Page 113 of Skating the Blue Line
That’s all that I wanted.
We were good and even with rumors of ownership change, we were going to play the best damn season that we could to get to the top.
As the season started and we played game after game, I started feeling it in my bones that this year was going to be our year. That we were going to pull out all the stops and show the NHL world that the Knights were worthy of the cup once again.
We had a few setbacks with an injury or two, a suspension mixed in, but our season turned out to be better than anyone could have hoped.
We’ve been able to stay at the top of our division all season long. We’ve been in the top two of our conference since January. And when April hit, we were able to make it to the playoffs.
First round was a fucking breeze, as we beat Arizona four games to one, and for the first time in years we made it to round two.
The team was electric, and the fans were optimistic that we would be able to beat out Dallas.
We got our asses kicked in games one and two but somehow were able to get our momentum back and take the series in four games.
It took us almost the whole damn existence of the franchise but the Chicago Dark Knights were finally able to make it to conference finals.
Was beating out Los Angeles easy? Fuck no. Those assholes made us sweat, cry and bleed. They tried taking everything that we had, but we hit them harder.
One key point was that Los Angeles lost one of their goalies in game three so they were functioning with one player in that position and it hurt them.
We took the series in game seven and it felt so damn good.
Our next stop was the finals against Florida and we were fucking ready.
Like LA, those fuckers have not made it easy. Every single game has been a back and forth and has ended in a handful of penalties and injuries.
During game four, Blake ended up with a broken nose and Christian ejected from the game for going after the player that punched Blake.
It was a fucking shit show and somehow, we still came out with the win.
But Florida forced game seven, and now we are minutes away from playing the last game of the season.
82 games and 25 playoff games, have all come down to this.
And the best thing about it is, we’re playing on home ice. We just have to make sure we go through every single superstition like we depend on it, and play like this is the last game we will ever play.
Are the Knights going to win? I don’t but I’m doing everything in my power to make it happen. But I’m not going to say the words until I know for sure it’s going to happen.
But playing at home is a good thing.
Another good thing about being in Chicago for game seven is Chloe.
Her date was two days ago, and the baby is still not here.
A part of me was worried that I would miss the birth but it seems like my baby girl is going to continue to torture her mom until all of this is over.
Chloe has been in the arena for every home playoff game, and while she’s not behind the glass in the first row like she was during the regular season, she’s still here and it means the absolute world to me.
She’s been very much my good luck charm this season. Hopefully her good luck stays with me throughout tonight because I’m gonna really need it.
The whole damn team is going to need it.
“One more game.” Christian says coming over and slapping me against the shoulder. He’s been doing it all playoff season and once a hockey player start something and it continues to go good, he will do it till the day he dies.
“One more game.” I say, giving my best friend a nod before he walks away.
“Hey, Cap?” Blake calls out, catching me as I go grab my stick.
