Page 271 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

The pride I carry for being a part of the team and fulfilling my dreams.

“THREE MORE MINUTES!”

The stadium is so damn loud as the cheers and chants escalate in volume.

Jayce has the puck and is attempting to take another shot at the net. Something I’ve noticed has left an odd, unsettling feeling inside my stomach is how rough and ruthless the Pincers have been in this game. Unlike their previous ones, which obviously had a few instances of dirty play, tonight’s desperation was absolute madness.

I can only assume it’s because they know they won’t get the chance to win against the Vipers, their loss growing more and more imminent than one would like to admit supporting their team.

It also meant, with this win, the Vipers haven’t lost a single game the entire season, which looks absolutely amazing to the rest of the world.

The truth of this game is no matter what happens in the finals, whether the Vipers win or lose against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they will have enough recognition of their gameplay to solidify a future in the world of hockey.

What’s also noted is if they lose, they will still qualify to be chosen among three other teams to compete against one another and enter the playoffs for the chance to win the Stanley Cup.

In all honesty, it’s truly a win-win, and now it’s settling in.

Jayce’s furious expression proves he acknowledges his team’s loss is impossible to run away from, but he’s still solely trying to get a goal, which makes his ice performance rather sloppy.

I can tell from the way he’s playing and ignoring the openings his teammates are providing him, he’s sporting tunnel vision for the sake of looking good all on his own.

Doesn’t he realize he’s doing a disservice to himself?

“What is Winchester doing?” Dimitri questions as he fixes his stethoscope that’s chilling along his neck. “There were three openings where he could have passed the puck to his teammates, and he ignored them entirely.”

“I think he’s trying to show off so he can secure his future,” I admit and shake my head. “I don’t think he realizes how counterproductive this is. Hockey is a ‘team’ sport, not an ‘I’ sport. He’s so obsessed with making himself look good, so he’ll be picked up. Why would anyone want to play with someone who’s purposely hogging the puck to get a score?”

“He’s ruining his chances,” Dimitri sighs in agreement. “Maybe he’ll get this shot?”

Jayce is speeding toward Wolfgang, who’s getting in position to block this next strike, only Ace comes out of nowhere, a blur of speed that seems to shock everyone as he steals the puck before it can reach the net and is racing the other way.

“Holy shit!” I scream just like everyone else is squealing and rooting Harvey on.

Ace passes the puck to Damien, who passes it to Maddox, then it’s back in Ace’s possession before he skids swiftly to a stop and sends the puck in the exact angle that makes the puck swerve unexpectedly into the net before the Pincer’s backup goalie can drop to the floor.

Without Oscar as their dominant goalie, it’s becoming obvious that the team may have gotten lucky to reach this far without him.

The screams of celebration are deafening, the Vipers quickly giving Ace, Maddox, and Damien praise before they’re swiftly back into it for the last minute of the game.

I can barely stay still, my whole body tingling with a different sense of euphoria as I watch my team work together to keep the puck going anywhere but in the net.

We’re holding our breath for the last thirty seconds, noticing how Ace hits the puck to go as far away from our net as he can, then skids to a stop a few feet from Wolfgang.

The other Vipers are practically celebrating, watching their competition begin to give up.

Kane manages to stop the puck swiftly, passing it to Diesel, who shoots forward with the puck, ready to do one final attempt to get a goal before the timer strikes. Watching every movement of his body, I acknowledge the momentum of his speed that makes him unpredictable as to how he’ll make the final shot. It makes me question why he was placed as a defenseman when he very well could have been a forward with such hidden speed and talent.

Unexpectedly, Jayce takes the puck from Diesel, which leaves everyone gasping in confusion. Even Diesel is stunned as he skids to a stop, making it quite obvious to everyone that the unexpected transition certainly wasn’t planned.

“What the hell?” Diesel exclaims.

“What the puck, Winchester?!” Wolfgang exclaims, his words most definitely heard by us on the benches and in the front row bleachers. “Give up, man. The game is—”

The buzzer goes off, cutting him off, but what happens simultaneously makes the stadium go from deafening loud to eerily silent.

My whole body freezes as I watch the whole thing play out, my eyes growing wide just as my jaw goes slack.

Jayce doesn’t stop.

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