Chapter 25 - Madison Square Gardens

Marie stood up and gave Silk a hug when he came into the restaurant with some of the other guys. It was dinnertime and they decided to go out before the game that night. The morning the girl's went out to shop. They went to 5th Avenue, but considering the clothes were out of their price range, they just window shopped before heading to the Village. Then they decided to make signs for the game. So they went to a drug store, brought some markers and poster boards.

"We're late, but we have a good reason," Rizzo told the girls.

Rob handed the girls laminated cards. "We asked the manager and he was nice enough to give us access passes for you tonight."

"They're trying to get guest passes for the Olympics for you," Christian said.

Marie looked down at the pass in her hand. "Thank you. You guys didn't have to do this."

"We thought they've been with us since the beginning, cheering us on, why not do something to say how much we appreciate it," Ramsey explained.

Rizzo said, "Kind of. We…" he pointed to Rob and Silk. "…thought of it, brought it up with the guys."

"Still it was a great idea. No matter who thought it up," Regan told him.

"So during the intermission, we can head down to the locker room and bug you?" Connie asked.

"Anytime?" Marie enquired.

"Before the game, during the game, after the game," Silk told them.

"Are you ready to order or shall I get you some drinks as you look?" the waiter asked coming up.

The group told the waiter what they wanted and then started to go off in a few conversations at once.

"Rie, I talked to mom today," Silk started. "She told me to tell you she can't wait to finally meet you Monday."

Marie smiled. "Me neither." Marie looked across to Regan and Regan saw more than a smile. Marie was nervous. They had discussions about how his mom, dad, and sister couldn't wait to meet her, but of course the all important thing to Marie was, will they like her after meeting her in person? She'll just have to see Monday.

After dinner, the girls headed back to Regan's parents place to get the poster boards. When they got to Madison Square Gardens it was an hour before the game was suppose to start. They headed down in the tunnel underneath the stands and waited by the locker room for someone to go in or come out. When Doc was going in after coming from somewhere, they stopped him to ask him if he could get Rizzo, Silk, and Rob for them. He waved them over, took them in, but stopped them right after the door closed. The girl's could hear the chatter on the other side of the wall. Rob appeared first and took the girl's further in telling them that it was ok because everybody was dressed.

Marie looked around for Silk, and when she landed on him she smiled and pointed with her head to follow her. She went back to the room that led to the hall, waited like five seconds before he came in. He didn't have his skates on which made it easier for her to give him a hug.

"Just remember this game doesn't count. It's just for fun," she told him leaning back a little. "Win, tie, lose it doesn't matter. It's a practice game."

"I just hope we don't get creamed out there," he whispered. He looked over and saw one of the poster boards. "We believe in you."

Marie smiled. "I do."

Silk leaned his forehead against hers and they just fed off each other's energy. "Rie… I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Can I get some sugar?" he asked.

Marie looked at him and smirked. "Ok, give me a minute. I'll go find some."

Silk realized what he said sounded so stupid. He shook his head. "I'm not going to live that one down am I?"

Marie pretended to think about it. "You might." She leaned in and gave him a kiss. "Good luck out there."

"Do you have to leave?" he asked.

Marie nodded. "I don't want to miss the introductions. I'll be shouting my ass off for you."

Silk smiled and kissed her. When Regan and Connie came into the room, he let go but hesitantly. "I'll see you after." He walked back into the locker room.

The girls left, but to their surprise when they got out into the hallway they saw Tretiak walking toward the Russian locker room. The girls were actually looking forward to seeing the Russian hockey team live. In October when the NHL played them, they were amazed how awesome they were. Marie kept praying that the guys wouldn't loose to them by a lot. Yeah it was probably bad thinking that, but the guys never played against a team that's been together for fifteen years. There's experience there. Something that makes the Russian team click together well and win.

Right before the National Anthem was sung, the Russians were introduced individually before the US team was. As each player came out they were cheered and applauded by everyone. The girls were smiling with pride. Marie couldn't have been more proud, thrilled, and happy for the team at that very moment. When Mikhailov went over to the Russian bench and got the NHL challenge trophy after the song and the announcement of the team, Marie thought they were just being cocky. Then on the scoreboard, a camera showed a sign that said 'Soviets: Get the Puck out of Afghanistan' that a group had brought in and hung up. Marie sighed in disgust.

"Go Dave!" Marie shouted when Silk, Mark, Rob, Jack, and Ramsey disburse after meeting with Jimmy at their goal.

"Go Rob!" Connie shouted after her.

Regan started to laugh and the girl's just gave her a curious look. "Never mind."

Marie, just like everybody else, watched as Mark took the first face-off against Mikhailov. Mikhailov won the face-off and the Russians had the possession of the puck. Marie watched as the Russians passed the puck around like butter. When the Russian defenseman, Fetisov, slapped it toward Jimmy, she held her breath for a second and then said a silent prayer of thank you because the sweet sound of puck hitting metal rang through the arena. Mikhailov was right there and followed the puck to the boards. He must have felt Ramsey with him because he got the puck out of the way before Ramsey tried to check him into the boards.

"Ahh!" the crowd said in unison when Rob tried to a second later, but missed.

Marie felt that the Russians were playing with all five guys, but felt that the guys looked like a bunch of clowns because they couldn't keep up with where the puck was headed. It was happening oh so fast. It looked like they didn't know who to defend against because the puck kept being passed back and forth. She thought the guys finally had a break when Rob passed the puck to Mark and he started to skate with it. He got hit, but the puck got picked up by Ramsey. However, he got hip-checked and did a somersault before hitting the ice.

"Oh my God!" she yelled.

The puck went back to the Russians and Jack found himself in a two on one situation. "Get the puck! Save it Jimmy!" The girl's yelled together.

"Shit!" Marie yelled when the puck went pass Jimmy. "That's ok. We'll get the next one!"

"Jack, it's not the time to pick a fight," Regan said out loud.

Marie had a feeling that was one of the many things to come and she was right. All three periods she watched as the team made so many mistakes. She swore the puck knew who was the better team and stayed with them. There were a few scuffles here and there. One time Christoff wasn't watching where he was going and collided with Verchota. They looked over at the bench and Herb had his arms up in the air. And of course when Jack went down, they watched as he laid there hurt, scared for him.

vvv

"Wonder how Jack is doing?" Marie asked when the girls were sitting on the crowd barrier waiting for the guys in the tunnel. "I just hope his knee isn't bad."

"Probably shitting his pants," Regan replied quietly.

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Connie said. "He's a tough guy."

"When my dad got his injury, he tore his knee up real good," Marie told them. "When he took us out, he skated slow. He wasn't really sure how his knee would react if he went fast."

Connie sighed. "Let's just hope it doesn't end his career."

Regan nodded. "Jannie looked good when he came in."

"Maybe Herb should consider putting him in," Marie replied. "I talked to him a week ago and he felt a little down that he wasn't playing more. Like if the team actually wins a medal, he wouldn't feel like he deserves it because he didn't help them."

Regan tucked her chestnut hair behind her ear. "Poor guy."

"Does anybody think that's it's strange that the guys are using the visitor locker room?" Connie asked out of the blue, "Since we're the country team and all."

"What?" Marie asked confused. She looked over at the locker room and realized that the door said 'visitor'. "That's interesting. Why wouldn't they be in the home team locker room?"

"Maybe nobody thought it would matter," Regan suggested. "What about when a team gets to the playoffs and they stay with the goaltender that is winning? They get to the finals and they use the same goaltender. That second goaltender must feel like he's not worth it if they actually win the Stanley Cup."

"He has been apart of this team," Connie said. "He's as important as the other guys."

Marie was about to say something, but Jimmy and Herb came out of the locker room in a heated argument. They couldn't help listening and watching them, they were right there.

"Have you? Given me your very best? 'Cause I know there is a lot more in you – a whole other level that for some reason you don't want to go to. Oh, what the hell. You don't even understand what I'm talking about," Herb said to Jimmy. He started walking away, but Jimmy was right there with him.

"Oh, no, no, I'll tell you what I don't understand Herb. I don't understand you. Nobody on this team understands you and your ridiculous sayings and your drills and those stupid psychology tests you had everyone take."

Even though both of them had rounded a corner the girls could still hear them. Marie knew Herb had decided to bench Jimmy and Jimmy hadn't been thrilled with the idea. The game and his performance must have frustrated him a lot. When Jimmy came back around he was shaking his head.

"You ok, Jimmy?" Regan asked.

Jimmy stopped and put his hands on his hips. "I'll be fine."

Marie climbed off the barrier and went over to him. "The game doesn't count for anything. Consider it a practice game before meeting them in the games. You know how they play now and can use it was an advantage."

Jimmy nodded. "True."

"How's Jack doing?" Connie asked.

Jimmy told them, "He's going to the hospital to get his knee checked out. Do you wanna see him?"

"Can we? Wouldn't it be bad if girls entered the locker room?" Marie asked.

Jimmy shrugged. "It's not like we have anything you haven't seen before."

Marie rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Jimmy chuckled and walked over to the door. He made a gesture for them to follow. Connie went over first to get the poster boards. Marie thought it was too silent when they entered. The guys were slowly taking their pads, skates, jerseys off. Marie looked over to where Silk sat and the look on his face made her want to stop to comfort him, but before she could she had to check on Jack.

When they rounded the corner, Jack was sitting on the table, head down, sniffling. Connie reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, but didn't smile.

"Does it hurt?" Regan quietly asked, but realized that was an obvious answer.

Marie went over to his other side and put an arm around him. "I bet it's not that bad. You might have just twisted it funny."

Jack didn't say anything. Doc rounded the corner with his clothes and the girls gave him a quick hug before they left. When entering the other room, again, Marie headed over to the corner where Silk was sitting. He slid over a little when she tapped the side of his leg. Marie leaned over and whispered in his ear, "I love you."

Silk turned to her and smiled. "I love you," he whispered back. "Are you guys still planning on heading over to the hotel for a bit?"

"Yeah." Marie kissed him real fast before leaving the room with Connie and Regan.