I am hovering over the bench. The scoreboard reads 4-4. The worst feeling in hockey. A tie. Well, this isn't over yet. “This is probably the most important game you have played in your hockey career. We aren't going to lose this one. Finish it.” Coach states.
We are in a shootout. Conference Tournament. Battling to have a good seed in playoffs. I try to wipe the nerves off my face. “Most important game. Most important game.” Three words I will never forget. I am watching my teammates glide down the ice. Trying to score on the other team to win the game. Anxiety sets in. Come on, just score. Miss. The team slump to their seats.
A feeling comes powering through my body. This is your time. Amelia, you will finish it. It is still tied. Missed shots followed by more missed shots. Why won’t Coach put me in? Finally, I am sick of being stuck in a tie. I look up at my coach. The look of determination. Like I am about to climb Mount Everest without looking back. Jackie just trust me. Lurking and waiting for her to call my name. “Amelia.” Finally. It's my time.
I slowly glide to my position. Center ice. The weight of the hockey season falls to my shoulders. Most important game. You got this Amelia. Waiting for the sound of the whistle I take a glance around the rink. Parents, teams, friends. They are all there. You better not mess this up, Amelia.
The whistle blows. You got this. Most important game. Making slight cuts into the ice, I skate my way down. I can feel the eyes of the rink on me. Shoot or make a move? I shoot. It's in the air. The game is in the hands of that puck. It keeps moving up. Rising like a plane takes off. Then it hits something. The back of the net. OMG AMELIA!! You did that!
Crowd goes wild. My hands go up in the air. I sprint to my team. They sprint towards me to celebrate our victory. I knew you could do it, Amelia. Hugs upon hugs. Still in disbelief that I just won the game for my team. “I am so proud of you Amelia!” “Thank you for finishing it.”
A figure starts to move towards me. My coach. She moves in for the hug. “What an amazing shot Amelia! Thank you for finishing it.”
It's safe to say both my team and my intuition won that game.