Part 28 - Pure Gold

I didn’t see Dion or any of the guys until the next day just before they hit the ice to take on Germany. Reggie, who was playing in what would hopefully be his only game of the tournament, blew me another kiss as he walked through the tunnel and onto the ice. I laughed and blew a kiss back at him. I laughed at D, who had his Dion-on-game-day face on so I knew not to do anything like that to him. Sid winked at me, and I blew him a kiss.

The German team was playing an obvious trap system. They obviously don’t have the skill that our boys do, but they played a hard-hitting game. They were clearly big and strong. But I knew from the look on his face that D was enjoying every minute of this game. Sidney wasn’t… the Germans were definitely gunning for him.

I sat, once again, near Ryan’s family, this time meeting his Mom, Susan and his older brother Chris. Chris and I both sipped our beers nervously as we watched the boys play. It wasn’t that they weren’t dominating the puck possession, it’s just that they weren’t able to get through the trap that the Germans had set up.

After what seemed like forever, they guys FINALLY managed to get on the scoreboard. True it was only 10 minutes of game time, Andy scored his second of the tournament giving Canada a 1-0 lead. “Fuck that took them long enough.” I muttered taking a long swig of my beer.

Chris laughed. “Totally.” He said. “So my little brother said you used to party with him a lot.”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t party with him, I partied at the same places he did. You mouthy Saskatchewan boys sure think highly of themselves.” I said. “We partied at a lot of the same places when I was still in school and he was, like 17. Even last year I still went to Calgary a lot and ran into Ryan all the time.”

At that moment , less then 50 seconds after the last goal, the partisan crowd, in the USA or not, erupted as Clarke McArthur scored from D and Fraz. Chris and I stood and cheered. “REBELS FOR LIFE BABY!!” I yelled loudly.

Chris laughed. “Rebels for life?” He asked eyebrows raised.

“I’m a Red Deer girl honey.” I replied. “I’ve known Dion and Colin since they started playing there, and our favourite thing to yell at random times is Rebels for Life.”

He laughed. “Interesting.”

Chris was a bigger guy then Ryan, but totally cute, and he was more my age. Plus he’d be someone I could hang out with when the boys were busy. Chris and I kept on talking, turns out he plays for a junior football team back in Regina, as the Germans once again set up their trap. About 6 minutes later though they took two quick penalties, one for tripping, the other for high sticking. With a two-man advantage the crowd knew that it was only a matter of time before Team Canada scored again.

A minute into the first penalty Sidney scored. I jumped up out of my seat. “Way to go Sidney!” I yelled before whispering to myself. “Good job sweetie.” Then I yelled again as the assists were posted. “Rebels for Life! Way to go D-fense!”

Chris shook his head and laughed. “This is probably a really stupid question, but are you enjoying yourself here?” He asked.

“Sort of.” I replied as Canada’s power play continued with the first penalized player returning to the ice. “I mean, the guys are great, but they’re busy with the press, so I get a little bored. I mean, the other day when Sid, D and Mikey were doing press and Brent was in physio Getter came and hung out with me. If he hadn’t I would have nearly died of boredom.”

Chris chuckled. “I’m sure Ryan did his best to keep you amused.” He said with a wink.

“Umm I think you have the wrong idea.” I said. “I’m totally not into any of the guys here like that, well maybe one, but nothing is going happen right now. Though Reggie kisses really well.”

“You’ve kissed the goalie?” He asked.

“No, the goalie kissed me.” I replied as Cam Barker scored from Brent to make the score 4-0.

“Way to go Brent!” I yelled loudly. “Good job Cam! Got to love them Central ‘Dub boys!”

“I’ll drink to that.” Chris replied. “Since my brother is one of them.”

“Cheers.” I said, clinking plastic cups with him before taking a nice long swig. “Well as Getter was telling me there are seven of them here, D, Fraz, Brent, Cam, Clarke, Andy, and RyRy of course. So that’s fairly impressive.”

“Very.” He replied, nodding seriously.

The crowd groaned collectively as Shea Weber took a penalty at the end of the first. But with the score 4-0, none of us were all that concerned. The second period was fairly quiet. 6 and a ½ minutes in, Getter scored a goal from Patrice and D. “Got to love mouthy Saskatchewan boys!” I yelled loudly enough for Getter to hear as he skated past the bench, sending me a grin as he did so.

“There has to be a story behind that.” Chris said, looking interested.

“There’s a story behind everything Ryan and I say and do when we’re together.” I replied, finishing off my fourth beer. “Unfortunately, Ryan doesn’t remember most of it.”

Chris laughed. “That sounds like my little brother.”

After a couple of close to goal shots, the Germans switched goaltenders. The move didn’t pay off at all. Less then 3 minutes after they made the change Anthony Stewart scored on a nice feed from Nigel Dawes. We cheered loudly, then watched in disgust as Germany once again established their trap. “Want another beer?” Chris asked.

“That sounds like a great idea.” I said standing. “Let’s go.” I paused. “You are 21 right?”

He laughed. “I was actually going to ask you the same question.” He said. “But then I remembered what you said about being done University.”

I laughed. “So do you go to school?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Umm kinda, sometimes.” He said. “I want to play for the Rams, the University team someday.”

I nodded. “Cool.”

“So what are you doing tonight?” He asked.

“Absolutely nothing.” I said. “Maybe hanging out with the guys because they have tomorrow off, but that’s about it.”

He nodded. “What about New Year’s Eve?” He asked as he insisted on paying for the drinks. “I’ve got it.”

“Thanks.” I replied taking the plastic cup from him. “I’m not sure yet. The boys will probably want to hang out for awhile because they have a couple of days off after the Finland game.”

“Come get drunk with me.” He invited. “I mean, it’s not like we have anything better to do.”

“True.” I said, sipping my drink as we slowly made our way back to our seats. “But I do need to see what D and the guys are planning tonight. I mean, I could always hang out with them for an hour or so before we go off to get loaded right?”

“Yeah sure.” He said, sipping his drink. “But I know I’m getting bored just hanging out with my parents.”

I laughed and shoved him playfully, the same way I would with Getter. “Like that’s all you’ve been doing.”

He rolled his eyes. “Actually, sadly, it is all that I’ve been doing. That and hanging out with other older and/or younger relatives. I’m going to go nuts pretty soon.”

“Well then, I have to go see the boys after the press conference… D is kind of protective of me.” I explained. “So he’ll want to make sure I can get back to the hotel okay and we’ll make plans for later.”

“You’re in the same hotel as the team right?” He asked.

“Yeah.” I said.

“What room?” He asked. “I’ll call you later and we’ll get together.” He said.

I thought for a second. “I have no clue what number it is.” I said with a laugh. “I just know where it is. Why don’t you come and hang out with us for awhile?” I asked. “I mean, I usually hang out with D, Sidney, Mikey, Fraz, Brent and your brother. Andy or Cam or Clarke or Patrice sometimes join us, and Reggie likes to flirt with me from time to time. Tonight he should come to brag a little about the win.”

“You mean you actually hang out with these guys on a regular basis?” He asked.

“I have been yeah.” I said. “Coach apparently likes me. It’s not like we’ll be with them for too long. We won’t be like, distracting them or anything. All they really do is harass me and play Madden.”

“Sounds like fun.” He said as we returned to our seats. “I’ll be there.”

“Cool.” I said with a smile as I sat down, taking another sip of my drink as I did so. Once again I had a pleasant buzz going.

We sat back to watch the game. Canada was leading 6-0, and clearly they were in command of this entire affair. The Germans were frustrated and clearly outmatched even if they’d managed to keep the Canadians stuck in the neutral zone. It took nearly 8 minutes, but after killing not one, but two penalties (one to Corey Perrry and one to Cam Barker) Anthony Stewart scored his second of the game on a nice pass from Getter.

4 minutes later (after everyone around me had jumped up and cheered of course) Sidney took a shitty penalty for charging. After Canada managed to kill it off, Sid came back on the ice and scored another goal (his 5th of the tourney) to make the score 8-0. To finish things off, Fraz hit the score sheet again, scoring his first of the tournament to put the final nail in the German’s coffin.

With the game won handily I headed downstairs with the Getzlaf’s to see the guys. Of course, both Sidney and Dion were unavailable. They we’re with the press. So was Ryan, so was Reggie, and so was Fraz. So I wandered over to Brent. “How’s the shoulder feeling hun?” I asked, as I watched him move in gingerly.

He shrugged, and I could see that that even that motion was hurting him. I shook my head as he said. “It’s fine Drew.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah I know. Go to physio.” I told him firmly. “Get it iced down.”

“Yes ‘Mom’.” He teased me.

I shrugged. “Sometimes I think you guys need like, a team Mom to keep you all in line.”

He laughed. “Probably.”

Just then, Reggie came up to me and tried to hug me. “EW Beauchemin!” I cried, disgusted. “I don’t hug when you smell.” Reggie grinned wickedly, winked at Brent, and hugged me anyway. “REGGIE!” I cried irritated wiping sweat off of me.

He grinned down at me. “Tu m’aimes Drew.”

I shook my head and continued to try and wipe sweat off me. “You are disgusting.” I replied sharply.

“Here Drew.” Sidney said, kissing me on the cheek as he handed me a towel.

“Thanks sweetie.” I replied gratefully. “You played well tonight.”

“Thanks.” He replied wincing as he sat down.

Alarm bells went off in my head. I leaned down, and put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright Sidney?” I whispered into his ear, aware that there were press people all over the place.

He looked up at me, his big brown eyes pleading with me. “I’m fine Drew.” He replied, pulling away from me.

I looked at him. “If you say so.” I replied with a shrug, knowing full well that he wouldn’t tell me anything until he was good and ready. “Umm I should get going back to the hotel, Chris and I are going to go out later….” I trailed off, realizing what I said and expecting him to get upset with me.

“Who’s Chris?” Sidney asked, sounding curious not angry or upset the way he had earlier, much to my surprise.

“Getter’s brother.” I told him. “We’re both a little bored… not that its your guys’ fault that I’m bored, I mean I knew you’d all be busy, but I decided to come anyway, and well, Chris suggested we go out and get….” I trailed off again, realizing that I was just rambling.

“Have a good time.” Sidney replied nonchalantly.

“I will.” I said, feeling confused. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“If you’re not too hung over sure.” Sidney replied. “Have fun.”

So, feeling completely and totally confused over this apparent 360 in behaviour, I wandered over to Chris Getzlaf, ready to go back to the hotel room change, and then get ready to go out and have a good time.