That night the Ducks all went to the varsity game together. Varsity
fared no better in their game against the Sutton Academy Rams than JV had
in their game. At the end of the thrid period the score was four to two in
favor of the Rams. For the first time in a long time the Eden Hall Varsity
were not the state champions.
"They don't look too happy do they," Averman said as JV watched Varsity head to the locker room after the game.
"Riley's Dad isn't going to be all that happy either," Charlie commented. He couldn't help but feel a little smug that varsity had lost after all the grief Riley, Cole and all their buddies had given the Ducks this semester.
"This might not be good for us guys," Russ commented. "We have to play them Monday night and they aren't going to be happy after this loss."
The Ducks got quiet. The JV/Varsity rematch was scheduled for Monday. With both teams having lost their final games of playoffs both teams were going to hungry for a win.
"How does practice at two tomorrow sound guys?" Charlie said as he considered Russ's words. He wanted to beat Varsity again.
"Think Coach Bombay will go for it?" Fulton asked.
"Even if he doesn't we can still practice on our own," Connie said.
"Connie's right although I will try and get Coach Bombay to come," Charlie said. "So what do you guys say? You all up for practice?"
He looked around at his teammates who all slowly nodded their heads. They all wanted to beat varsity and were more than willing to give up their Sunday afternoon to do it.
Monday evening came quickly. Most of the Ducks gathered in their locker room earlier than they had to. None of them were in a hurry to get ready they had just wanted to escape their peers. The JV/Varsity game was the talk of the campus and kids had been asking the Ducks if they thought they were going to beat varsity again.
As Guy and Connie walked into the locker room, Guy looked around and saw that the only Ducks not yet there were Charlie and Julie.
"And here we thought we were going to be early," Guy commented as he and Connie took a seat next to Adam.
"Are you kidding, it's a three ring circus on campus," Averman said. "Every time I turned around someone was asking me about the game tonight."
"Yeah at least its quiet in here," Goldberg said.
"This is making no sense," Luis said from his seat in the corner. Ken was trying to help him with pre-algebra but they weren't getting to far.
"Sure it does. If x equals ten and x times y is forty than y equals..." Ken said.
"Who cares," was Luis answer. He slammed his math book shut as Connie said "Four," from her seat on the bench.
"What?" Guy asked her.\
"The answer. Y equals four," Connie said.
"Is she right?" Luis asked as Ken grabbed the book out of his hands and started looking at the answer key in the back of the book.
"Yeah she is," Ken said.
"Great. Connie can do my math homework for me."
"Not a chance," Connie told him. "I hate math. Doing mine is bad enough."
"Worth a try," Luis said.
"I thought girls couldn't do math," Portman commented from where he was leaning up against some of the lockers.
"Watch it Portman," Connie said getting defensive.
"It was just a comment," Portman said putting his hands in the air in surrender. Not that he was afraid of Connie but he knew most of the others, even Fulton, would back Connie.
"You're awfully quiet Preppie," Russ said trying to change the direction of the locker room discussion. He didn't get any response from Adam.
"Hey Banks," Guy said from his spot beside Adam. When he still didn't get a answer he started waving his hand in front of Adam's face.
"Yeah, what," Adam said coming out of the daze that he was in.
"What's up Banks. You're zoning out on us man," Fulton said from his place beside Portman.
"Sorry, I guess I was just thinking about things."
"You going to tell us?" Guy asked.
"Yeah, talking about things helps," Connie said.
"I guess I'm just nervous about this game tonight guys. What if they're out to get me. I mean I played against them in the first match and then went back to skating with them. Now I'm going up against them again. Last time I skated against a former team in an official game the outcome wasn't so good," Adam said thinking about his first game against the Hawks and the treatment he had received from his former teammates and so called friends.
Everyone was quiet. Connie, Guy, Averman, Goldberg, and Fulton all knew exactly what Adam was referring too. Russ, Dwayne, Luis Portman, and Ken had no clue. They had never been a part of the team in the peewee leagues. To them Adam had always been one of the orginal ducks because he had already been a part of the team when they had joined right before the Junior Goodwill Games. They all knew that something had gone on between Adam and the other Ducks before then but no one had volunteered details and none of them had asked questions. Now it was Russ who ventured to ask one that he knew Portman, Luis, Dwayne and Ken were thinking too.
"What happened?" Russ asked breaking the silence that had fallen over the group.
"It was the final game of the state Championships," Guy began when none of the others ventured to answer Russ' question. "Adam had only recently joined our team because Coach Bombay had figured out that the new district lines put Adam's house in our district not the Hawks' district. I'm not sure any of us completely trusted Banks yet at that game even though he was the only reason we had gotten that far." Guy paused a moment and looked around. He saw Connie, Fulton, Averman, and Goldberg all nodding in agreement to Guy's last statement.
"We were losing," Guy continued, "When Adam got a breakaway and was on his way to scoring a goal against the Hawks. McGill, one of the Hawks, knocked Adam done from behind as he went to shoot the puck. The puck went in but Adam hit his head on the goal when he went down and was briefly knocked unconscious. He was out of the rest of the game with a mild concussion."
"After that he was one of us for sure," Connie said.
"After that we were more determined than ever to win that game," Fulton said.
There was silence in the locker room again. Then another voice spoke. One they weren't expecting.
"If you don't want to skate tonight we'll understand," they heard Coach Bombay say from the door to the locker room and all eyes turned that way to find Bombay, Julie and Charlie standing just inside the door. They had all entered not long after Guy had begun the story even though no one had noticed. The other Ducks all nodded silently at their Coach's words. They all looked at Adam expectantly.
"I don't know.." Adam started saying and then his voice drifted off.
"Okay here's what I'm going to do," Bombay said. "I'm taking you off the starting line-up. Suit up and if you want to skate just let me know but I'm not going to put you in tonight unless you're sure that you want to skate against these guys because they probably are going to be out for you more so than the others and not just because you're not skating with them but also because you are this teams best skater."
Adam nodded at Bombay's words.
"Okay, everyone listen up. I want you all to be careful out there tonight. These guys are pout to win tonight. They haven't lost to the JV team or lost a state championship in quite a long time and both of those things have happened this season. They want to win this rematch. They are going to play hard and rough and probably not exactly fair but whatever they do I want you guys to remember one thing. You're Ducks and Ducks don't play that kind of hockey. I want you guys to play hard but play by the rules. You may win and you may not but no matter what the outcome remember one thing - I am proud of each and everyone of you. All I ask is that you guys go out their and play your best."
Gordon paused to let his words sink in to his players.
"Okay, now get suited up and I'll see you guys and girls on the ice."
The locker room was quiet as the Ducks got ready for the game. Each one of them knew that this game was probably one of the most important games they had ever played. This game wasn't for a championship or a gold medal. This game was for pride.
The arena was once again packed as the two teams took the ice for the rematch. The only thing that was different from the last game was the coach at the JV bench. Instead of Ted Orion in his suit, Gordon Bombay in jeans and his black and yellow Ducks jacket.
At the start of the game Charlie took center ice against Rick Riley. As the whistle blew Riley knocked Charlie down and took control of the puck. He didn't get far with it though as Portman came up from his spot on defense and immediately sent Riley down. Portman batted the puck over to Russ who crossed the center line with it. Russ passed the puck off to Guy as Kilpatrick came at him. Guy had the puck for all of two seconds when he was sent down to the ice by Cole.
The puck went sailing free only to be picked up by Charlie by the Warriors blue line. Charlie tried to duck between the two warriors who converged on him but got caught between them. Scooter got control of the puck and passed it off to Cole who headed down ice with it toward the Ducks Zone. Portaman checked Cole as he approached the center line but not before Cole was able to pass the puck back to Riley who continued the charge toward the Ducks goal. Averman tried to stop Riley's progress to the goal but Riley faked one way and once Averman committed to that direction ducked around him on the other side. Riley took a shot at the goal only to have the puck deflected by Julie.
Averman picked the rebound up and passed it up ice to Guy. As soon as Guy got the puck though he was slammed into the boards by Cole. Cole batted the puck back down ice to Riley who took another shot at the Ducks goal and scored.
The rest of the first period did not go well for the Ducks. The varsity was once again out to prove who could hit harder and the Ducks were taking a beating. By the end of the first period the score was three to zero in favor of the warriors.
The beginning of the second period didn't go much better. The warriors quickly scored a fourth goal padding their lead. On the bench Adam could see that his team needed him.
"Coach I'm ready to go in," Adam said as Julie stopped the puck from entering the goal and passed it off to Ken.
"Are you sure?" Bombay asked. The varsity was giving the JV team a beating as it was. There was no doubt in Gordon's mind that they would be after Banks twice as much. But he also knew that if they were to have any shot of winning this game they needed Banks out there. When Adam nodded Bombay said, "Okay Banks, Dwayne, Fulton you're in."
Banks, Dwayne and Fulton hopped over the boards as Averman, Portman, and Guy came off the ice. It wasn't long before Banks was able to intercept a pass meant for Riley. Adam immediately passed the puck off to Dwayne. With his amazing stick handling skills Dwayne headed up ice with the puck followed closely by Banks and Conway. Just past the Warrior blue line Dwayne passed the puck back to Charlie who took a shot at the goal. Scooter blocked the shot with his stick but Adam was able to get the puck on a rebound and shoot again. This time the puck went past Scooter and the Ducks had their first goal of the game.
Charlie let Adam take the next face off and although Riley knocked him down Adam was able to first send the puck over to Charlie on the right wing. Charlie dodged a Warrior skater and took the puck into the Warrior defense zone. Charlie then sent the puck back to Adam who had gotten back to his feet as the Warriors second defense man checked Charlie and sent him down to the ice.
Now with the puck Adam headed down toward the Warriors goal. Riley was the closest Warrior too him and he was still behind him. The only thing that stood between Adam and a second goal was Scooter. And then Riley hooked Adam's ankle with his stick sending down to the ice and sliding toward the goal. Instead of hitting the goal though this time Adam slid into the goalie.
As the referee blew his whistle Scooter got to his feet and then helped Adam to his feet.
"That was totally uncalled for," Scooter yelled at Riley as Adam picked his stick up off the ice.
"It was an accident," Riley said with a shrug and a smile on his face.
Adam looked at Riley in anger. The only thing that kept him from going after Riley was the fact that Scooter was standing in between them. As the referee called a penalty on Riley and a penalty shot for he Ducks, the Ducks who were on the ice came up to check on Adam who assured them that he was fine.
Adam took the penalty shot scoring a second goal for the Ducks. With Riley now in the penalty box the Ducks had a power play. They took advantage of the extra skater and Charlie was able to get the puck past Scooter and into the goal bringing the score to four to three still in favor of the Warriors.
Riley was still in the box for the next face off. Averman took the face off against Kilbourne. After some noise of sticks hitting one another the puck was finally sent free in the direction of Portman on left wing. Portman charged up the side with it until Cole slammed him against the boards. As Portman's forward momentum stopped the pucks didn't and it went sliding further into the Warriors defense zone. One of the warriors defense picked the puck up and headed back toward the Ducks end of the ice. Approaching the warriors blue line he passed the puck off to Riley who was just coming out of the penalty box. Riley got the puck and headed across the center line with it.
It was Dwayne who picked Riley up as he skated backwards in front of Riley looking for an opportunity to steal the puck away. Riley faked to the left and then went right but Dwayne didn't fall for it. As Riley tried to get around him on the right Dwayne was able to knock the puck away from Riley. Connie picked the free puck up and headed back down ice toward the Warriors' goal. Crossing the center line she passed it back to Averman and then moved around the defending Warriors.
Now with the puck Averman headed down past the blue line. He saw the one Warrior approaching in the front and passed the puck back to Connie. As the puck slid across the ice toward Connie Averman was caught in between the Warrior player he had seen and Riley who was approaching from behind.
Connie got the puck that had been passed to her and headed for the goal. She lined up the shot and sent the puck flying toward the goal. She held her breath as she watched the puck fly just above Scooter's glove and into the net. Dwayne and Portman congratulated Connie on her goal as Averman slowly got to his feet and headed for the teams bench.
Though both teams tried hard no other goals were scored in the second period. The two teams headed for the locker room for the break between the second and third periods. The score was tied at four to four. Coach Wilson did not look happy as he followed his Warriors into the locker room.
"They don't look too happy do they," Averman said as JV watched Varsity head to the locker room after the game.
"Riley's Dad isn't going to be all that happy either," Charlie commented. He couldn't help but feel a little smug that varsity had lost after all the grief Riley, Cole and all their buddies had given the Ducks this semester.
"This might not be good for us guys," Russ commented. "We have to play them Monday night and they aren't going to be happy after this loss."
The Ducks got quiet. The JV/Varsity rematch was scheduled for Monday. With both teams having lost their final games of playoffs both teams were going to hungry for a win.
"How does practice at two tomorrow sound guys?" Charlie said as he considered Russ's words. He wanted to beat Varsity again.
"Think Coach Bombay will go for it?" Fulton asked.
"Even if he doesn't we can still practice on our own," Connie said.
"Connie's right although I will try and get Coach Bombay to come," Charlie said. "So what do you guys say? You all up for practice?"
He looked around at his teammates who all slowly nodded their heads. They all wanted to beat varsity and were more than willing to give up their Sunday afternoon to do it.
Monday evening came quickly. Most of the Ducks gathered in their locker room earlier than they had to. None of them were in a hurry to get ready they had just wanted to escape their peers. The JV/Varsity game was the talk of the campus and kids had been asking the Ducks if they thought they were going to beat varsity again.
As Guy and Connie walked into the locker room, Guy looked around and saw that the only Ducks not yet there were Charlie and Julie.
"And here we thought we were going to be early," Guy commented as he and Connie took a seat next to Adam.
"Are you kidding, it's a three ring circus on campus," Averman said. "Every time I turned around someone was asking me about the game tonight."
"Yeah at least its quiet in here," Goldberg said.
"This is making no sense," Luis said from his seat in the corner. Ken was trying to help him with pre-algebra but they weren't getting to far.
"Sure it does. If x equals ten and x times y is forty than y equals..." Ken said.
"Who cares," was Luis answer. He slammed his math book shut as Connie said "Four," from her seat on the bench.
"What?" Guy asked her.\
"The answer. Y equals four," Connie said.
"Is she right?" Luis asked as Ken grabbed the book out of his hands and started looking at the answer key in the back of the book.
"Yeah she is," Ken said.
"Great. Connie can do my math homework for me."
"Not a chance," Connie told him. "I hate math. Doing mine is bad enough."
"Worth a try," Luis said.
"I thought girls couldn't do math," Portman commented from where he was leaning up against some of the lockers.
"Watch it Portman," Connie said getting defensive.
"It was just a comment," Portman said putting his hands in the air in surrender. Not that he was afraid of Connie but he knew most of the others, even Fulton, would back Connie.
"You're awfully quiet Preppie," Russ said trying to change the direction of the locker room discussion. He didn't get any response from Adam.
"Hey Banks," Guy said from his spot beside Adam. When he still didn't get a answer he started waving his hand in front of Adam's face.
"Yeah, what," Adam said coming out of the daze that he was in.
"What's up Banks. You're zoning out on us man," Fulton said from his place beside Portman.
"Sorry, I guess I was just thinking about things."
"You going to tell us?" Guy asked.
"Yeah, talking about things helps," Connie said.
"I guess I'm just nervous about this game tonight guys. What if they're out to get me. I mean I played against them in the first match and then went back to skating with them. Now I'm going up against them again. Last time I skated against a former team in an official game the outcome wasn't so good," Adam said thinking about his first game against the Hawks and the treatment he had received from his former teammates and so called friends.
Everyone was quiet. Connie, Guy, Averman, Goldberg, and Fulton all knew exactly what Adam was referring too. Russ, Dwayne, Luis Portman, and Ken had no clue. They had never been a part of the team in the peewee leagues. To them Adam had always been one of the orginal ducks because he had already been a part of the team when they had joined right before the Junior Goodwill Games. They all knew that something had gone on between Adam and the other Ducks before then but no one had volunteered details and none of them had asked questions. Now it was Russ who ventured to ask one that he knew Portman, Luis, Dwayne and Ken were thinking too.
"What happened?" Russ asked breaking the silence that had fallen over the group.
"It was the final game of the state Championships," Guy began when none of the others ventured to answer Russ' question. "Adam had only recently joined our team because Coach Bombay had figured out that the new district lines put Adam's house in our district not the Hawks' district. I'm not sure any of us completely trusted Banks yet at that game even though he was the only reason we had gotten that far." Guy paused a moment and looked around. He saw Connie, Fulton, Averman, and Goldberg all nodding in agreement to Guy's last statement.
"We were losing," Guy continued, "When Adam got a breakaway and was on his way to scoring a goal against the Hawks. McGill, one of the Hawks, knocked Adam done from behind as he went to shoot the puck. The puck went in but Adam hit his head on the goal when he went down and was briefly knocked unconscious. He was out of the rest of the game with a mild concussion."
"After that he was one of us for sure," Connie said.
"After that we were more determined than ever to win that game," Fulton said.
There was silence in the locker room again. Then another voice spoke. One they weren't expecting.
"If you don't want to skate tonight we'll understand," they heard Coach Bombay say from the door to the locker room and all eyes turned that way to find Bombay, Julie and Charlie standing just inside the door. They had all entered not long after Guy had begun the story even though no one had noticed. The other Ducks all nodded silently at their Coach's words. They all looked at Adam expectantly.
"I don't know.." Adam started saying and then his voice drifted off.
"Okay here's what I'm going to do," Bombay said. "I'm taking you off the starting line-up. Suit up and if you want to skate just let me know but I'm not going to put you in tonight unless you're sure that you want to skate against these guys because they probably are going to be out for you more so than the others and not just because you're not skating with them but also because you are this teams best skater."
Adam nodded at Bombay's words.
"Okay, everyone listen up. I want you all to be careful out there tonight. These guys are pout to win tonight. They haven't lost to the JV team or lost a state championship in quite a long time and both of those things have happened this season. They want to win this rematch. They are going to play hard and rough and probably not exactly fair but whatever they do I want you guys to remember one thing. You're Ducks and Ducks don't play that kind of hockey. I want you guys to play hard but play by the rules. You may win and you may not but no matter what the outcome remember one thing - I am proud of each and everyone of you. All I ask is that you guys go out their and play your best."
Gordon paused to let his words sink in to his players.
"Okay, now get suited up and I'll see you guys and girls on the ice."
The locker room was quiet as the Ducks got ready for the game. Each one of them knew that this game was probably one of the most important games they had ever played. This game wasn't for a championship or a gold medal. This game was for pride.
The arena was once again packed as the two teams took the ice for the rematch. The only thing that was different from the last game was the coach at the JV bench. Instead of Ted Orion in his suit, Gordon Bombay in jeans and his black and yellow Ducks jacket.
At the start of the game Charlie took center ice against Rick Riley. As the whistle blew Riley knocked Charlie down and took control of the puck. He didn't get far with it though as Portman came up from his spot on defense and immediately sent Riley down. Portman batted the puck over to Russ who crossed the center line with it. Russ passed the puck off to Guy as Kilpatrick came at him. Guy had the puck for all of two seconds when he was sent down to the ice by Cole.
The puck went sailing free only to be picked up by Charlie by the Warriors blue line. Charlie tried to duck between the two warriors who converged on him but got caught between them. Scooter got control of the puck and passed it off to Cole who headed down ice with it toward the Ducks Zone. Portaman checked Cole as he approached the center line but not before Cole was able to pass the puck back to Riley who continued the charge toward the Ducks goal. Averman tried to stop Riley's progress to the goal but Riley faked one way and once Averman committed to that direction ducked around him on the other side. Riley took a shot at the goal only to have the puck deflected by Julie.
Averman picked the rebound up and passed it up ice to Guy. As soon as Guy got the puck though he was slammed into the boards by Cole. Cole batted the puck back down ice to Riley who took another shot at the Ducks goal and scored.
The rest of the first period did not go well for the Ducks. The varsity was once again out to prove who could hit harder and the Ducks were taking a beating. By the end of the first period the score was three to zero in favor of the warriors.
The beginning of the second period didn't go much better. The warriors quickly scored a fourth goal padding their lead. On the bench Adam could see that his team needed him.
"Coach I'm ready to go in," Adam said as Julie stopped the puck from entering the goal and passed it off to Ken.
"Are you sure?" Bombay asked. The varsity was giving the JV team a beating as it was. There was no doubt in Gordon's mind that they would be after Banks twice as much. But he also knew that if they were to have any shot of winning this game they needed Banks out there. When Adam nodded Bombay said, "Okay Banks, Dwayne, Fulton you're in."
Banks, Dwayne and Fulton hopped over the boards as Averman, Portman, and Guy came off the ice. It wasn't long before Banks was able to intercept a pass meant for Riley. Adam immediately passed the puck off to Dwayne. With his amazing stick handling skills Dwayne headed up ice with the puck followed closely by Banks and Conway. Just past the Warrior blue line Dwayne passed the puck back to Charlie who took a shot at the goal. Scooter blocked the shot with his stick but Adam was able to get the puck on a rebound and shoot again. This time the puck went past Scooter and the Ducks had their first goal of the game.
Charlie let Adam take the next face off and although Riley knocked him down Adam was able to first send the puck over to Charlie on the right wing. Charlie dodged a Warrior skater and took the puck into the Warrior defense zone. Charlie then sent the puck back to Adam who had gotten back to his feet as the Warriors second defense man checked Charlie and sent him down to the ice.
Now with the puck Adam headed down toward the Warriors goal. Riley was the closest Warrior too him and he was still behind him. The only thing that stood between Adam and a second goal was Scooter. And then Riley hooked Adam's ankle with his stick sending down to the ice and sliding toward the goal. Instead of hitting the goal though this time Adam slid into the goalie.
As the referee blew his whistle Scooter got to his feet and then helped Adam to his feet.
"That was totally uncalled for," Scooter yelled at Riley as Adam picked his stick up off the ice.
"It was an accident," Riley said with a shrug and a smile on his face.
Adam looked at Riley in anger. The only thing that kept him from going after Riley was the fact that Scooter was standing in between them. As the referee called a penalty on Riley and a penalty shot for he Ducks, the Ducks who were on the ice came up to check on Adam who assured them that he was fine.
Adam took the penalty shot scoring a second goal for the Ducks. With Riley now in the penalty box the Ducks had a power play. They took advantage of the extra skater and Charlie was able to get the puck past Scooter and into the goal bringing the score to four to three still in favor of the Warriors.
Riley was still in the box for the next face off. Averman took the face off against Kilbourne. After some noise of sticks hitting one another the puck was finally sent free in the direction of Portman on left wing. Portman charged up the side with it until Cole slammed him against the boards. As Portman's forward momentum stopped the pucks didn't and it went sliding further into the Warriors defense zone. One of the warriors defense picked the puck up and headed back toward the Ducks end of the ice. Approaching the warriors blue line he passed the puck off to Riley who was just coming out of the penalty box. Riley got the puck and headed across the center line with it.
It was Dwayne who picked Riley up as he skated backwards in front of Riley looking for an opportunity to steal the puck away. Riley faked to the left and then went right but Dwayne didn't fall for it. As Riley tried to get around him on the right Dwayne was able to knock the puck away from Riley. Connie picked the free puck up and headed back down ice toward the Warriors' goal. Crossing the center line she passed it back to Averman and then moved around the defending Warriors.
Now with the puck Averman headed down past the blue line. He saw the one Warrior approaching in the front and passed the puck back to Connie. As the puck slid across the ice toward Connie Averman was caught in between the Warrior player he had seen and Riley who was approaching from behind.
Connie got the puck that had been passed to her and headed for the goal. She lined up the shot and sent the puck flying toward the goal. She held her breath as she watched the puck fly just above Scooter's glove and into the net. Dwayne and Portman congratulated Connie on her goal as Averman slowly got to his feet and headed for the teams bench.
Though both teams tried hard no other goals were scored in the second period. The two teams headed for the locker room for the break between the second and third periods. The score was tied at four to four. Coach Wilson did not look happy as he followed his Warriors into the locker room.