Page 107 of Scoring Position

Shots favored Russia 30–28, but Germany’s goalie, Felix Birner, shut Russia out after the first period. Defenseman Markus Brestrich (New Jersey), right-winger Daniel Mayerhofer (San Jose), and Captain Nicolai Kirschbaum (Vancouver) scored for Germany, while Russia’s lone goal was tallied by Andrei Sidorov.

“I’m so proud of my team,” Kirschbaum said in interview after the game. “They showed up and worked hard. It’s been an honor to play for my country, to play with these guys and to be their captain.”

When asked how he planned to celebrate, Kirschbaum laughed. “Later tonight, the boys and I are headed out for some drinks. But first I have a gold-medal game to watch.”

Kirschbaum was cagey about which team he would be rooting for, but when his personal connection to Canadian player Ryan Wright was pointed out, he smiled and said, “Oh, I don’t know about cheering for him. Kind of a terrible chess player.”

Read a full recap of the game below.

ELLA PLACEDa restraining hand on Nico’s knee. “If you don’t stop bouncing your leg, I will cut it off.”

Nico gave her a sheepish look. “Sorry.”

She patted his thigh. “I understand. You want your boy to do well.”

Nico glared and cast a quick look around. Sure, Ryan had said he didn’t mind people knowing, but that didn’t mean Nico wanted all the hockey-player gossips and their families to think they knew something before there was anything official to know.

“It’s just adrenaline.” He had, he knew, started using his “serial-killer monotone” as Ella liked to call it, but he couldn’t help it. It surfaced when he was stressed. “I won a medal earlier.” He tapped the bronze medallion hanging over his track suit. The coaches had instructed the players to stay in team colors and their new hardware if they wanted to attend the last game.

Ella rolled her eyes. “Yes, yes, we’re all very proud of you,” she muttered, but she didn’t sound sarcastic, just fond.

He bumped their shoulders together. “I know.”

“You’re still giving me anxiety.”

“I am doing no such thing. It must be the game.” Two periods in and the teams were locked at 2–2.

“Yes, all my nerves must be about the game,” Ella deadpanned.

“It is a very exciting one,” Nico’s dad agreed from behind her.

Nico and Ella stood to give his parents room to get to their seats. His dad held two beers, and his mother some popcorn and a sausage. She sat next to him and handed him the sausage. “Eat,” she said to him in Russian.

His stomach gurgled in delight, and he happily took the food. “Spaseebah,” he sighed.

“Charming as always,” Ella griped.

Nico made a face at her. He had every right to be hungry.

His mother patted his shoulder. “He worked hard for that medal. He needs to eat or he’ll waste away.” She handed Ella the popcorn and one of the beers his father was holding. Then she took a bottle of water and a sports drink from her bag. She gave Nico the sports drink. “Drink too. You will drink enough beer tonight.”

He grinned. Food and hydration tips. Russian moms were the best.

“Now, this intermission must be almost over, and soon we can watch your boy play.”

Ella snickered into her beer.

“Mama.”

“Do not lie to me, Kolyasha. I have seen the way that boy looks at you.”

Nico blushed under her gaze. He couldn’t help but glance at his father, who was clearly listening in although his eyes were on the ice. “Nothing’s settled. I’m talking to him later.”

“Good. Then you will bring him to meet your parents. As yourboyfriendthis time.” She paused to consider this. “And bring his parents also. We will all have dinner together, da?”

“Tell me I get to come too,” Ella breathed, even as Nico stared at his mother in mute horror. She couldn’t seriously be suggesting that they double up the meet-the-parents dinners.

“Of course you should come. You are family,” his mother said, like it was a done deal.

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