Power Play by Jake Maddox

Author:Jake Maddox [Maddox, Jake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 978-1-4965-3673-0; 978-1-4965-3677-8; Junior Varsity; winter sports; girl athlete; physical education; PE; athletics; divorce
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2019-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

ICE RINK MELTDOWN

The second period flew by as the teams went back and forth across the ice. No one scored. Not even Mackenzie could sneak a shot into the net.

Kyla felt dizzy and exhausted from chasing the puck. She heavily huffed in and out. Her building frustration was making it even harder to breathe. By the end of the period, the score was still tied at 1–1.

The third period didn’t start out any better. Thirty seconds in, Tamika missed a drop pass from Mackenzie. By the time Tamika realized she’d skated past the puck, the Marauders had scooped it away.

“Adams!” a voice shouted above the noisy crowd.

Kyla didn’t have to turn to see who was yelling. It was Tom.

Tom charged down from the stands. “Put Fire on the ice!” he cried.

Kyla glanced at Coach Adams. The coach sat as rigid as if she’d been frozen in place.

“It’s all your fault, Tom,” Kyla hissed quietly to herself.

At the next line change, Kyla’s heart was still pounding in fury. She’d been removed as starter and was playing a position she didn’t want. She’d gotten an unfair penalty. And now Tom was butting in — again. She skated onto the ice, trying to shake off her anger.

In the defensive zone, the Marauders took a shot and missed. A Storms defender came up with the rebound and passed to Ali.

In a flash, Number 22 charged after her. As the two grappled along the boards, Kyla saw the Marauder’s stick rise above her shoulders and connect with Ali’s elbow.

FWEET! “Penalty on Marauders Number 22 for high-sticking!” the ref called.

Number 22 skated toward the penalty box. As she whizzed past Kyla, she stuck out her elbow and slammed Kyla in the shoulder.

“Unsportsmanlike conduct!” Kyla cried.

But the refs hadn’t been watching. No penalty was called.

These Marauders play dirty, Kyla thought. We have to win this game.

“Power play, Ice Storms!” the announcer called.

Kyla gripped her stick as she skated into position for the face-off. And this is our chance.

Snagging the puck, Kyla slid it to Mandi. Mandi surged toward the goal but missed, and the Marauders picked up the rebound.

Ana held off the goal attempt, dropping to the ice and putting her knees together in a butterfly position. A Storms defender spun the puck to Kyla, and she took off as fast as she could.

Kyla whipped past the blue line. The goalie was caught off guard, surprised to see Kyla coming at her with such speed.

The goal was wide open. Kyla slid her bottom hand down the stick, brought the blade behind her back leg, swept her arm forward, and flicked the puck off the blade. A perfect wrist shot.

Except it wasn’t perfect.

Ping! The puck hit the side of the cage and shot out into the stands. Kyla could only stare at the goal, totally stunned. The ref blew the whistle to stop play.

A deafening cheer rose from the Marauders fans at the missed shot. Kyla crouched forward, head in her hand, as the cheers rained down on her.

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