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Scrimmage with the Hawks.

I returned to Minnesota a week later. I didn't want to leave, but I didn't really have anything to stay for. What did it matter anyway? I'm not safe anywhere I go.

When I returned, I was told that my scrimmage with the Hawks had been rescheduled for the next day. I wasn't so sure about playing the next day, but I knew I had to do it sooner or later. If I didn't do it now, then there was a good chance that I wouldn't be ready for the start of the season.

After a not so great nights sleep, I arrived early at the hockey arena. I was surprised to see the Hawks already there warming up. I quickly changed into my hockey gear and hit the ice. I was more then a little surprised to see Coach Riley speaking with Coach Wilson.

"Your coach wanted to see how you were doing." Coach Riley told me.

"I'm really sorry about your mother, son." Coach Wilson patted me on the back. "If you ever need to talk, I'm there."

"I'm fine Coach," I lied. I was tore apart inside, but there was no way in hell I was going to admit it to him. "But I appreciate you being there for me."

I skated over to my net and started to warm up as a crew of officials came onto the ice. What the hell do we need refs for? This is a scrimmage, not an actual game.

The game started a few minutes later. Larson skated over to the center circle where he would be taking the first face off. He stood in the circle and waited for the puck to drop. McGill did the same for the Hawks side. As soon as the puck dropped Larson went after it, but was pushed to the ground by McGill. McGill's team headed, full speed towards me and the goal using quick passes to get a wide open shot at the goal. I dived in the direction the puck was headed. Glove save. I slid the puck out of my glove and over to Larson. I watched as he headed in the other direction with the puck. Once he passed over center ice, he passed the puck off to Adams. Adams crossed the blue line and saw Reynolds cutting down the center and was able to get him the puck in the right position. Score. Reynolds and Adams hugged each other in celebration.

The scrimmage went scoreless for the next ten minutes. Larson's team had won the next face off and McGill was soon there after called for slashing and given two minutes in the penalty box. McGill's team still won the next face off and came charging down the ice. Their speed was too much for me and my inexperience and they tied the score at one with an easy goal. The period ended with the score tied at one.

The second period turned out to be troublesome for my counterpart as the only goal scored was off of a two on one break by the Larson's team. The third period started pretty much the same as the second. Mine and Larson's team scored off of the face off and we were suddenly up by two goals. McGill's team almost made it back on the scoreboard with ten minutes left to go in the game. McGill was able to maneuver his way through the defense before scoring just over the goalie's glove. Fortunately for me, the puck hit the top of the goal post and fell down in front of me. I quickly covered it up with my glove.

The face off was held and Adam's won it and headed quickly down ice and found McGill wide open . McGill wound back and fired a slap shot at me. The puck sailed through the air before hitting me on my chest pad. The rebound came out and I was surprised at my ability to block the three rebound shots that followed before covering the puck up.

The next few minutes was a defensive struggle as both teams were playing hard. McGill had the puck heading down the ice when Adams tripped me in front of the net, allowing the McGill an easy score. I watched as they celebrated what they though was a goal. Suddenly I heard the whistle blow and Adams was called for the trip. Once the penalty was over, I faced my biggest obstacle. McGill's team had the advantage and he headed up ice and triple deked before starting to shoot the puck, when he was clipped from behind. The ref immediately called for the penalty shot. I watched nervously as McGill skated off to center ice and waited for the ref's signal. It was given and McGill grabbed the puck on his stick and started up ice. He neared the goal and once again triple deked before shooting the puck. I closed my eyes and stuck my glove in the air. Moments later, I felt my glove jar as the puck said into the webbing. Miraculously, I had made it through the scrimmage only giving up one goal.

I skated happily towards the coach. "How did I do?" I asked.

"Not bad for someone who just played in their first game as goalie." Coach Riley answered me.

"I think you will be ready by the time practice starts next month. I will be looking forward to seeing how much farther along you have come." Coach Wilson told me before exiting the ice.

I exited as well, heading back to the locker room to get a quick shower and a change of clothes. I was showering when I heard the door open and close. A few minutes later I heard it again. I figured it was just one of the Hawks, and that they had forgotten someone. I couldn't have been more wrong. A few minutes later, after I had finished my shower I returned to my bag to see a note waiting for me. I didn't even have to open it to know who it was from.

Gunnar/Scooter,

I enjoyed seeing you play today. To bad your career as a goalie will be a short one. Kind of ironic how the scrimmage came down to a shoot out.

Please push the blue button and leave a review! I meant to update last week, but we were having water leeks and of course, the leak was coming from my room, thus I was kicked out for three days.