THE DREAD IN THE PIT OF DREW’S STOMACH WOULDN’T go away. Despite he and his team having had one hell of a pep talk in the locker room before the game about this being just another game, they all knew what kind of game this was.
Another goddamn road game.
And as soon as they took the ice, it was as if New Jersey already knew they could take this game away from them.
There was nothing like having the hometown crowd in your corner cheering you on. Typically he ignored the boos from the fans of his opponents. It was only natural for them to want their team to win, and the Travelers stood in their way. Fortunately, because New Jersey was so close, a lot of the die-hard Travelers fans often came to watch them, so he soaked in the cheers of their fans as they were introduced.
They’d need every ounce of fan energy tonight for this game.
It’s just a game, just like any other game. He tried to remember Bill’s advice, tucked it inside him so he’d just focus on the game, not the location.
He lined up against New Jersey’s defender and when the puck dropped, that was it. It was game time and everything else got shoved into the back of his head. He could no longer hear the crowd noise, whether they were cheering or booing. The only thing that mattered was getting to the puck and lighting up the net.
He and Trick were in sync tonight, their passes were on the mark, and when Drew scored the first goal, he was pumped, every part of him feeling as if they could turn this around.
At least until New Jersey scored three minutes after his goal.
Shit.
But they battled back, Trick forcing the puck on a breakaway. Sweat pouring down his back, Drew skated like his life depended on it, the defender right on his skates as he made his way to the New Jersey goal. He got the puck, passed it to Trick, who shot it between the goalie’s legs.
Another goal, and Drew felt the momentum building. No one was going to take it away from them tonight. They were going to win this game.
At the end of the second period, they were tied. The coach told them they looked outstanding, and they were better than New Jersey. There was no reason they couldn’t take the win.
Drew felt the same way. Avery’s thigh had mostly healed and despite having two goals scored against him tonight, his reflexes were better than they’d been in weeks. His save percentage was off the charts tonight, especially with New Jersey being so aggressive at the net. The defenders were fierce, and the Travelers offense was determined. They were meshing like never before. This was their night.
When Drew and Trick came off the ice for a breather, Sayers and Litman came on, skating like they were on fire. They shot a goal right into the net between two defenders and the whole team lit up.
Drew and Trick did the same when they came back onto the ice, and suddenly they were up two goals with a minute and a half left. All they had to do was avoid penalties and keep the defense strong. There was no way they could lose this game.
Now Drew tuned into the Travelers fans who’d made the trip. Despite being in the minority at the stadium, they were pumped. And loud. He tuned into that noise and he and Trick went on the attack, double-teaming a defender. They fought against the boards for the puck, Trick coming up with it and heading toward the goal. Drew stayed in position while Trick, surrounded by defenders, sailed the puck across the ice to him.
Drew took the shot but the goalie deflected it. New Jersey’s defender took it and handed it off, which meant, with the clock ticking down, they had to rely on their defense.
New Jersey took a couple shots on goal, but missed.
The buzzer sounded.
And goddamn if the Travelers hadn’t won a road game.
The team took center ice and celebrated as if they’d won the championship. But it was a big win, and one they’d worked hard for. A giant monkey off their back, and Drew hoped now they could move past it and play every game—at home or away—like he knew they could.
There was a lot of chatter in the locker room, as well as the inevitable media, who had to give them shit about winning their first road game of the season and what it all meant. Drew, as well as the rest of the players, downplayed it, saying it was just another win. But all the guys knew what a big deal this had been, and what it had meant for the team. It was a huge confidence booster, and Drew was convinced this win was going to turn things around.
“Hogan,” one of the assistants hollered from across the locker room. “You have a visitor.”
Drew frowned. “Who is it?”
“Some hot-looking chick. Carolina, she said her name was.”
Lots of ooohs and whistles. Drew rolled his eyes.
Carolina was here? In New Jersey? “I’ll be right out.”
“Carolina came to your road game?” Trick asked. “It must be serious.”