making bad mistakes. One of them was fumbling with the puck in the neutral zone of the ice with me coming up right behind them.
Once I saw what was happening it was like the seas parted. The rest of the ice was clear and all I had was me and goalie. So I went for my favorite shot. I skated hard right down the middle of the ice and watched as the goalie realized I wasn't going to stop and shoot, she started to back up into her net which made gave me a lot more room to shoot. Once I got close enough I put the puck onto the sweet spot of my stick and shot it hard right up and over her glove. I didn't even have to watch it to know it went in the net. The amount of times I practiced those kinds of shots, it's almost like a guaranty I'll get it in. As I came around the back of the goal hats rained down on the ice and I smiled. My first collegiate hat trick.
I looked up from the ice and found my mom standing on top of the bleachers with tears running down her cheeks. I gave her a smile and pointed up towards her on my way back to the bench so the ice team can come out and pick up all the hats. It took them a few minutes to get them all and once they did we started the game back up again. I looked up at the clock and saw we only had 5 minutes left in the game and I sighed and just sat back on the bench. I knew coach would now try and spread the wealth with the third and fourth lines in giving them some ice time.
As the clock was down to the last minute of the game I felt someone come up behind me and grab my shoulder.
"I'm gonna give you a victory lap okay." Coach said in my ear. I nodded and felt him hit my back and I jumped over the boards to play the last minute of the game. The rest of my line stayed on the bench as I skated with the fourth line.
We were playing keep away from Boston again when they tried to take the puck away from one of my teammates. Instead of turning it over she past it up to me and I skated into the offensive zone again. The crowd was yelling at me to shoot and I knew I didn't have a lot of time left in the game. I skated around one defender easily and made my way towards goal. As I got closer to the net the crowd was really yelling for me to shoot so I did. This time I went low blocker side and watched as the goalie dropped her arm down to try and catch the puck between her arm and torso.
But right behind her the referee was pointing down into the net and the light went on behind the goal. I just scored again. I just smiled and thanked my teammates for the assist before returning back to the bench. When I got there coach gave me a look.
"I should have known you were going to score." He said.
"The crowd was asking for it, I wanted to deliver, and I also owe some goals to some people. Now I'm even." I answered.
Coach didn't say anything but left me out on the ice for the final few seconds remaining. We had another center take the draw but it didn't matter. Only a few second after the puck dropped the buzzer sounded and the game was over. Boston left the ice right away after the game was over and our team made their way off the to the locker room as well. I undid my helmet and slipped it off before hopping back onto the ice for a minute. Right when I did the crowd went nuts. It felt like I just won lord Stanley's cup as I stood there. I smiled and waved at the crowd and found my mom came down from where she was sitting to ice level. Security was blocking the ice entrance but I just opened it from the ice. He moved out of the way and let my mom come over to me.
Just as she got close, mom threw herself in my arms and I held her close. It didn't last long though because I knew I was hot and gross right now.
"I just wanted to get a few pictures with you quickly before you got out of uniform." Mom said when she pulled away.
"Yea that's fine." I said and smiled when I saw Dawn come up behind mom's shoulder.
Dawn snapped a few pictures of the two of us before she got in the picture as well. Then both women dragged Malcolm into it as well before I could get away from them. Once they got their pictures, I went back into the locker room and found the team was waiting for me with a water bottle shower. After getting me good coach came over to me and handed me the three other pucks that I scored and told me I had a lot of media requests when I was ready.
I took my time getting showered and changed before stepping out of the locker room dressed in my dress pants and shirt again with the top few buttons undone. When I got to the media room I was kind of shocked to see the crowd of interviewers waiting. I barely had time to sit down before questions were being thrown at me.
"McKenna, how did it feel to be playing again, and playing at home." Was the first question.
"Well, we all clearly saw how much I loved playing at home. I also owe some people some goals so we are even now." I said and chuckled.
"Any comment why you weren't on the trip last weekend to Dartmouth? It certainly looked like you were ready to be back on the ice after today's performance." Was the second question.
"I thought I was ready to get back out there but coach made a different decision. Having last weekend off completely from hockey was good for me, physically and mentally. Tonight's results speak for themselves." I answered.
"It sounds like you didn't agree with the coach on his decision then." The same reporter asked.
"Oh I didn't and he knew how I felt about it. I was frustrated that I was still in some pain from my injury and I broke a stick at practice before storming off the ice. For that he kicked me off the trip and told me to change my attitude. So I did, used it to fuel my practice for this set of games. Tonight I made it clear why I was the number one recruit in country this year. I'm never one to brag about my talent but I think tonight I'm going to a little bit after scoring four goals. Playing in front of my hometown crowd is special and I hope you guys are going to stick around for our second game tomorrow."
I know I'm going to get in trouble for it but I couldn't shut my mouth. Right now I felt to high on the win and the four goals to care about the consequences. I answered a few more questions from the media before I called it a night. Right as I got out of the media room my mom was waiting for me.
"There she is! My big star." Mom said and pulled me into a side hug as grabbed my backpack and we started to walk out of the arena.
"You know I need to get back on the bus to go to the hotel right." I said as we got outside and found the bus waiting for me.
"Ugh I know, I'll be waiting up for you at home so don't take too long." Mom said and pulled me into another hug before walking off to the parking lot with Dawn and Malcolm.
Just as I got onto the bus the girls started to tease me about the hug I gave my mom. I just laughed at them and took a seat in the back of the bus and sighed. Tonight was great, the only thing that could have made it better was if Cassie was here.