Note: Thanks to all my reviewers for the feed back. Banksiesbabe99, I put
Adam in this chapter just for you, although its at the end, and Charlie's
in this chapter too just for you C-chan96. Hope you all enjoy!
Scooter's POV:
Midway through the second period, the game was not going well for us. We were down two to zero and I don't know what happened to the team I had been coaching for the past couple of weeks. The team on the court wasn't them. They were making silly mistakes, even Julie. The two goals she had let by her should've been easy to stop.
"Conway, Lambert is open," I called out. He either didn't hear me or he was ignoring me on purpose. Either way the result was the same. Conway went to pass to Drake who had two people defending her and the puck switched hands and just like that we went from being on the offensive to being back on the defensive again.
"Please tell me I didn't just see that," I muttered.
"Okay, you didn't just see that," Alex said quietly beside me. I looked over at her. I hadn't really wanted an answer, I hadn't expected anyone to overhear me. "But you did," she finished looking up at me.
"Thanks," I told her.
I turned my attention back to the game. Jefferson Academy had the puck down by our net and it looked like they were just playing with our players. They were doing way more passes than was actually necessary. Number 44 for Jefferson Academy took a shot at the goal. Julie dived and deflected it but another Jefferson player got the puck on the rebound and the net was wide open.
"I can't watch," I said putting a hand over my eyes. I was waiting to hear the whistle signaling another score by the other team. Instead I started hearing cheering around me.
"Nice save Kilpatrick," Alex called beside me.
I opened my eyes and saw that we now had control of the puck. Whatever had happened while I was hiding my eyes was probably the best play we had made the whole day. Behind us, on the other side of the fence I could hear Adam, Jesse, and Shane cheering along with a few other kids who had come to watch the game today.
We switched some players pulling Conway and Drake out of the game. As Charlie joined us on the sideline I saw him glancing in my direction. He was probably waiting for me to say something about the botched play not to long ago. I wasn't going to though. I needed to keep these guys focused on the game not thinking about mistakes that they had already made.
Out on the court, we still had control of the puck. I however, found myself holding my breath. I was just waiting for someone to mess up. It seemed like the only thing they were good at today.
But this time the play didn't deteriorate. Everything seemed to just fall into place for us on this play. Lambert faked a shot at the net, and then passed the puck over to Germaine. Germaine got the puck and took his own shot at the goal. The goalie was still recovering from Lambert fake and the puck went by him into the net. As the referee blew his whistle I stood there in shock. I couldn't believe that we had actually scored a goal.
On the court, the team was celebrating as much as those on the sidelines were. Maybe, just maybe we had a chance at still winning this game.
"Okay, Conway, Turner and Drake you're back in," I called out trying to get my team focused on the game again. The three players who I had just called pulled there helmets back on and went out on the court as Germaine, Brown and Kilpatrick came off.
"Nice shot, Guy," I told him as he took his helmet off and grabbed a water bottle.
"Thanks," Guy said.
The whistle blew signaling the next face off. Lambert was in the center, and as the referee dropped the puck he beat the Jefferson Academy center to it. Lambert sent the puck in Conway's direction and Charlie completely missed the pass. I'm not even sure how he did it. The puck was heading right toward him and no one was anywhere near him to intercept the pass. Luckily, Averman was able to get a hold of the puck before any of the Jefferson Academy players.
"Is he doing this on purpose?" I whispered to Alex. "I have never seen him play this bad."
"I know," Alex whispered back as Charlie botched another play and Jefferson Academy got a hold of the puck. They charged our net and after a couple of shots one of them got the puck past Julie making the score three to one. I was starting to wish this game was over with.
"Conway," I called motioning him over to the sidelines as Alex sent Kilpatrick out to take Charlie's place.
Charlie's POV:
"Conway," I heard Scooter call as the other team started celebrating another goal. I couldn't believe I had made that mistake. Or the mistake on the face-off for that matter. I just couldn't keep my mind on the game today. Unfortunately my mind was else where and I think everyone was realizing that.
I looked over to where Scooter and Alex were standing on the sidelines to see Scooter motioning me off the court. I couldn't really blame him. With all the mistakes I was making today I wouldn't even want me out on the court.
I made my way over to the sidelines avoiding eye contact with my coaches and my teammates. I knew they were disappointed in me and I couldn't blame them. As I took off my helmet and leaned my hockey stick against the fence I happened to make eye contact with Adam who was watching the game.
I could see the question in his eyes. He wanted to know what was going and I had a feeling I would probably be trying to dodge him when we got back on campus. Adam was one of the last people I wanted to talk to right now.
I watched the rest of the second period from the sidelines. I couldn't help but notice that I wasn't the only one out there making mistakes. There were quite a few other mistakes being made which made me think that Scooter and Alex were signaling me out for other reasons. Probably, because of my argument with Alex, not to mention the fact that Scooter didn't want me on the team to begin with.
In the closing seconds of the game, Averman got a hold of the puck from the other team. 'He's going to mess this up,' I couldn't help but thinking as I watched him skate toward the other side of the court. He was by himself, just him and the goalie. We very well could have our second score of the game.
Everyone on our side of the court was quiet. I couldn't help but wonder if maybe they were thinking the same thing as I was. I glanced toward Scooter and Alex who were both watching intently. I had seen Scooter hiding his eyes during one of the plays earlier and was surprised he wasn't doing it again. As Averman got close to the net, he lined up and took the shot. The Jefferson Academy goalie dived toward the puck trying to stop it. The puck hit the goalie's glove and deflected toward the bar of the goal and then into the net. The whistle blew, signaling the goal and the end of the second period. Averman had actually scored.
"Way to go Averman," I called out from my spot on the sideline. Out on the court Averman just stared at the net in disbelief until Lambert and the other's on the court started congratulating him. Before long I lost track of him in the swarm of player's as most of the team that was on the sideline joined the celebration on the court. I stayed where I was. I didn't feel like joining in on the mass celebration.
"What is your problem today Conway?" I heard Scooter asked. I took my eyes off the team on the court to see Scooter walking toward me today. "I know you can play better than what I saw out there today. Are you trying to throw this game?"
Although he wasn't yelling I could tell he wasn't happy. I couldn't really blame him. I wasn't that happy with the way I was playing today either. Still, his accusation that I might be doing this on purpose made me mad.
"Is that Alex's theory or yours," I shot back not really answering his question at all.
"This has nothing to do with Alex. I don't care what the problem is between the two of you but if you're not going to go out there and try your best then you don't belong on this team," Scooter told me. I could hear the anger in his voice now. My comment probably hadn't been the smartest thing to say. I definitely didn't want to be kicked off the team now. Not after how hard I tried to get on.
"I'm sorry," I said apologizing and trying to fix any damage my earlier comment might have cause. "I guess my mind just isn't in the game today."
"Look Charlie," Scooter said his voice softening a little, " we all have bad days. It's going to happen but you can't let whatever is bothering you affect you out there. You're teammates are relying on you too much for that."
I just nodded not wanting to open my mouth. I was afraid I'd stick my foot back in it if I did.
"Hey, you two joining us," Alex called. She had the rest of the team gathered around her and was looking over at us. The rest of the team was watching us too.
"Coming," Scooter called back and started walking toward them. I silently followed. Win or lose I just wanted this day to be over with so I could go back to the dorms and hide in my room.
Adam's POV:
"Now that's the Charlie Conway I remember," Shane commented with a laugh as we watched the third period of the game. Charlie had just taken a shot at the goal, or well he would have if he hadn't missed the puck completely. I just shot Shane a look. Yeah, Charlie had been a jerk here lately but he was still my friend. "Sorry," Shane said when he saw me looking at him.
"Man, what is Conway's problem today," Jesse said from the other side of me. "He's a much better player than he's showing today."
I didn't say anything although I knew Jesse was right. Come to think of it, as much as I hadn't appreciated Shane's remark, he had been right too. Charlie's playing today did remind me of when I had played on the Hawks against Charlie. Back when his team had been known as District 5 and not the Ducks. Back before Gordon Bombay.
"Come on Conway, focus," I heard Scooter call although to my surprise he didn't pull him.
I looked over at the score board. The score was still three to two in the favor of Jefferson Academy. There was still five minutes left in the game. Even though with the way they had been playing today it was a long shot, our team still had a chance of winning or at the very least tie the game.
Jefferson Academy had the puck down in our defense zone again. One of their players got off a shot on the net which Julie deflected. Averman came up with the Puck on the rebound but they weren't able to clear it before they lost control of the puck again.
On the next rebound Charlie came up with the puck. As he headed toward their net though one of the Jefferson Academy players tripped him with his stick. I closed my eyes as I heard Jesse mutter, "Oh man, here we go," beside me. After the day he had been having, we both expected Charlie to lose his temper.
I opened my eyes when I heard the referee call for a penalty shot for Eden Hall. Although I could see that Charlie was furious, he had managed to keep his calm and not go after the guy who had tripped him.
I saw Alex and Scooter discussing something on the sideline. They were probably trying to decide who would take the penalty shot. While in most cases, I personally think the shot should be taken by whoever the penalty was on, in the circumstance I didn't think that was a good idea. With the way Charlie was playing chances were he would miss the shot completely.
Evidently, Alex and Scooter felt the say way as I saw Lambert go to center court to take the penalty shot. Lambert made the shot which tied the game at three apiece. There was still two minutes left to the game. They still had a chance at winning the game.
I lost track of how many times the puck changed position over the final stages of the game. Without a doubt, the Warriors were playing the best they had played the entire day. I was pretty sure though that the game was going to end in a tie though but then with fifteen seconds left on the clock Averman got another break away. Suddenly, winning the game was very possible.
"I can't watch," Jesse said beside me. I know how he felt. Averman was a great defensive player but scoring goals had never been a strong point of his.
Just as time was running out though, Averman took a shot at the goal and the Jefferson Academy goalie missed the puck entirely. The puck went into the net ending the game in a four to three win for our team. The three of us on the sidelines started yelling and cheering along with the team on the court. I couldn't help but notice though that Charlie wasn't joining in on the celebration. Despite my last encounter with Charlie on Friday night, I was still determined to try and talk to him sometime tonight. I wanted to know what was going on with him.
Scooter's POV:
Midway through the second period, the game was not going well for us. We were down two to zero and I don't know what happened to the team I had been coaching for the past couple of weeks. The team on the court wasn't them. They were making silly mistakes, even Julie. The two goals she had let by her should've been easy to stop.
"Conway, Lambert is open," I called out. He either didn't hear me or he was ignoring me on purpose. Either way the result was the same. Conway went to pass to Drake who had two people defending her and the puck switched hands and just like that we went from being on the offensive to being back on the defensive again.
"Please tell me I didn't just see that," I muttered.
"Okay, you didn't just see that," Alex said quietly beside me. I looked over at her. I hadn't really wanted an answer, I hadn't expected anyone to overhear me. "But you did," she finished looking up at me.
"Thanks," I told her.
I turned my attention back to the game. Jefferson Academy had the puck down by our net and it looked like they were just playing with our players. They were doing way more passes than was actually necessary. Number 44 for Jefferson Academy took a shot at the goal. Julie dived and deflected it but another Jefferson player got the puck on the rebound and the net was wide open.
"I can't watch," I said putting a hand over my eyes. I was waiting to hear the whistle signaling another score by the other team. Instead I started hearing cheering around me.
"Nice save Kilpatrick," Alex called beside me.
I opened my eyes and saw that we now had control of the puck. Whatever had happened while I was hiding my eyes was probably the best play we had made the whole day. Behind us, on the other side of the fence I could hear Adam, Jesse, and Shane cheering along with a few other kids who had come to watch the game today.
We switched some players pulling Conway and Drake out of the game. As Charlie joined us on the sideline I saw him glancing in my direction. He was probably waiting for me to say something about the botched play not to long ago. I wasn't going to though. I needed to keep these guys focused on the game not thinking about mistakes that they had already made.
Out on the court, we still had control of the puck. I however, found myself holding my breath. I was just waiting for someone to mess up. It seemed like the only thing they were good at today.
But this time the play didn't deteriorate. Everything seemed to just fall into place for us on this play. Lambert faked a shot at the net, and then passed the puck over to Germaine. Germaine got the puck and took his own shot at the goal. The goalie was still recovering from Lambert fake and the puck went by him into the net. As the referee blew his whistle I stood there in shock. I couldn't believe that we had actually scored a goal.
On the court, the team was celebrating as much as those on the sidelines were. Maybe, just maybe we had a chance at still winning this game.
"Okay, Conway, Turner and Drake you're back in," I called out trying to get my team focused on the game again. The three players who I had just called pulled there helmets back on and went out on the court as Germaine, Brown and Kilpatrick came off.
"Nice shot, Guy," I told him as he took his helmet off and grabbed a water bottle.
"Thanks," Guy said.
The whistle blew signaling the next face off. Lambert was in the center, and as the referee dropped the puck he beat the Jefferson Academy center to it. Lambert sent the puck in Conway's direction and Charlie completely missed the pass. I'm not even sure how he did it. The puck was heading right toward him and no one was anywhere near him to intercept the pass. Luckily, Averman was able to get a hold of the puck before any of the Jefferson Academy players.
"Is he doing this on purpose?" I whispered to Alex. "I have never seen him play this bad."
"I know," Alex whispered back as Charlie botched another play and Jefferson Academy got a hold of the puck. They charged our net and after a couple of shots one of them got the puck past Julie making the score three to one. I was starting to wish this game was over with.
"Conway," I called motioning him over to the sidelines as Alex sent Kilpatrick out to take Charlie's place.
Charlie's POV:
"Conway," I heard Scooter call as the other team started celebrating another goal. I couldn't believe I had made that mistake. Or the mistake on the face-off for that matter. I just couldn't keep my mind on the game today. Unfortunately my mind was else where and I think everyone was realizing that.
I looked over to where Scooter and Alex were standing on the sidelines to see Scooter motioning me off the court. I couldn't really blame him. With all the mistakes I was making today I wouldn't even want me out on the court.
I made my way over to the sidelines avoiding eye contact with my coaches and my teammates. I knew they were disappointed in me and I couldn't blame them. As I took off my helmet and leaned my hockey stick against the fence I happened to make eye contact with Adam who was watching the game.
I could see the question in his eyes. He wanted to know what was going and I had a feeling I would probably be trying to dodge him when we got back on campus. Adam was one of the last people I wanted to talk to right now.
I watched the rest of the second period from the sidelines. I couldn't help but notice that I wasn't the only one out there making mistakes. There were quite a few other mistakes being made which made me think that Scooter and Alex were signaling me out for other reasons. Probably, because of my argument with Alex, not to mention the fact that Scooter didn't want me on the team to begin with.
In the closing seconds of the game, Averman got a hold of the puck from the other team. 'He's going to mess this up,' I couldn't help but thinking as I watched him skate toward the other side of the court. He was by himself, just him and the goalie. We very well could have our second score of the game.
Everyone on our side of the court was quiet. I couldn't help but wonder if maybe they were thinking the same thing as I was. I glanced toward Scooter and Alex who were both watching intently. I had seen Scooter hiding his eyes during one of the plays earlier and was surprised he wasn't doing it again. As Averman got close to the net, he lined up and took the shot. The Jefferson Academy goalie dived toward the puck trying to stop it. The puck hit the goalie's glove and deflected toward the bar of the goal and then into the net. The whistle blew, signaling the goal and the end of the second period. Averman had actually scored.
"Way to go Averman," I called out from my spot on the sideline. Out on the court Averman just stared at the net in disbelief until Lambert and the other's on the court started congratulating him. Before long I lost track of him in the swarm of player's as most of the team that was on the sideline joined the celebration on the court. I stayed where I was. I didn't feel like joining in on the mass celebration.
"What is your problem today Conway?" I heard Scooter asked. I took my eyes off the team on the court to see Scooter walking toward me today. "I know you can play better than what I saw out there today. Are you trying to throw this game?"
Although he wasn't yelling I could tell he wasn't happy. I couldn't really blame him. I wasn't that happy with the way I was playing today either. Still, his accusation that I might be doing this on purpose made me mad.
"Is that Alex's theory or yours," I shot back not really answering his question at all.
"This has nothing to do with Alex. I don't care what the problem is between the two of you but if you're not going to go out there and try your best then you don't belong on this team," Scooter told me. I could hear the anger in his voice now. My comment probably hadn't been the smartest thing to say. I definitely didn't want to be kicked off the team now. Not after how hard I tried to get on.
"I'm sorry," I said apologizing and trying to fix any damage my earlier comment might have cause. "I guess my mind just isn't in the game today."
"Look Charlie," Scooter said his voice softening a little, " we all have bad days. It's going to happen but you can't let whatever is bothering you affect you out there. You're teammates are relying on you too much for that."
I just nodded not wanting to open my mouth. I was afraid I'd stick my foot back in it if I did.
"Hey, you two joining us," Alex called. She had the rest of the team gathered around her and was looking over at us. The rest of the team was watching us too.
"Coming," Scooter called back and started walking toward them. I silently followed. Win or lose I just wanted this day to be over with so I could go back to the dorms and hide in my room.
Adam's POV:
"Now that's the Charlie Conway I remember," Shane commented with a laugh as we watched the third period of the game. Charlie had just taken a shot at the goal, or well he would have if he hadn't missed the puck completely. I just shot Shane a look. Yeah, Charlie had been a jerk here lately but he was still my friend. "Sorry," Shane said when he saw me looking at him.
"Man, what is Conway's problem today," Jesse said from the other side of me. "He's a much better player than he's showing today."
I didn't say anything although I knew Jesse was right. Come to think of it, as much as I hadn't appreciated Shane's remark, he had been right too. Charlie's playing today did remind me of when I had played on the Hawks against Charlie. Back when his team had been known as District 5 and not the Ducks. Back before Gordon Bombay.
"Come on Conway, focus," I heard Scooter call although to my surprise he didn't pull him.
I looked over at the score board. The score was still three to two in the favor of Jefferson Academy. There was still five minutes left in the game. Even though with the way they had been playing today it was a long shot, our team still had a chance of winning or at the very least tie the game.
Jefferson Academy had the puck down in our defense zone again. One of their players got off a shot on the net which Julie deflected. Averman came up with the Puck on the rebound but they weren't able to clear it before they lost control of the puck again.
On the next rebound Charlie came up with the puck. As he headed toward their net though one of the Jefferson Academy players tripped him with his stick. I closed my eyes as I heard Jesse mutter, "Oh man, here we go," beside me. After the day he had been having, we both expected Charlie to lose his temper.
I opened my eyes when I heard the referee call for a penalty shot for Eden Hall. Although I could see that Charlie was furious, he had managed to keep his calm and not go after the guy who had tripped him.
I saw Alex and Scooter discussing something on the sideline. They were probably trying to decide who would take the penalty shot. While in most cases, I personally think the shot should be taken by whoever the penalty was on, in the circumstance I didn't think that was a good idea. With the way Charlie was playing chances were he would miss the shot completely.
Evidently, Alex and Scooter felt the say way as I saw Lambert go to center court to take the penalty shot. Lambert made the shot which tied the game at three apiece. There was still two minutes left to the game. They still had a chance at winning the game.
I lost track of how many times the puck changed position over the final stages of the game. Without a doubt, the Warriors were playing the best they had played the entire day. I was pretty sure though that the game was going to end in a tie though but then with fifteen seconds left on the clock Averman got another break away. Suddenly, winning the game was very possible.
"I can't watch," Jesse said beside me. I know how he felt. Averman was a great defensive player but scoring goals had never been a strong point of his.
Just as time was running out though, Averman took a shot at the goal and the Jefferson Academy goalie missed the puck entirely. The puck went into the net ending the game in a four to three win for our team. The three of us on the sidelines started yelling and cheering along with the team on the court. I couldn't help but notice though that Charlie wasn't joining in on the celebration. Despite my last encounter with Charlie on Friday night, I was still determined to try and talk to him sometime tonight. I wanted to know what was going on with him.