I'm a Hawks' Kid

Fourteen

Today was the day. Today the Ducks were going to be playing the final game of the playoffs this season against one another. It's pretty scary because you never who could do what or what could happen. I have a gut feeling about Adam and I. That something wrong could happen to us because the Hawks could see us as traitors and not friends anymore. I was afraid a little and I didn't know what could happen, Adam and I haven't had this much to worry about.

My dad and I walked into the locker room. We were one of the first ones here because the Coach must always be there before the players. I had my bag and everything, but I wasn't so sure I could play today, I felt sick to my stomach. I was worried but before I came here my dad made me drink raw eggs, and I puked, but felt a hell of a lot better. But right now I have a small stomach feeling and I am not sure if it's still the gut feeling or sickness arising within me. Just thinking about me made me was to throw up.

I had take a seat on the bench as I started getting dressed in my hockey gear. I was always the weird kid and since I was weird, I always wore PJs under my hockey gear. Because they were wamr and tight at the same tight so that way it was always easier to get my gear on. I did this because it was smart in a way, instead of always showing up in either pants and then having to change into leggins and a long sleeve, I just wore this because most boys did change and I always looked away went it came to them gettign their pants on. I'm eleven, not thirteen or fourteen.

As I pulled my shin pads and tightened the strap around my calf, my dad spoke up. "Pumped up?" I nodded and continued.

"Hey dad?" He looks over at me, "Could I play for the best team there is in our new town or what ever? I want to be in a rough league and not some kid league anymore,"

He smiles, "My kid's growing up all ready,"

"Dad, stop. Plus, you still have Echo," Just as I was gonna say something else, more kids filed into the room from my team and took their seats. I was happy that they came in here talking and laughing, some had strange looks, but then just got over it and started getting dressed. I pulled up my hockey socks over top of my shin pads and then taped them once around to keep the socks up high.

After getting dressed, I headed outside where my dad was all ready standing with his clip board in hands as he sent glares to Coach Reilly. I saw Coach Reilly talking to his team quite a bit, pumping them and everything. I sighed dramatically as my dad was there. "What's wrong now, Ky?"

I wince and make a face under my helmet, "Nothing, I just have another gut feeling. It's all," He nods.

"All right, I'll have you play second period if you're all right or even switch out after the first guys," I nod and go on the ice where I start warming up. I did some half laps until my entire team showed up and once we did we all gathered into one huge line.

The Hawks were in one huge line on the other side of us, about seven feet or maybe ten away from us. Coach's stood at the back and we had Hans with us too because he's been helping out for the past while because Dad couldn't handle it on his own sometimes. I stood there, digging my skate into the ice because I was waiting to sing the anthem.

Once the anthem started, I was next to King. He was on the other side in his line while everyone stared forwards at our proud country's flag. I stayed quiet though, while some of the guys whispered stuff back and laughed. Half of them knew that this team couldn't make it this far and they knew the Hawks would win easily with or without Adam and I. Apparently we don't make a difference anymore, especially since they don't have us to each make a hat trick anymore. A hat trick is where we get three goals in a game, and if we do them consecutively than it's a natural hat trick.

After the anthem, both team gathered back together at their players' benches. I took a seat on the bench and some kids questioned it because they all thought that Adam and I would be playing first and together, but no I had asked to sit out for the first little while until I feel better to play and am pumped up. Adam, Charlie, Averman, Guy, and Jesse all went out on the ice with Goldberg to start off.

"Don't forget what team you're playing for," Jesse spat and looked at Adam and then turned his head towards me. I sat there and watched as Adam skated to face and took center with McGill.

I knew that it already wasn't going to be good. The puck dropped and as Adam went for it, McGill and Larson had squished Adam together and knocked him to the ground. The Hawks had the puck and Adam didn't hesistate to get back up, he was all ready down the ice waiting to recieve the puck. but he constantly was being blocked by Larson that he couldn't go anywhere. I was now on my feet watching because this is pathetic

Adam now had the puck and went to shoot, but got checked into the boards. They lost the puck to the Hawks and they all came zooming down the ice together, knocking everyone to the ground. I was so into the game, that the Hawks already had two points. Coach Reilly had called for McGill and Larson to meet him by the bench, i couldn't hear what he was telling him and I tried, but it was no use.

The two returned to the ice right after. Charlie started off with the puck and passed it to Jesse while Guy and Averman got close to the net. One of the Hawks stole the puck as Jesse tried passing it to Averman. Adam went on a break away spree with Charlie a couple seconds behind him. Adam took the puck and imediately turned to head to the other end. He skated quickly and had McGill behind him the entire time.

McGill came up from behind just as Adam was about to shoot and cross-checked Adam from behind. Adam fell to the ground and didn't make a movement as he fell into the net, the post hitting Adam's shoulder and neck. His stick was still in his hand and the puck had went in, making it two-one them. I was happy, but scared for Adam's sake. Larson had crouched down next to Adam to see if he was all right and McGill skated away with a smile on his face. I guess the Hawks' intention was is to knock Adam right out of the game and they got it all right.

Coach Bombay ran out on the ice as a Ref called for the paramedics. The four other boys stood together in a group next to Adam. They were huddled together, helmets off as they bowed and watched their unconscious team mate on the ground not making a simple movement. The paramedics had lifted Adam on the stretcher and he left, with a couple words of acknowledgement by Jesse. Adam was followed out by his father and the rest of us on the bench were still on our feet waiting.

The game has gone by for a little while and Coach decided to switch a couple players out. He switched Averman for Terry and they were told to do the flying 'V'. I was going to go out, but decided to wait for the very end to play because I didn't know the flying 'V'. The five boys went and Jesse had went behind the net after retrieving the puck from face off. He called out flying 'V' and all the boys joined them on the ice. He passed the puck back to some of the boys as they made a V shape and headed down the ice.

The puck came up to the front of the flying 'V' and Jesse Hall now had the puck. Everyone else did their jobs of getting the othe plaers out of the way. Jesse had went to the net, deked a player and scored. Everyone on the bench stood up and cheered and then everyone on the ice had gathered together cheering and screaming as the Hawks' heads bowed down because they were upset. Damn right, the Ducks are coming!