Page 2 of Mistletoe Face Off

As I'm toweling myself off after a shower, Coach calls the team into a huddle.

“Great game, men. We showed real grit in the third period, especially on that power play. Clarke, nice assist on the game-winner,” he says, and I acknowledge the compliment with a nod.

“Thanks, Coach,” some of the guys murmur.

“But we can’t go getting comfortable. Our defensive zone coverage was sloppy at times in the second, and it costs us, giving them too many scoring chances. We need to work on quicker transitions. Centers need to put in extra time on the dot this week to improve faceoff wins. Goaltending was solid, but we're relying too heavily on last-minute heroics. I need you to take control of the game from the get go. Got it?”

“Got it,” me and some of the guys reply.

“On another topic, as you know, it's that time of year again, which means we've got a big charity drive for Christmas coming up. Those of you who've been around for a while will know the drill. We do a full month of charity work with lots of appearances.”

Dion O’Neill groans, and Coach gives him a glare.

“And every member of the team needs to step up, which includes you, Dion,” Coach continues.

“But, Coach, I don't like Christmas,” Dion complains.

“You're such a jerk, Celine,” Chase says with a shake of his head, using the nickname Dion was given at his very first practice with the team. Let's face it, with a name like Dion, the guys had no choice in the matter.

“Yeah, Celine,” Casey, our goalie, echoes. “Where’s your Christmas spirit, man?”

“It should go on and on,” Chase adds, quoting the famousTitanicsong, and he and Casey grin as they high five one another.

“It's in the VIP section at Vinci’s,” Dion replies with a smarmy grin, naming a local nightclub, popular with the guys on the team. I might have been there once or twice myself, but that was before I got serious about wanting to be the new leader.

I can't say I like Dion all that much, but unlike Chase, I would never tell him he's a jerk. Not since I started my quest to be captain, anyway. No matter what my personal opinion of the guy is, he's a part of our team and deserves the same respect as everyone else.

“Whether or not you like Christmas is beside the point,” Coach says, “It's what we do here at the Blizzard. It’s been our tradition since before my tenure, and it’ll be our tradition long after I’m gone. I need all of you to front for whichever event you’re rostered on to. Got it?”

“Got it,” I reply along with the others.

Dion crosses his arms over his bare chest and harrumphs.

Coach ignores him. “The first event is at the Hawksworth Community Center. It’s an event for underprivileged kids, whose families can't afford to put on Christmas for them. I need you all there for this one, and that includes anyone who’s got it in their head that they don’t like Christmas.” He looks right at Dion. “It's Thursday afternoon, starting at 3:00PM sharp.”

“You can count on me, Coach,” Lorcan says in that creepy way he uses to suck up to management. “Personally, I love Christmas.”

I try not to roll my eyes. Fail. Lorcan Stanbridge always has that effect on me.

“Glad to hear it, Lorcan.” Coach dismisses the team and calls me and Lorcan over for a private chat, just the three of us.

“What's up, Coach?” I ask.

“I know you're both interested in leading the team next season,” he says, and Lorcan and I share a brief look.

There's no beating around the bush with Coach. He's a straight shooter, if ever there was one.

“What do you need?” I ask.

“Whatever it is, I'll do it, Coach,” Lorcan says eagerly.

Coach looks between us. “I need one of you to be Santa Claus for a few of the events over the next month.”

I blink at him in disbelief. I was not expecting that. “You need what now?” I ask.

“You know. Big guy, beard, slides down chimneys to deliver presents to kids on Christmas Eve?”

“We know who Santa is, but you want one of us to dress up as him?” I ask.

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