St. Louis is playing who to start the season? That was the big question with the end of the preseason. A week for the teams to get their lineups ready. Jake and Bray both put up great numbers in the net, so that put more eyes on the Cardinals.

"So, do you think you'll get the nod?" Monika asks as Jake walks into the kitchen.

"Not a clue." He answers as he grabs a water bottle. "Come on, today we find out and study film on the Aces." They walk out and climb into the SUV where Jake's twin Josh, Josh's girlfriend Alexa, and her brother CJ await.

"What took y'all so long? Teaching each other how to kiss?" Alexa mocks, causing Monika to look away shyly and Jake to facepalm.

"And you shouldn't have to learn to drive Lexy." Josh says, getting her to focus on getting to the team facility. Once the quintet arrives, they head to the looker room where the rosters await. Jake heads to the sheet that lists off the players, noticing something with the defenseman.

Defenseman

1st Pair. R. Meredith #1, G. Meredith #62

2nd Pair. Wilson JR. #77, S. Camble #44

3rd Pair: McFoul #37, Adrian Peirce #46

He sighs, not knowing if he should be glad he is on the first pair with Josh, or if he should be upset that he wasn't named starting goalie.

"Hey Bray." Jake walks over to where Brey was checking out his stuff.

"Yo."

"Congrats on getting the starting job buddy."

"Thanks, same to you, on the title." Brey says, confusing Jake. He walks over to his locker and checks the back of his jersey over.

"So, you didn't get it. But that's okay, I still think you're a great player." Monika says as she sits next to him.

"Yeah, the fact he can confidently play on the blue line and in the crease is proof." Lucas says as he walks up. "Coach wants to see you and Josh." Jake gets his twin and heads out to the coach's office.

"What do they want him for? Everyone knows Mitchell's going to get the captain's C." Monika says as she gets her gear out of her bag.

"He's getting one of the As."

"What do you mean?" She asks, tilting her head. He grabs Jake's jersey and turns it to where the front faces her. "Oh… my… god." The twins arrive at the coach's office.

"Coach Hainz." Jake says as they sit down next to Mitchell.

"Thanks for coming in. I want to inform you guys who the captains of the team are."

"Oh, Lucas told me that I needed my bad coach." Jake says as he starts to stand up.

"Wow, sit down. He was being honest." He waves him to sit. "I want to congratulate the three of you on being named our three captains."

"Wow, hey congrats on being the team's first captain Mitch."

"Thanks, but I'm not the captain." Mitchell looks over to the twins. Jake gives him a confused look.

"The three of you need to get dressed for photoshoots." The coach says and they leave the room.

"So, are you filled to the brim with excitement Jake?" Monika asks him as he gets his pads on.

"Not really."

"How are you not?"

"I don't know." He grabs his pads and gets them on. He grabs his jersey and tosses it on, somehow not noticing the stylized letter.

"That man is so dense." Alexa mentions as he walks away, patting Monika on the shoulder. He heads to where the photo shoot is happening and notices something with his brother's and Mitchell's jerseys. Both have A's on theirs.

"Now do you see it?" Josh asks as Jake looks down to see a capital C, the emblem of the captain.

"So that's why everyone was peeking at my stuff." Jake says as he and the other two line up for photos. Once everyone got a headshot for TV and the likes. It was film study, the defending Ozma Cup Champions, the Atlus Aces. Why the defending champs get to play an expansion team originally meant to have its inaugural season the same year the CAHL (CanAmerican Hockey League) and the RHL (Remnant Hockey League) happened to be merging, we'll never know. Probably to give them an easy win to show the fans of the other conference what their so-called best is. Both twins quickly noticed how physical the Aces were with teams that usually don't fight back. Not super physical, mostly just getting in the goalies face and pushing smaller players, about the size of Monika. The three captains look at one another and nod. Clearly a little bit of physical play back at them will cause them to back off.

"Physicality is our game plan. Hit em clean and hard, that will shake em." Josh whispers to the other two and they shake their heads.

"I have an idea, I want to run it past the coaching staff." Mitchell adds as they continue to watch tape. Jake also picks up on a few things, first, the wingers attack from the outside, trying to put the puck into rebound opportunities for the center. Secondly, they will pass the puck to the center out of the defensive zone to move into the neutral zone.

"So if we put wingers on the inside, we could use the wall to pinch them, and also try and cut off passing lanes to the center." Jake thinks to himself as he draws X's and O's on a piece of paper with a rough drawing of a hockey rink. Once film study is over, Jake finishes his sketching of his forecheck idea.

"What's that?" He looks over his shoulder to see Millisa Campbell standing there. "It sure doesn't look like a confession to Hall."

"I don't get it, but no. It's a play concept I'm drawing up."

"I see. Welp I'm going to get some extra ice time captain." Millisa walks off, and Monika rushes over.

"What did she want?"

"Nothing."

"Didn't look that way."

"She's a teammate, and with me being named captain, it would make sense that I speak to the others." Jake stands up and puts the sketch away. "Why does it matter anyways, Jesus."

"Don't snap at me like that, I'm just asking."

"Really, cause you kinda sounded possessive, it's not like we are dating Hall." Jake says as he walks off, leaving her be.

"If only it was that simple." She says under her breath.

"Men can be dense." Alexa says as she pats her shoulder. "I'm sure eventually you'll get through."

"Whatever you say, Lexy. Whatever you say."