February 9, 1980 Madison Square Garden (Three Days Till Opening Ceremonies)
I was rushing around before the game trying to get last minute things in order. Herb was off in his own little world, dad was with Doc in the locker room with the boys. I had seen some of the Soviets players and couldn't believe how old they looked compared to our team. I walked into our locker room, knowing everyone would be dressed.
"Is the team ready?" I asked dad. "They want them to line up on the ice for the singing of the national anthem."
"Okay boys; let's head out to the ice." Herb said. He, dad and Doc walked out to go our bench as the boys started gathering their things.
"Chevon, you're looking lovely with your black scarf and gloves." Verchota told me and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Hey something has to keep me warm while Rizzo is busy!" I said with a wink. This earned several claps and whistles. "Okay, I have to get out there with dad, Herb and Doc. Good luck boys."
I walked over to Rizzo and kissed him briefly. "Do your best! You worked hard to make this team!" I told him.
I left the locker room and walked down the hall to join the coaching staff in the box. The crowd seemed awful quiet for a hockey game.
I climbed into the bench area, "You excited?" dad asked me.
"Ask me that when we get to Lake Placid, this is just a warm up game." I said.
The teams started out on the ice. A feeling of pride took over me watching the final 20 that made the team. For eight months I had been with these boys, we had grown as a family, and now here we were 3 days away from the Olympics. And one of those skating on the ice was my boyfriend, whom I loved very much.
I watched as the teams began to line up for the national anthem. Herb looked comfortable and excited at the same time. I moved over close to dad as the singing began. It was an amazing feeling to hear that song and look at team USA.
When the song was over it was announced over the PA system: "Ladies and Gentleman, your 1980 US Olympic team."
I watched as Boris Mikailov, captain of the Soviet team, skated over to his bench and got the NHL challenge trophy that the Soviets had won in October. He skated around with it as the crowd booed him. One group of fans lowered a sign that read 'Soviets: Get the Puck out of Afghanistan'.
'Wow, politics are being dragged into hockey.' I thought. I also couldn't wonder if we were safe. Although, I tried hard to squelch these fears because now that Rizzo was on the team for sure, I was going to Lake Placid to watch him play and god help the 'commie' that got in my way.
As the boys cleared the ice and began preparing for the opening face-off, I could hear lots of talk in Russian from the Soviet bench. I wish I knew what they were saying. Jimmy Craig was in the net. Mark Johnson was at center ice. Beside him were Mike Ramsey and OC.
"Let's go hard boys!" Herb yelled.
The Soviets immediately took control of the puck. It seemed everyone was yelling at once, Herb at the team, Jimmy Craig at OC who was in a spat with one of the Soviets. And before any of us realized what hit us, the Soviets had scored. Then OC got in a fight with one of the Soviets and was being dragged off to the penalty box.
The game continued this way. It was like we had no idea what to do. The Soviets game was better, passing was cleaner, and skating was crisper. They scored again, and again, and again. And then disaster.
I was sitting between Suter and Christoff with my head in my hands. About that time I heard the whistle and the crowd go silent. I looked out onto the ice to see OC lying on the ice, clutching his knee. Several members of our team gathered around him as Herb called for Doc. The whole team immediately grew concerned. As OC was helped back to the locker room, I decided to go with him. I would be of more help comforting an injured player than I would be sitting on the bench watching us lose.
When I got to the back, Doc was with OC and I was bombarded with media already wanting to know what was going on.
"Excuse me, Miss Patrick, what is the condition of O'Callahan? Will he be able to play in the Olympics?" one asked.
"I have no information at this time, please speak with Coach Brooks, or Coach Patrick after the game." I said and finally plowed through them and into the locker room.
Doc was getting ready to leave the game was almost over. "Doc what is the deal with OC?"
"He has either stretched or torn the ligaments in his knee. I won't know the full extent of the damage till x-rays are done." Doc said. "I am going to talk to Herb."
Doc left and I walked into the back room where OC was. I found him lying on a table, his knee packed in ice and tears in his eyes. The sight broke my heart. I walked in and took off my scarf.
"How bad did we lose out there?" OC asked me.
"Final score was 10-3. We lost pretty badly. I think Herb is with reporters right now." I said. I walked over to the table and took OC's hand. "Doc said he was going to talk with Herb."
OC's eyes filled up with new tears. "All of my life I have wanted to play in the Olympics, and now I am going to miss it by three days."
"Hey, you don't know that. If you don't need surgery you'll get to play." I said and found a tissue in my pocket. "Look at Rizzo, we all thought he would get cut and he made the team."
"Herb will send me home. He needs a healthy team." OC said as I wiped his cheeks with the tissue.
"OC, I don't try to understand Herb because if I did, I would go crazy. But I do know him enough to say that he respects the time and effort all of you boys have put into this team. It killed him to send Cox home. So he won't just send you home on a whim." I said and brushed the hair out of his face.
OC turned his face and looked at me. "I am sorry to cry all over you like this."
I squeezed his hand and smiled, "Its okay, Jack. Considering all we have been through these past eight months and all the time I spend in your room and all the 'Dallas' we watch together while you claim you don't like it…well you're really like a brother to me."
"I guess that means I should beat the hell out of Rizzo for fooling around with my sister!" OC joked weakly, but I could tell he was about to cry again.
I leaned down and gave him a hug. "I am going to see what else is going on. Herb should be in soon." I said and kissed his cheek.
I walked out into the hall and saw Herb walking with Doc and some members of the USOC. Herb looked anxious and reporters were swarming everywhere.
"The kid's made the team. He's busted his ass for me for seven months now I gotta send him home, that the deal!" Herb snapped then went in to see OC.
I shook my head and went to find my dad who was still being asked questions by reporters. Then they spotted me.
"Miss Patrick, have you any news on O'Callahan?"
"No comment on his status at this time." I said.
"Do you feel this game has demoralized the US team?"
"The US team is very resilient and excellent competitors. I feel they will use this game as learning and growing experience." I told them.
I made my way into the catering area and shut the door behind me. I needed a few minutes to clear my head. I sat down and was trying to slow my breathing which I didn't even realized had speeded up. I heard voices in the hallway that sounded like Jimmy Craig and Herb. I got up and peeked out the door to see Herb walking down the hall and Jimmy chasing after him. It seemed as if they were arguing.
About that time dad spotted me and walked over to where I was peeking out the door. "What is going on?" I asked him.
"Herb is thinking of sitting Jimmy down. Says it time to give Janny a look." Dad said. I didn't know what to say.
"What about OC?" I asked.
"Doc is on the way to the hospital with him now. They are going to get some x-rays of OC's knee and Herb will decide from there." Dad said. The look on my face must have showed how upset and mixed up I was feeling because dad pulled me into a hug.
"We're going to be a mess at Lake Placid." I said.
"Things may pan out; you're the one that always has great faith in this team. Don't give us up on now." Dad said.
"I would never give up on this team. I love those boys, you know that." I said. "I'll see you at the bus."
I walked out of the room to head towards the locker room to see how the boys were. Despite what I had said to reporters I feared that maybe this had doused the boys' spirits some. Especially with one of their teammates injured and potentially not playing in the Olympics and their steady goalie was about to be benched.
I knocked on the locker room door.
"We all have at least pants on," Mac yelled. "Come on in Chevon."
I walked in. The team was kinda quiet most of them getting dressed and their things together. Jimmy was looking frustrated and upset. I hugged him quickly. Then went on over to Rizzo.
"How are you doing?" I asked him.
"Worried about OC." He said.
"Yeah, me too. But I want to enjoy the time I have with you in New York City before we have to leave for Lake Placid." I said and kissed his cheek.
I helped him gather his things. I looked at him and the rest of the team dressed in their shirts and ties. We all walked out and boarded the bus. I looked around the city. The World Trade Towers were standing tall. Rizzo nudged me from my thoughts and we boarded the bus.
We sat at the back of the bus on the ride back to the hotel. The bus was quieter than usual. I just wanted to get back to the hotel and relax. When the bus pulled in to the hotel, we all trudged off.
"Dad, I am going to go hang with Jim for awhile." I told him.
"I thought you would. He probably needs someone to talk to." Dad said.
I followed Rizzo through the hotel to his room. It seemed odd that OC was not with us. I wondered when he would be back from the hospital.
"Thinking about OC?" Rizzo said sitting down in a chair in the room.
I had to smile, "You know me toowell. Yeah, I just can't imagine him working so hard and not getting to play in the Olympics."
"I keep thinking of Jimmy. His mother's dream was for him to play on the Olympic team, now he may be benched." Rizzo said.
I flopped down on a bed, "Where is my jersey? I just want you to hold me till I fall asleep."
"It's in my bag…..just hold you is all?" Rizzo pretended to whine and started to snicker.
"What is funny?" I asked him.
"We have been together for seven months, and your dad and Herb or Doc haven't figured it out yet." Rizzo said.
"Yeah, I did think that at least dad would have put something together by this time." I said. "Just two more weeks and we can tell them."
"Hard to believe that we are almost at the Olympics." Rizzo says. "Almost doesn't seem real."
I smiled at Rizzo, but in the back of my mind I wondered what was going to happen to Rizzo and me after the Olympics. But I didn't have time to worry about it. For now, we were on our way to Lake Placid and the Olympics.
The next morning we were awakened when the phone rang. While Rizzo climbed over me to answer the phone, I noticed that OC still wasn't back from the hospital. I didn't pay attention to Rizzo on the phone. I was wondering what could be taking OC so long at the hospital. I heard Rizzo hang up the phone.
"Was that your parents?" I asked him rolling over to face him.
"No, it was yours." He said and I looked at him. "Your dad said that Herb wanted to speak with me right away. He wouldn't say what about."
"That's strange. What would Herb need to see you at 7:30 in the morning for?" I asked.
"I dunno. Do you think they found out about us?" Rizzo asked.
"I don't see how. But if they did we will deal with it." I said. "I am sure that legally there is no way they can kick you off the team or anything."
"No but Herb can bench me after me working so hard to get here." Rizzo said.
"Just calm down. Right now depending on whether or not he keeps OC, Herb can't bench anyone. He is going to need every skater he can put on that ice while he waits for OC to heal." I said.
"And if he sends OC home?" Rizzo asked me.
"I don't know then, Mike. Just try to relax. We don't know what they know, if they know anything." I said.
"Yeah, I guess I should go see what Herb wants." Rizzo said getting out of bed. "What are you going to do?"
"Wait right here for you. If daddy or Herb thinks for one minute that they are going to push you around because of me, they have both got another thing coming. Daddy knows how stubborn I can be and Herb will learn fast!" I said and Rizzo started laughing. "What is funny?"
"You're just so funny when you get mad." Rizzo said. "Cute as ever, but funny!"
"Oh will you just get dressed so you can find out what this is all about?" I said rolling my eyes at him.
Rizzo quickly dressed and left the room. I waited nervously, having no idea what Herb would want with Rizzo. I hastily got dressed myself, not wanting dad to walk in and find that I had slept all night beside Rizzo wearing nothing buthis practice jersey. I actually began pacing. When I heard a key in the door I turned and watched Rizzo walk in. His face was unreadable.
"Mike, what did Herb want?" I asked.
"He has made me team captain!" Rizzo said. "Herb wants me to be the team captain. He said I show the right leadership qualities on and off the ice!"
I felt a surge of joy soar through me. All of his hard work and dedication and now he was being named team captain. Rizzo was going to be captain of the team that he had always dreamed of playing on. I was almost in tears.
"OH baby, that is wonderful!" I yelled and leaped into his arms. I hugged him tighter than I ever had before. "I am so happy for you! You have worked so hard and earned it. And the other guys do look to you for support."
"I am just in shock. I mean, I was so scared of being cut from the team…I never thought in a million years of being named the team captain!" he said.
"I know, but you deserve it. Trust me; Herb gives away nothing, it has been earned." I said. "And now we know that 'we' are still a secret."
"Yeah, we are. And Herb told me that OC is already on his way to Lake Placid with Doc." Rizzo said.
"Did Herb say how he was? How is his knee, what is wrong?" I asked.
"Herb said he hasn't talked to Doc about it." Rizzo said.
"It's still not too late for him to send OC home." I said and shook my head.
Mrs. Rizzo- Thanks for your comments. I enjoy your humor.
meadow567- I can only type so fast! LOL
Klinoa- (Here is a tissue.) It was hard to say goodbye to Cox!
Emador- Then do they 'come out of the closet'?! LOL
Nikkd03- As close as Chevon was to Cox, I had to write her feelings! Thanks for the review!