The Hockey Lie

Chapter 9

EASTON

October 8

"First preseason game of the year, boys. We need to start this season off right, so I want everyone playing their hardest. I don't care if this doesn't count in our regular-season record or not. I need everyone to focus on the game 100%. No wandering minds," Coach Yeo stared directly at me as he said those last few sentences. "Got it?"

"Got it," the rest of the guys and I replied seriously.

"Good," Yeo said, satisfied with our reply. Now get dressed. We're on in two hours. With that, Yeo left us to get ready for our game. We were in Colorado, ready to take on the Avalanche. Our rivalry with the Avalanche was a stiff one, so it was bound to be a rough game. We would all be sore afterwards.

I checked my phone one last time before getting ready. There was a message from Ty. Good luck tonight. Go out there and kick some Avalanche butt. Love you, it read. I smiled to myself before placing my phone back in my locker.

I looked up as I heard someone approach me from behind. "Easton," Suter addressed me, walking up to my locker in the guest locker room.

"Yeah, Ryan?" I replied with a questioning expression on my face.

"Now, I know Yeo addressed this, but I want to make sure your head's in the right place. I know you've been missing Ty these past few months, but it's hockey season now. We need you if we're going to go places this season. We have the potential to with the Cup, but we need you to be with us all the way."

"Did the other guys put you up to this?" I questioned Suter.

"Well, yes. The other guys, especially Koivu, wanted me to talk to you. He figured I would be able to get through to you better than he would."

"Of course," I muttered under my breath.

"He just wants the best for you and the team," Suter defended our captain.

"Okay, I know I've been distracted lately, but I promise, my mind's on hockey and hockey only right now. I swear," I tried to assure Suter, but he wasn't buying it.

"I'm sorry I don't believe you completely, but come on, man. Everyone knows that you've been off all of training camp. Even Yeo notices that you're off. I hate to be the bad guy here, but you need to figure this out before regular season starts. As much as I like Ty, maybe you need to consider taking a break. It could be the best thing for both your hockey career as well as hers. She's trying to achieve her dream of playing in the NHL, and she can't do that if she's distracted. You can't achieve your dream of winning the Stanley Cup if your heart isn't completely set on it. I'm not saying break up with her, because you two can definitely find a way to make everything work. You just have to find that balance that allows you both to focus on hockey while still focusing on each other. I don't mean to go all philosophical on you, but I'm not kidding. We head you healthy and focused this year. Just think about it."

I sighed to myself as Suter returned to his own locker. I knew that Suter was right. I had been very distracted by the absence of Ty from my life. It was rough being away from her for such long periods of time. I had to figure something out, but I couldn't sort it all out right then and there. I had a hockey game to win.

***

I was on fire. I was having one of the best games of my life. I had already gotten a goal and two assists, and we were absolutely killing the Avalanche, 5-1.

"Let's go!" Parise yelled at Pominville and me. This year, the lines had been switched up a little, so I was on I like with those two. So far, the line seemed to be working out very nicely, with each of us having a goal. It appeared that we were going to be the scoring powerhouse line of the year, but then again, it was only our first preseason game.

Suter and Spurgeon were our defensemen in that particular shift, and Suter passed the puck over to Pominville. I centered myself in front of the net, but couldn't seem to get good position. Pominville looked down at me to see if there was a passing lane open, but I quickly shook my head at him and he passed the puck over to Suter.

I managed to get open for a split second, and Suter caught the opening and quickly passed the puck down to me. I turned on the puck and flipped it over the goalie's right shoulder.

"Yes!" I cheered as Parise pulled me into a hockey hug, my other teammates soon joining in.

"Nice shot, West," grinned Suter.

"Nice pass, Suter," I replied with a laugh. "That was a Ricky Rubio-esque assist there."

"He's a basketball player, you i***t," Suter laughed, slapping the back of my helmet.

"I know that, I'm not stupid!" I protested. "I was trying to compliment you!"

Suter just chuckled as we skated back to the bench along with Spurgeon, Pominville, and Parise. There were only three minutes left in the third period, so I assumed that my line wouldn't get back in the game. I had had a successful game, racking up two goals, two assists, and a lot of hits.

Once the final horn sounded, we all skated onto the ice to shake hands with the rest of our teammates.

"Good game, West," Parise complimented me.

"Thanks, Parise. You, too," I replied, clapping him on the back.

Once we were done with our on-ice celebration, we headed back to the locker room to listen to Yeo's post-game speech. "Good game, guys. Way to start out the preseason right. The only way we go from here on out is up, you hear me? Now get showered up. Our plane leaves in an hour and a half," Yeo finished.

I showered and changed into my dress clothes. As much as I disliked dressing up right after a game, I had to admit I looked good. Once I was finished changing, I threw my stuff into my bag and took out my phone. I had a congratulatory text from Ty, and I typed a quick thanks in reply.

Right before I headed out of the locker room, Suter stopped me. "Nice game tonight, Easton."

"Thanks. You fed me a really nice pass there in the third period. You were the one that made me look good there," I laughed sheepishly.

"It was a good goal," complimented Suter. "I just wanted to thank you for being focused during the game. It was wrong of me to think that you wouldn't be able to control your emotions, and I apologize for that. If you keep playing like this all season, we have a good chance of going pretty far into the playoffs."

"Thanks, Suter. I'm not as juvenile as you think," I chuckled. "We should probably head out to the bus now. We don't want to miss our flight."

"Eh, I wouldn't mind leaving you here in Colorado," Suter joked, ruffling my hair.

"Hey!" I protested.

"Get used to it, kid, you're still just a sophomore," Suter smirked.

"At least you can't call me rookie anymore," I laughed.

"Yeah, I suppose not. I'm really going to miss that."

"You'll get over it."

"I'll find a new nickname for you, and it'll make 'rookie' seem like praise," threatened Suter.

"Empty threats. You're always full of empty threats," I said, trying to rile up Suter.

"Just you wait, kid. You've got another thing coming."

"Whatever you say, Suter. Whatever you say," I chuckled.