Page 150 of The Fine Line
The analyst. The one adding insights, context, and personality.
“Correct,” the other man grits out, hammering at his phone.
“Ray would’ve been a no-brainer,” Bryan adds. “But he flew home early for his daughter’s wedding. We thought maybe Tom could switch roles and Mick could fill in—but Mick had plans downtown and isn’t answering.”
“I can do it.”
The words come out before I can think better of it. But there’s no time to think. Warm-ups start in fifteen minutes.
“I can do color. Bryan, I’ve got it.”
“You?” the other man asks, skeptical. “Who are you?”
“Joseph, this is Caroline Barrett,” Bryan cuts in. “Storm’s rinkside reporter.”
“And you think you can handle color commentary? Live? On a national broadcast?”
“I know I can.”
Another man snorts as he joins in. “Her? Who even is she?”
“The best option you’ve got in this building,” I reply.
He scoffs. “There’s no way?—”
“Enough,” Joseph says, lifting a hand. He narrows his eyes at me. “What do you know about this game?”
“Hockey?”
“Tonight’s game. Give me some commentary.”
I take a breath. “The Storm have won seven of their last eight games?—”
“Okay, gold star,” the other guy snorts. “My five-year-old knows that. Maybe we should get him a headset.”
I keep going. “But they haven’t beaten Detroit on the road in three seasons.”
Now I have their attention.
“What do the Storm need to do to change that?” Joseph asks.
“Detroit’s penalty kill has been solid—82% over the last ten games. Normally that would give them a huge edge, but Texas has the best power play in the league right now. They’re converting at 28.7%. And with Rhett Sutton riding a four-game goal streak, they need to stay aggressive and force Detroit into the box.”
Joseph lifts an eyebrow.
“They also need to watch out for Alex Isaksson. He’s already hit the 20-goal mark for the fourth straight season, and he’s got nine points in his last five games against Texas.”
“And goaltending?” Joseph presses.
“That’s where it gets interesting. Kennedy’s been lights-out at home—1.89 GAA, .932 save percentage—but after his lower body injury in Ottawa on Thursday, Detroit’s backup is starting. Brittwall’s promising—5-1-1 so far—but he’s never played Texas. Total wildcard. On the other side, Buckner’s coming off a shutout, and in six years, he’s never lost the game immediately after a shutout.”
“Is that right?” Joseph asks.
“I’ll check?—”
“You don’t need to,” I tell the man. “It’s right.”
Joseph studies me. “You’re Jim Barrett’s daughter, aren’t you? And Sutton’s wife?”
