Chapter 17

I went up the stairs and got ready for bed, I put on some nice relaxing music and I waited until the phone line was free again. I heard movement on the stairs so I shouted to Sidney that I was in my room just to come up. I had been sitting under the covers with my book although I didn’t even turn the page, I couldn’t concentrate.

“Gill, can I stay here tonight? Mario has apologised to me but I think it would do us both good if I didn’t go home tonight, I have spoken to him and he understands that I don’t want to see him just now”.

I told him where to find shorts which I keep in the house in case any of the boys come up with an injury and to just come back here. He could sleep in my bed. Cuddling up to friend might make him fall asleep easier although I knew that it would not be easy for me but right now I needed to support him as a friend and put my feelings to the back of my mind.

He came back up and cuddled into me and we lay as we had done in New York last night – right now it seemed like a life time ago. I wanted to talk to him about what Mario had said to him but I did not think tonight was the right time especially when we had such an early start.

When the alarm went off Sidney was slightly cheerier but very apprehensive, he knew he had a big day ahead of him and his team and we both knew he still had a lot on his mind.

We had breakfast and headed away to the Melon Arena. The first person we saw on arrival was Mario and he asked me if he could have a few minutes with Sidney before training began.

I went on ahead of them and got ready for the team arriving, one by one the team entered the ice, they were all getting themselves pumped up for the big game tonight.

There is a lot of expectations for the Pittsburgh Penguins this year after winning the Stanley Cup last season. I know they can do it, I have so much faith in them but Sidney’s mind is just not in the right place today after his argument with Mario and that really worries me.

The training session and practice game went well and even Sidney played excellently, if they play tonight like they did in training then they have a very high chance of winning.

Before the game a team meal was prepared within the arena. Everyone was very quiet but I could see there was an unsaid confidence about them. At the end of the meal, Sidney, Mario, Michel and myself all did team talks. They all had the same outcome:

“Throughout the regular season you have been the best team in the NHL. You are going to go out there tonight and every other night that we have a game and play 60 minutes of hockey to the best or your ability – we have faith that you can take it all the way again this year and lift that cup for the second year running!!”.

I headed down to my usual spot at the end of the bench to watch the game and be on hand in case of any injuries. The physiotherapist that I learnt from is no longer with us so that is another task to add to my long list of duties.

The boys came out of the dressing room with such confidence. The Melon Arena is full and has an amazing atmosphere. I hope each and every one of those boys are so proud of themselves.

“And he scores….”

“And what a shot that was…”

“He does it again – what a GOAL…”

“GOOOOOAAAAAALLL!!!!”

What a game, 3-0 penguins and it could have been so much more. I head down to the changing room to tell the players how proud I am of them when I got asked to do a TV interview. I hope Mum is watching, she will be so proud.

“Guys that was amazing. What a game, you should all be so proud. If you play like that every night then these teams will not know what has hit them – keep up the good work lads”.

I said my good nights to the team and told Sidney that I will meet him out in the car to give him a lift home.

All the way home he is as high as a kite, telling me all about what happened when he was on the ice, I sometimes think he forgets that I am sitting watching it.

“Gill, can I come back to yours for a hot chocolate?”

“Eh, yes of course you can” I answer nervously.