The varsity team was quiet as they took places on the benches in the
locker room. All of them were disappointed in how the game was going. None
of them dared speak as Coach Wilson strode into the locker room behind
them. Wilson hadn't been happy after the loss on Saturday night. They
didn't thin that the fact that this rematch with the JV was tied at this
point was going to help his mood any.
They were right. Wilson let the door shut behind him and then let the binder he was carrying with him drop to the floor with a bang. All of the Warriors jumped at the sound.
"What do you guys think you are doing out there?" Wilson screamed not really wanting an answer. He got one anyway.
"Um, I thought we were playing hockey," Kilbourne said sarcastically which only added fuel to the fire.
"You could of fooled me," Wilson shot back at him angrily. "You guys are letting these freshman make fools out of you again. Hell that last period you guys let Banks skate circles around you and he didn't play half the season. And you," he added looking directly at Riley. "What the hell were you thinking with that stupid stunt you pulled tripping Banks. You guys could have still been two points up on them if it weren't for that little stunt. And your lucky the ref didn't throw you out of the game completely. I'd do it myself if it weren't for the fact that you guys are not doing well out there."
"It was an accident," Riley said trying to look offended at the implication that he would do something like that on purpose.
"Like hell it was," Scooter shot back from his place on the bench.
"Are you calling me a liar, Scott?" Riley asked turning to look at Scooter with anger in his eyes.
"Yes I guess I am,"Scooter replied easily.
"Look goalie, no one calls Riley a liar and gets away with it," Cole said standing up and taking a step toward Scooter who stood up to meet Cole's challenge.
"Cut it out before I bench all three of you," Wilson yelled stopping everyone in place where they were. Wilson waited for Scooter and Cole to sit back down before he continued. "I don't want to see any more stunts like that one out there. That goes for everyone. Giving them a power play is defeating yourself and at this point they don't need your help to win."
"I want to see some real hockey played out there this last period guys. There is no reason they should be able to score one more goal. I want you to play hard and if you happen to take one of them out so be it but make damn sure it's a legal check. Do you understand me."
All heads nodded. They all knew not to say anything even Kilbourne who had to struggle to keep from saying some sarcastic comment. Without saying anything else Coach Wilson stormed out of the locker room leaving a stunned varsity team in his wake.
Over in the JV locker room things were a little more upbeat. Though bruised and tired the Ducks were happy to have tied the game. Though all their fans and supporters were expecting another win the Ducks knew that their Coach would be satisfied with an tie and after the mockery the varsity team had made of them the first period they would too.
"Anyone get the license plate on that truck," Averman quipped as he sat down on the bench still shaken from the hit he had taken from Riley and the other Varsity skater.
"Which one," Russ joked back. They had all taken some pretty bad hits in the first two periods.
Like Wilson, Bombay had also followed his skaters into the locker room but he didn't start yelling at his players. Instead he made his way over to Adam Banks.
"Take your right skate off," Bombay told Adam. The right ankle had been the one that Riley had hooked to take Adam down earlier in the second period.
"Coach I'm fine," Adam said protesting despite the slight ache in his ankle. He had skated in more pain than this as a Hawk and he didn't want Bombay to take him out of the game.
"I want to see that ankle before I let you back out on the ice," Bombay said not backing down.
With a sigh Adam started unlacing his right skate. He took the skate and sock off and let Bombay examine the ankle. There was no bruising but the inside of the ankle looked slightly swollen to Gordon.
"Are you sure its not bothering you," Gordon said searching Adam's eyes for the truth.
"Not really," Adam said not completely lying to his coach but not exactly telling the truth either.
Gordon could read the determination in Adam's eyes. He was determined to finish out this game against the varsity. Around them the rest of the Ducks all looked on expectantly waiting to see what Bombay would decide.
"Okay," Gordon said deciding to Adam play the third period. Around him the other Ducks let out a sigh of relief. If Adam didn't play they knew they didn't stand a chance. Bombay had Fulton hand him a roll of sports tape and Bombay tapped Adam's ankle to give it a little more support. Around him the others talked quietly about the game. When Bombay was done he stood up. As Adam put his skate back on Bombay addressed his team.
"You guys are doing great out there. You're holding you own against the Varsity and that is all I can ask of you guys. I'm proud of you guys. But I don't want you to let down in this last period either. Keep digging. Concentrate and keeping them from scoring. To them a tie is just as bad as a loss. If you see an opportunity to score take it but don't get careless out there."
Bombay glanced around the locker room at all of his skaters. They all nodded understanding at his words. Everyone in the locker room wanted to win this game if possible but they also knew that a tie would be much better than a loss. They had managed to catch the Varsity after they had taken the lead in the first period. Both teams were tired but Varsity could hit harder. The Ducks all knew that maintaining the ground they had gained needed to be their first priority.
The Ducks were the first team to return to the ice after the between period break. As they stepped confidently out on the ice the arena exploded with cheers from their fans. Adam, Charlie, Guy, Portman, Goldberg and Julie stayed out on the ice to start the period as the rest of the Ducks headed over to the bench to join Bombay.
The cheers for as the Varsity team stepped back out onto the ice were just as loud as they had been for the Ducks. The Warriors however, didn't look quite as confident. The JV team had made fools of them once and seemed to be on their way to doing it again.
The Warriors not starting the game joined Coach Wilson in the player's box. Riley skated to center ice to face Banks in the face off.
"Back for more, squirt," Riley said to Banks as they took their places.
Adam didn't say a word just stared at Riley more determined than ever to beat Riley in the face off.
The ref blew his whistle and dropped the puck in between the two players. Adam immediately batted the puck back to Portman on defense and then knocked Riley to the ice. Riley fell on his backside stunned at being out powered on the face off. Adam stepped around the stunned Riley and joined his team on the attack of the Warriors goal.
Before the varsity could get the puck off of the Ducks Charlie, Adam, and Guy took several shots at the goal but Scooter was able to keep them from going into the goal. He finally caught the puck that Guy had shot at the net. Scooter dropped it on the ice and passed it off to Kilpatrick who headed out of the Warriors defense zone with it.
For most of the period the Ducks and the Warriors traded off possession of the puck. There were a few offside penalties called on both teams resulting in face offs but other than that the third period was constant play. With about four minutes left in the period the ref called a minor penalty on Portman for cross-checking.
With Portman in the penalty box the Warriors were able to get control of the puck and get it down into the Ducks defense zone. Try as they may, the Ducks were unable to get the puck out of their defense zone. Finally, as Adam went behind the net to pick up the lose puck Charlie called to him, "Banks, ice the puck." With the Ducks skating one player down icing the puck was a valid defensive play.
Coming around the net Adam hit the puck as hard as he could and sent it sailing across the ice. The ice sailed past all of the skaters on the ice on both teams and headed toward the Warriors goal. The arena was silent as all eyes watched the lone puck slide toward the Warriors' goal. As the puck slid past Scooter and his failed attempt to stop the puck the arena broke out with wild cheering. At the other end of the ice Adam Banks stood in disbelief staring at the puck in the Warriors net. For the first time during the game that night the Ducks had pulled ahead.
"Way to go, Preppie," Charlie said enthusiastically as he skated up and congratulated his teammate. The other Ducks on the ice weren't far behind Charlie.
"I can't believe it actually went in," Adam finally said.
"Believe it man. We're now in the lead," Russ told him.
"Lucky shot," Riley said skating by the gathered Ducks.
"Sometimes its better to be lucky than good," Averman called.
The referee was signaling for the Ducks to get ready for the next face off. Charlie took the face off and beat Riley to the puck. Charlie sent the puck over to Adam who instead of attempting to score simply concentrated on keeping the puck away from the Warriors. When he saw Cole coming at him Adam passed the puck back to Charlie. Charlie got the drop pass as Cole knocked Adam to the ice.
Portman's penalty was soon up and he rejoined his team for the final few minutes of the game. Try as they may the Warriors could not get the puck off of the Ducks. At one point Cole had Adam lined up while Adam was concentrating on Riley. However, before he could reach him Portman put himself between Cole and Adam and sent Cole down to the ice. Meanwhile Adam used a spin move to get around Riley and then sent a flip pass to Guy who was open. Guy circled around a couple of Warriors and then sent the puck over to Charlie. Charlie skater further down into the Warrior defense zone as time ran out and the buzzer sounded ending the game.
Charlie let the puck slide slowly over to the boards and put his arms up in triumph. The Ducks had managed to beat the Varsity again. The crowd went wild. Over at the varsity Bench the Warriors hung their heads in defeat. Riley, Cole and a couple others on the ice stormed off the ice and into the locker room. Without a word to his players, Coach Wilson stepped out of the player's box. On his way pass the JV box he paused and said to Gordon who was still there, "Good game Coach Bombay. Your skaters played well."
"Thank you," Bombay said as Wilson continued on his way. Bombay looked back to his team that was celebrating on the ice. He had a great group of skaters and they had made him proud tonight even if that last goal had been scored by pure luck. They still had played hard and deserved the win.
On the ice the remaining varsity players lined up to congratulate the Ducks on their win. Scooter was at the end of the line for the Varsity and as he went by Julie he gave her a quick congratulatory kiss on the cheek. Julie looked at Scooter with a smile on her face. She had been afraid that this rematch might put strain on their blossoming relationship. From the looks of thing she had nothing to fear.
Scooter continued down the line of Ducks congratulating each one. The last skater in the Duck line was Adam. "Good game, Adam. Way to hang in tough. Despite all that happened you ended up on the better team."
"Thanks," Adam said. By this time the rest of the Warriors had started to leave the ice but the Ducks were hanging around to see what else Scooter had to say.
"And no matter what Riley said," Scooter continued, "you do have the heart of a Warrior." There was a slight pause and then Scooter said "and the soul of a Duck."
Around them the Ducks cheered at Scooters final words. Adam was smiling. He didn't know what to say to Scooter. He knew that he had won respect from at least one of the varsity skaters and maybe that was all that was important.
Scooter headed off the ice to let the Ducks celebrate their win. By this time family members of the skaters had started spilling out onto the ice to congratulate the skaters. Casey found Charlie and gave him a quick hug. Charlie then turned to find Linda standing behind him.
"Congratulations," Linda said with a huge smile on her face. "I have to say I'm proud to say that I'm dating the Captain of the Eden Hall Ducks."
"And I'm lucky to be dating the pretty girl at school," Charlie told her as he hugged her. Afterwards Charlie turned around looking for his mom so that he could introduce Linda to her, something that had never quite happened after the first game. As he scanned the mob on the ice he finally spotted her. Charlie smiled as he watched his mom and his Coach share a quick embrace and then Gordon kissed Casey on the cheek.
'Maybe Eden Hall isn't going to be so bad after all' Charlie thought to himself with a smile.
Note: I hope you have enjoyed the story. Don't worry I do have plans for a sequel but it may be a little bit before I get it started (I have a fanfic in another category that is started but has been ignored while working on this one). Thanks to everyone who reviewed I really appreciated it and hope you will read and review the next Duck story. And just so you know I've played ice hockey once and it was very informal (no pads or helmets which meant no checking) so most of the rules and terms I used to create the games in this story I have the world book encyclopedia to thank so if something is wrong blame the encyclopedia. Lol!
Nellie2: So is varsity in trouble or not? At the very least spare Scooter. Anne918: Hope you enjoyed the rest of the game and the outcome. crazy4nc128: I promise to explore the Casey/Gordon relationship more in the next story. I just thought I'd get things started in this one. And your right Adam is the best.
They were right. Wilson let the door shut behind him and then let the binder he was carrying with him drop to the floor with a bang. All of the Warriors jumped at the sound.
"What do you guys think you are doing out there?" Wilson screamed not really wanting an answer. He got one anyway.
"Um, I thought we were playing hockey," Kilbourne said sarcastically which only added fuel to the fire.
"You could of fooled me," Wilson shot back at him angrily. "You guys are letting these freshman make fools out of you again. Hell that last period you guys let Banks skate circles around you and he didn't play half the season. And you," he added looking directly at Riley. "What the hell were you thinking with that stupid stunt you pulled tripping Banks. You guys could have still been two points up on them if it weren't for that little stunt. And your lucky the ref didn't throw you out of the game completely. I'd do it myself if it weren't for the fact that you guys are not doing well out there."
"It was an accident," Riley said trying to look offended at the implication that he would do something like that on purpose.
"Like hell it was," Scooter shot back from his place on the bench.
"Are you calling me a liar, Scott?" Riley asked turning to look at Scooter with anger in his eyes.
"Yes I guess I am,"Scooter replied easily.
"Look goalie, no one calls Riley a liar and gets away with it," Cole said standing up and taking a step toward Scooter who stood up to meet Cole's challenge.
"Cut it out before I bench all three of you," Wilson yelled stopping everyone in place where they were. Wilson waited for Scooter and Cole to sit back down before he continued. "I don't want to see any more stunts like that one out there. That goes for everyone. Giving them a power play is defeating yourself and at this point they don't need your help to win."
"I want to see some real hockey played out there this last period guys. There is no reason they should be able to score one more goal. I want you to play hard and if you happen to take one of them out so be it but make damn sure it's a legal check. Do you understand me."
All heads nodded. They all knew not to say anything even Kilbourne who had to struggle to keep from saying some sarcastic comment. Without saying anything else Coach Wilson stormed out of the locker room leaving a stunned varsity team in his wake.
Over in the JV locker room things were a little more upbeat. Though bruised and tired the Ducks were happy to have tied the game. Though all their fans and supporters were expecting another win the Ducks knew that their Coach would be satisfied with an tie and after the mockery the varsity team had made of them the first period they would too.
"Anyone get the license plate on that truck," Averman quipped as he sat down on the bench still shaken from the hit he had taken from Riley and the other Varsity skater.
"Which one," Russ joked back. They had all taken some pretty bad hits in the first two periods.
Like Wilson, Bombay had also followed his skaters into the locker room but he didn't start yelling at his players. Instead he made his way over to Adam Banks.
"Take your right skate off," Bombay told Adam. The right ankle had been the one that Riley had hooked to take Adam down earlier in the second period.
"Coach I'm fine," Adam said protesting despite the slight ache in his ankle. He had skated in more pain than this as a Hawk and he didn't want Bombay to take him out of the game.
"I want to see that ankle before I let you back out on the ice," Bombay said not backing down.
With a sigh Adam started unlacing his right skate. He took the skate and sock off and let Bombay examine the ankle. There was no bruising but the inside of the ankle looked slightly swollen to Gordon.
"Are you sure its not bothering you," Gordon said searching Adam's eyes for the truth.
"Not really," Adam said not completely lying to his coach but not exactly telling the truth either.
Gordon could read the determination in Adam's eyes. He was determined to finish out this game against the varsity. Around them the rest of the Ducks all looked on expectantly waiting to see what Bombay would decide.
"Okay," Gordon said deciding to Adam play the third period. Around him the other Ducks let out a sigh of relief. If Adam didn't play they knew they didn't stand a chance. Bombay had Fulton hand him a roll of sports tape and Bombay tapped Adam's ankle to give it a little more support. Around him the others talked quietly about the game. When Bombay was done he stood up. As Adam put his skate back on Bombay addressed his team.
"You guys are doing great out there. You're holding you own against the Varsity and that is all I can ask of you guys. I'm proud of you guys. But I don't want you to let down in this last period either. Keep digging. Concentrate and keeping them from scoring. To them a tie is just as bad as a loss. If you see an opportunity to score take it but don't get careless out there."
Bombay glanced around the locker room at all of his skaters. They all nodded understanding at his words. Everyone in the locker room wanted to win this game if possible but they also knew that a tie would be much better than a loss. They had managed to catch the Varsity after they had taken the lead in the first period. Both teams were tired but Varsity could hit harder. The Ducks all knew that maintaining the ground they had gained needed to be their first priority.
The Ducks were the first team to return to the ice after the between period break. As they stepped confidently out on the ice the arena exploded with cheers from their fans. Adam, Charlie, Guy, Portman, Goldberg and Julie stayed out on the ice to start the period as the rest of the Ducks headed over to the bench to join Bombay.
The cheers for as the Varsity team stepped back out onto the ice were just as loud as they had been for the Ducks. The Warriors however, didn't look quite as confident. The JV team had made fools of them once and seemed to be on their way to doing it again.
The Warriors not starting the game joined Coach Wilson in the player's box. Riley skated to center ice to face Banks in the face off.
"Back for more, squirt," Riley said to Banks as they took their places.
Adam didn't say a word just stared at Riley more determined than ever to beat Riley in the face off.
The ref blew his whistle and dropped the puck in between the two players. Adam immediately batted the puck back to Portman on defense and then knocked Riley to the ice. Riley fell on his backside stunned at being out powered on the face off. Adam stepped around the stunned Riley and joined his team on the attack of the Warriors goal.
Before the varsity could get the puck off of the Ducks Charlie, Adam, and Guy took several shots at the goal but Scooter was able to keep them from going into the goal. He finally caught the puck that Guy had shot at the net. Scooter dropped it on the ice and passed it off to Kilpatrick who headed out of the Warriors defense zone with it.
For most of the period the Ducks and the Warriors traded off possession of the puck. There were a few offside penalties called on both teams resulting in face offs but other than that the third period was constant play. With about four minutes left in the period the ref called a minor penalty on Portman for cross-checking.
With Portman in the penalty box the Warriors were able to get control of the puck and get it down into the Ducks defense zone. Try as they may, the Ducks were unable to get the puck out of their defense zone. Finally, as Adam went behind the net to pick up the lose puck Charlie called to him, "Banks, ice the puck." With the Ducks skating one player down icing the puck was a valid defensive play.
Coming around the net Adam hit the puck as hard as he could and sent it sailing across the ice. The ice sailed past all of the skaters on the ice on both teams and headed toward the Warriors goal. The arena was silent as all eyes watched the lone puck slide toward the Warriors' goal. As the puck slid past Scooter and his failed attempt to stop the puck the arena broke out with wild cheering. At the other end of the ice Adam Banks stood in disbelief staring at the puck in the Warriors net. For the first time during the game that night the Ducks had pulled ahead.
"Way to go, Preppie," Charlie said enthusiastically as he skated up and congratulated his teammate. The other Ducks on the ice weren't far behind Charlie.
"I can't believe it actually went in," Adam finally said.
"Believe it man. We're now in the lead," Russ told him.
"Lucky shot," Riley said skating by the gathered Ducks.
"Sometimes its better to be lucky than good," Averman called.
The referee was signaling for the Ducks to get ready for the next face off. Charlie took the face off and beat Riley to the puck. Charlie sent the puck over to Adam who instead of attempting to score simply concentrated on keeping the puck away from the Warriors. When he saw Cole coming at him Adam passed the puck back to Charlie. Charlie got the drop pass as Cole knocked Adam to the ice.
Portman's penalty was soon up and he rejoined his team for the final few minutes of the game. Try as they may the Warriors could not get the puck off of the Ducks. At one point Cole had Adam lined up while Adam was concentrating on Riley. However, before he could reach him Portman put himself between Cole and Adam and sent Cole down to the ice. Meanwhile Adam used a spin move to get around Riley and then sent a flip pass to Guy who was open. Guy circled around a couple of Warriors and then sent the puck over to Charlie. Charlie skater further down into the Warrior defense zone as time ran out and the buzzer sounded ending the game.
Charlie let the puck slide slowly over to the boards and put his arms up in triumph. The Ducks had managed to beat the Varsity again. The crowd went wild. Over at the varsity Bench the Warriors hung their heads in defeat. Riley, Cole and a couple others on the ice stormed off the ice and into the locker room. Without a word to his players, Coach Wilson stepped out of the player's box. On his way pass the JV box he paused and said to Gordon who was still there, "Good game Coach Bombay. Your skaters played well."
"Thank you," Bombay said as Wilson continued on his way. Bombay looked back to his team that was celebrating on the ice. He had a great group of skaters and they had made him proud tonight even if that last goal had been scored by pure luck. They still had played hard and deserved the win.
On the ice the remaining varsity players lined up to congratulate the Ducks on their win. Scooter was at the end of the line for the Varsity and as he went by Julie he gave her a quick congratulatory kiss on the cheek. Julie looked at Scooter with a smile on her face. She had been afraid that this rematch might put strain on their blossoming relationship. From the looks of thing she had nothing to fear.
Scooter continued down the line of Ducks congratulating each one. The last skater in the Duck line was Adam. "Good game, Adam. Way to hang in tough. Despite all that happened you ended up on the better team."
"Thanks," Adam said. By this time the rest of the Warriors had started to leave the ice but the Ducks were hanging around to see what else Scooter had to say.
"And no matter what Riley said," Scooter continued, "you do have the heart of a Warrior." There was a slight pause and then Scooter said "and the soul of a Duck."
Around them the Ducks cheered at Scooters final words. Adam was smiling. He didn't know what to say to Scooter. He knew that he had won respect from at least one of the varsity skaters and maybe that was all that was important.
Scooter headed off the ice to let the Ducks celebrate their win. By this time family members of the skaters had started spilling out onto the ice to congratulate the skaters. Casey found Charlie and gave him a quick hug. Charlie then turned to find Linda standing behind him.
"Congratulations," Linda said with a huge smile on her face. "I have to say I'm proud to say that I'm dating the Captain of the Eden Hall Ducks."
"And I'm lucky to be dating the pretty girl at school," Charlie told her as he hugged her. Afterwards Charlie turned around looking for his mom so that he could introduce Linda to her, something that had never quite happened after the first game. As he scanned the mob on the ice he finally spotted her. Charlie smiled as he watched his mom and his Coach share a quick embrace and then Gordon kissed Casey on the cheek.
'Maybe Eden Hall isn't going to be so bad after all' Charlie thought to himself with a smile.
Note: I hope you have enjoyed the story. Don't worry I do have plans for a sequel but it may be a little bit before I get it started (I have a fanfic in another category that is started but has been ignored while working on this one). Thanks to everyone who reviewed I really appreciated it and hope you will read and review the next Duck story. And just so you know I've played ice hockey once and it was very informal (no pads or helmets which meant no checking) so most of the rules and terms I used to create the games in this story I have the world book encyclopedia to thank so if something is wrong blame the encyclopedia. Lol!
Nellie2: So is varsity in trouble or not? At the very least spare Scooter. Anne918: Hope you enjoyed the rest of the game and the outcome. crazy4nc128: I promise to explore the Casey/Gordon relationship more in the next story. I just thought I'd get things started in this one. And your right Adam is the best.