Ice Time (7 page)

“He’s yours,” Rocket said to Goldsy, nodding to the defenceman.

“Just win it back,” Goldsy growled.

Rocket flushed and bent down for the faceoff. Sure, rookies don’t tell vets what to do. But as centre, it was his job to make sure everyone knew what they had to do after the draw.

The puck dropped. Their sticks flashed — Rocket’s a touch faster. The puck slid to the corner. His defenceman retrieved it and headed around the net. Rocket drifted to the slot. That felt good. A clean win, late in the third, on a critical draw in their own end.

The defenceman fired it up the wall.

Rocket groaned. The puck clipped the linesman’s skate and stayed in. Goldsy and the Ravens’ right defenceman arrived at the puck at the same time. The defenceman tied Goldsy up, while his right winger dug the puck out. He turned and drifted backwards toward the blue line.

“I got him,” Goldsy called out.

Rocket stayed in the high slot, keeping a wary eye on the left defenceman in case he tried to sneak down low. The Ravens’ right winger held the puck until Goldsy got close, and then he flipped it to the right defenceman, who had stayed at the hash marks against the boards. The left defenceman took off, and Rocket turned and got a stick on him to slow him down. The defenceman stopped and went back to the point.

Rocket felt good about that defensive play. The right defenceman gave the puck to the winger at the point, and Rocket drifted back to the high slot. He had a feeling the Ravens’ winger and defenceman were uncomfortable having switched positions. He bet they’d move the puck to the other side of the ice so they could switch back. Rocket snuck a quick look behind him. The Racers defence were doing a good job keeping the Ravens from setting up in front of the net. Rocket cheated a few steps toward the point and hoped the Ravens would make a mistake.

The winger held the puck, his head up looking for an open man. He faked a pass to the right defenceman. Goldsy extended his stick to cut that off. The right defenceman backed up into the corner. The Racers’ left defenceman took a few steps in that direction also. Rocket waited. It was going to happen. He knew it. The winger was getting nervous about holding the puck so long. The winger took another quick look down the wall — and then he passed it across the blue line to the left defenceman.

Rocket was on the left defenceman like a shot. The left defenceman didn’t even try to control it. Instead, he chipped it to the boards to Rocket’s right and retreated from the line. Rocket cut over to the right to snare the puck off the boards and headed up-ice, Goldsy with him on the left.

A two-on-one on the penalty kill. Rocket tried to keep his emotions in check. They needed to make this count.

“Rockwood, change!” Barker screamed.

Rocket hesitated.

“Change!”

Rocket passed to Goldsy and headed to the bench. He heard a groan and turned in time to see the Ravens with the puck storming into the Racers’ zone. C.C. flew over the boards. Goldsy came back over next, and Rory took his spot.

“Where’d you go?” Goldsy said to Rocket angrily. “I passed back to you.”

“Barker called me off,” Rocket said.

Goldsy’s expression changed. “Okay … But next time, tell me,” he said.

Rocket made his way to the middle of the bench and sat next to Rogers. The Ravens had control of the puck to the goalie’s left at the half-boards.

Barker grabbed Rocket by the inside edge of his shoulder pads. “You don’t abandon a guy on a two-on-one. Have you ever played before? You cost us a chance at a short-handed goal, and now look — the puck’s back in our end.”

The Ravens got a shot on net from the point. The goalie kicked it to the corner with a pad save. Rory retrieved the puck, whirled, and lofted the puck over the defence and down the ice. Rocket closed his eyes and leaned his head back. At least they hadn’t scored.

He felt a glove tap his leg.

“He called you off,” Rogers said gruffly.

“Umm, yeah. Maybe I should’ve stayed on …” Rocket managed.

Rogers shrugged. “Maybe he shouldn’t have called you off.”

“He’s a doorknob,” Downey said. “Who calls for a change on a two-on-one? So dumb.”

Both of them looked away. Rocket didn’t follow up. He felt better. At least two of the guys had heard Barker, and they didn’t seem to like him, either. But it was clear Barker wasn’t going to let up on Rocket, and he had all of the power.

It seemed like Barker was winning this battle, but Rocket intended to win the war. Though, at this point, he had no idea how.

Rocket glided over to the boards, dragging his right skate behind him. Usually his nerves were going crazy before a game. But if the Ravens game was any indication, his line wouldn’t see much ice time tonight. This was a three-line team. Too bad, too: he’d gotten Ritchie and the kids some tickets. They were good seats — just up behind the players’ bench.

Then Rocket had an idea.

He grabbed a puck off the bench and hopped up to talk to them.

“How do you like the view?” he said.

“They’re awesome seats,” Rafa said, his eyes bright and full of joy. “It’s like we’re on the ice.”

Rocket laughed. “We could use you. The Marlies are a good team.”

“Show him the sign,” Ritchie said.

Leona and Rafa unrolled a banner.

We
The Rocket

“That’s great, guys! Thanks.” He felt bad they wouldn’t have much reason to show it. “That deserves a puck.” Rocket tossed one to Rafa.

“What about me?” Leona said.

“I’ll get you one after the game,” Rocket said. “A brand-new one.”

“I want a brand-new one, too,” Rafa said.

“That one is just as special,” Ritchie said. “It’s been used by real players.” He laughed. “Now say thank you, and let Bryan get back to his game.”

“Thanks, Rocket Man!” the kids chorused.

Rocket waved and they sat back down in their seats.

“Is that the famous Bryan ‘The Rocket’ Rockwood?”

“Megan? You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

She stood up on a seat so she could lean over the glass. “André and Maddy wanted to surprise you, and at the last second they couldn’t come. So, I thought I’d just drive up and watch.”

“Tell me next time. I could’ve scored some tickets,” he said.

She held up her ticket stub. “I managed to score my own. Have a great game. Can we meet for a bit after?”

“Sure. Wait in the lobby.” He heard the Zamboni coming on. “Got to get ready. Sorry,” he said.

“Bring it,” she mouthed.

He laughed and headed back across the ice to the dressing room.

“Yo, Rocket. Big game, bro,” Crawford called. He was leaning over the overhead railing, and he held out his hand as Rocket came under it.

Rocket gave it a slap with his glove.

“Tell McGill to get you on the power play,” Chaz said.

“I’ll try,” Rocket said with a grin.

“Kiss the cup, bro,” Crawford said.

Rino lowered his tinfoil Stanley Cup hat. Rocket felt silly, but he gave it a peck. The boys let out a huge whoop.

Griff dangled his scarf, and Rocket gave it a tug as he went by. He was still chuckling at their antics as he opened the dressing-room door.

“I’m glad the game is such a joke,” Barker said to him.

Rocket forced a smile. He took his spot next to Rory.

“Can you grab me some water?” Rory asked. He was stretching his right leg, and he looked to be in a bit of pain.

Rocket went over to the far wall, filled a cup and handed it to him.

Rory nodded in thanks and popped something in his mouth. He finished the water. “Don’t know why, but the knee’s tightened up on me,” he said. He stretched his leg out again and put a bottle in his backpack. Then he slapped Rocket’s thigh. “I think you’re going to have a big game tonight.”

“You mean, I might be on for a whole shift?” Rocket joked.

“He can’t go with three lines the entire year, especially not with Terrence Day as the third centre. He doesn’t have the fitness or the speed,” Rory said in a low voice. “Some of the guys think McGill’s nervous about getting fired, so he wants to put some wins together to buy himself some time. That’s why he’s double-shifting C.C. so much. Floyd thinks we have a championship team. I’m not sure.”

“Winning is the name of the game,” Rocket said.

“Yeah, but Floyd doesn’t strike me as a guy who’d recognize talent if it hit him in the face. I’m only here because I know Kaufman from way back. I mean, why bring Day in? Strauss is a good winger. He’s just not a centre. And if they keep double-shifting C.C., he’s going to wear down. You wait and see. It’s a long season, and he can’t play every power play and penalty kill, plus take a regular shift — not with only three lines. No one can.”

“Listen up, ladies,” Barker said. “Mr. Floyd wants to talk to you.”

Rory stretched his leg out. He took a deep breath.

“Good win in the opener,” Floyd said. “I thought the goal they scored was a bit soft.”

“Total gimme,” Barker said.

“I wasn’t totally thrilled with the effort level, either,” Floyd continued. “Guys who don’t pay the price won’t be here too long.”

C.C. stayed silent, but his eyes flashed angrily. Most of the guys had their heads down. Rory continued to massage his knee.

“That puck is ours — every shift,” Floyd said. “We grind it out and play physical.”

“True dat,” Barker said.

Rocket spun his helmet in his hands. He needed to make something happen when his chance came, even if it was one shift. He needed to get noticed. It would also be nice to show Ritchie and the kids — and Megan — a little something.

Nadav came in. “Zamboni is almost off. Ref told me we’re ready.”

Floyd threw his hands in the air. “This kid is an interrupting machine. I guess you didn’t notice I was talking again?”

Nadav swallowed heavily. “Sorry, Mr. Floyd. Coach McGill asked me to tell him when—”

“Guess they don’t teach manners in your country,” Floyd said.

“This
is
my country,” Nadav said, not backing down this time.

Floyd snorted in disgust. “Whatever. Mack, get these boys fired up. I want a win tonight.” He spun on his heel and left.

McGill looked around the room slowly. His eyes burned brightly. “You heard the man — win.”

“All right, let’s go,” Barker yelled, clapping a few times.

The goalies led them out. Rory did a couple of knee bends.

“Did it loosen up?” Rocket said.

“Yeah … Maybe I was dehydrated,” Rory said. “I got to remember to drink more water. Remind me, okay?”

“Yeah, sure,” Rocket said.

Rory was acting kind of weird, like he was embarrassed about something. Rocket figured he didn’t like to draw attention to his knee.

They punched gloves and Rory headed out. Rocket waited until all the players were gone.

“You heard the man,” Rocket said to himself. “Win.”

He went down the hallway. He could hear the crowd cheering. Ritchie, Rafa, Leona, Megan, they were all out there to cheer for him.

It was time to prove he could do better than fourth line in the AHL.

Tweet!

C.C.’s shoulders slumped, and he skated to the bench. McGill had been double-shifting him all game, and he looked exhausted.

“Faceoff in their zone,” Barker said. “Suck it up, C.C.”

C.C.’s face was pale. “Tweaked my groin. I got to stretch it out.”

“What a year,” McGill huffed. “This is all I need.” He looked down the bench.

Kaufman leaned over and said something to him.

“Rockwood, take C.C.’s spot until we figure this out,” McGill said.

“Look alive for once, Rockwood, and don’t do anything stupid,” Barker said to him. “Pull the puck back to the point, then go look for a rebound.”

Rogers and Downey stared glumly at their skates. Rocket felt bad. He knew how much they wanted to play. It had been killing him to just watch, too.

Rocket hopped the boards and darted to the faceoff on the goalie’s left.

“You got this,” Rory said. He settled into his rightwing spot against the boards.

“Is Beauclair hurt, too?” Goldsy said. He looked over to the bench.

The referee blasted his whistle. The linesman squatted and held the puck out. Rocket quickly adopted a reverse grip. No time to assess the other centre. He’d have to play it straight. Barker was right. Pull it back to his defenceman, then charge the net.

“You got this,” Rory said, louder this time.

Rocket shot him a puzzled glance. Rory nodded to the corner. He wanted Rocket to punch it there to set up a cycle. The centre put his stick down. Decision time. Play it safe or try Rory’s idea? Rocket switched to a regular grip and put his stick down — when had listening to Barker ever paid off?

The puck dropped. Rocket whacked it into the corner. Rory slipped past the defenceman and collected it. The centre turned and dropped to one knee. Rory saucered the puck over the guy’s stick to Rocket, who took it at the faceoff dot.

Goldsy pushed against the defenceman in front of the net and held his stick out for a pass. Rocket took a step forward. The left winger threw himself to the ice, and the goalie dropped into his butterfly.