Game Plan by Amy Aislin

Author:Amy Aislin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amy Aislin

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Coachella Valley was a new AHL team. Brand new. As in, this was their first season.

That didn’t mean they weren’t a formidable team.

They’d won their first two regular season games against Calgary last weekend, while the Orcas had lost both of theirs against Ontario.

Matt refused to let that get his players down.

Since Coachella Valley’s games against Calgary had been away games, tonight was technically their season home opener, and the game was sold out. It meant that they were determined to win in front of a very loud and very excited hometown crowd.

Matt was just as determined that they didn’t.

“What did we talk about yesterday on the bus ride from the airport?” Matt asked minutes before the pregame warmup. His guys had their serious faces on, and while serious was good, it wasn’t everything.

“Winning,” Lindstrom answered.

Matt nodded. His players sat in front of their stalls, fully suited and ready to play. In the centre of the room was a round bench currently holding bottled waters, Gatorade, and various snacks. Hands shoved in his pockets, Matt slowly walked around it, meeting everyone’s eyes for a brief moment. “What else?”

“Controlling the game,” said McNicoll.

“Right. What else?”

“Being there for your teammates,” Jason Gauthier said quietly, hitting on where Matt was trying to get them.

“Bingo. And what do you think I meant by that? Because it sure as shit wasn’t about lending a shoulder to a teammate who just broke up with their boyfriend or girlfriend.”

They chuckled, serious expressions wiped away.

“Aw, but Nasser’s shoulder is so soft.” Toussaint snuggled into him, resting his cheek on Nasser’s padded shoulder.

Nasser patted his head.

“It’s about putting in the effort, so our teammates don’t have to pick up our slack,” Brawsiski piped in.

“And about being where your teammate expects you to be on the ice,” Walters finished.

“Exactly.” Matt sat on the bench. “Winning is awesome. But to get there, you have to show up for each other first.” Leaning his elbows on his knees, he sat forward. “For those of you who were on this team last year—which was most of you—it probably sucked coming in last. I know none of you want a repeat of that, and if I had to guess, starting out this season with a couple of losses is giving you flashbacks. You’re no doubt thinking that this year will be a repeat of last year.”

The guys were silent, actively avoiding his gaze by picking at the knees of their uniforms or at the tape on their sticks.

“Trust me when I tell you that I don’t want that either. We are going to win games. We’re not going to come in last. And I know that because each of you has shown up and been there for each other from the get-go. Even when you’re passing-out sick.” Without turning, he pointed to a player on his right. “Yeah, I’m talking about you, Gauthier.”

Snickers interrupted him for several seconds before they quieted.

“That’s what I want you to focus on tonight. We all want to win, but shift your mindset.

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