Page 160 of Of Pucking Course

I move back slightly, just to get away from him. A millisecond later, the puck lands on the ice. Xander scrambles to get control of it. I expect him to hit it back to Theo, but instead it goes flying straight ahead.

Instinctively, I surge forward, getting to the puck before anyone else can. Backing away from the Wolverines player a second ago gave me a headstart I didn’t know I would need, but I’m taking full advantage of it. I speed ahead, pumping my legs as hard as I can.

I don’t bother to glance around to see if any of my teammates are open so I can pass the puck to them. I don’t have time. It’s too close of a game and I can’t risk losing this edge I currently have.

It’s on me. I need to score.

Gripping my stick tighter in my hands, I pull back and wind up to take the shot.

I slap the puck with the blade of my stick and hold my breath as I watch it sail toward the Wolverines’ goalie. It hits the post, then lands inside the net.

The goal buzzer sounds. I don’t hear it though. The cheers from the fans are too loud.

“Holy fuck, McKesson!” Xander yells, hugging me.

“Are you fucking kidding me with that goal?” Theo screams, shoving my shoulder.

I’m grinning so hard as my teammates surround me that my face is sore.

“We’ve got one minute to go till the end of the game, guys,” I say to them. “We need to focus.”

Theo nods. “He’s right. Let’s get it done, boys.”

For the next sixty seconds, that’s exactly what we do. Every time New York manages to get ahold of the puck, we’re on their ass. They never get an opportunity to take a shot at our net. We either check them before they can shoot or we steal the puck from them.

As the clock winds down to zero, the crowd gets louder and louder. The buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the game.

We did it. We won.

“Stanley Cup champions, baby!” Xander screams as he jumps on top of me.

I’m laughing as I fall onto the ice. Theo and Camden pile on top of me. I watch as Blomdahl speeds down from the net, crashing into us. A second later, every single player from the Bashers bench is on top of us, hollering and cheering.

“We fucking did it!” Theo yells.

“We won! We fucking won!” Del yells.

Adrenaline rockets through me. My entire body is vibrating with the joy from this win.

I don’t know how long I’m lying on the ice. It feels like minutes, but it could be an hour for all I know.

When my teammates finally help me up, I’m headed straight for my family and Dakota.

“Honey! We’re so proud of you!” my mom says with tears in her eyes when I get to the glass.

“Way to go, son.” My dad wipes at his eyes. My sister Caitlin is tearing up too. So is Shawn.

My eyes burn with tears. I’m so happy I can share this moment with everyone I love.

“Thanks, you guys.”

“Uncle Sammy! Did you hear us cheering for you?”Layla asks.

“Yeah, we screamed extra loud,” Liam says.

Dakota chuckles and pats his shoulder.

I laugh. “I definitely heard you guys. Your cheers helped me so much.”

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