Part 34 - Pure Gold

In case you care, and I’m sure you do, since Canada had to face the winner of that game, the Czech Republic, back stopped by Marek Schwartz, managed to pull out a 3-0 win over the Finns, meaning that they would play Canada the next day. The next day I dragged. I wasn’t sure what was going on in Sidney’s head and I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, or if I was supposed to do anything.

Once again though, I knew that I had to go to the game. For one thing it was the semi-final game. There was no way that I could not go. I’d come to Grand Forks to watch hockey, not to start a relationship. I had to get my head and my heart wrapped around it so that I could go to the arena and enjoy the game.

The game was another early one, so around 3, I headed over to the arena with a contingent of Canadian hockey fans (well mainly I went with Dane and Chris and couple of old people that we didn’t know) to watch the warm up. I was bound and determined to have a good time and to cheer on the boys despite my own misgivings about my personal life.

“You feeling better?” Chris asked with a wicked grin not long after we sat down.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “You weren’t much better.” I replied.

Chris shrugged. “Yeah well, I didn’t pass out the minute I got back to my room.”

It was my turn to shrug. “That wasn’t the worst of it. The puking the next morning wasn’t even the worst of it. Heck the dry heaving was okay compared to watching you dance.” I joked.

“That was an over share.” Dane informed me.

“You’ll survive honey.” I told him firmly. “Besides there will come a day when you are 18 and not in high school and D and I will take you out and get you plastered and then you will want me or your brother to be there to hold your hair.”

Dane just rolled his eyes at me as Chris laughed. The guys were on the ice warming up, and I couldn’t help but watch Sidney. I knew that he was still hurting. I also knew that he didn’t want anyone to know about it. So I didn’t say anything to Chris or Dane, even though I was dying to ask them if they thought Sidney was labouring out there.

No one around us was saying anything, and Canadian hockey fans tend to notice things like that, so I guess Sidney wasn’t labouring and I was just imagining things, or looking for things that weren’t there I guess. Chris and Dane joked around during most of the warm up, not really noticing that I was being overly quiet. I was glad, because I didn’t want to explain.

The game, and this time a real parade to the penalty box began not long after. Less then 40 seconds into the game Canada got their first power play opportunity when one of the Czechs took a penalty for interference. Less then a minute into that penalty D was sent to the box for hooking, and the player he hooked (it wasn’t really a hook if you ask me, but I’ve been told that I’m biased), took a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Then, as soon as the first Czech penalty ended, and with just under a minute left in the minor penalties to D and the guy he supposedly “hooked” another Czech player took a penalty. This time it was for high sticking and he gave Canada another power play opportunity.

Unfortunately it was like the first, and the guys weren’t able to capitalize. The Czech team was matching up well against Canada and the goalie was playing well (which was actually something that Dion and I had talked about after the game, how Schwartz was going to be the biggest problem for Team Canada). Less then 2 minutes after the second Czech penalty, Braydon Coburn took a penalty for holding giving the Czech’s a man advantage.

Less then 2 minutes after Team Canada managed to kill off that penalty Shea Webber took HIS place in the box, this time for roughing. (See what I mean about the parade to the penalty box?) It was now just over 10 minutes into the first period and while there had been scoring chances in both ends of the ice, the goalies had held the fort. All of the Canadian fans were enjoying the game, but I know that everyone was starting to worry when we got past the 15-minute mark and Canada hadn’t scored.

That was the longest that the boys had been held off the score sheet in the entire tournament. Shortly after that, with less then 4 minutes to play in the first another Czech player made his way into the box, this time for tripping. But Canada wasn’t able to capitalize on the power play and it was starting to look as if the Czechs were actually going to be able to take a scoreless tie into the dressing room.

Chris, Dane and pretty much everyone else around us agreed that the longer this game stayed scoreless the better it was for the Czech Republic. But less then 10 seconds after the Czech penalty expired Jeff Carter struck with his 6th of the tourney. The crowd absolutely erupted and despite the fact that Shawn Belle took a penalty for boarding less then 30 seconds later, Team Canada had the momentum going into the dressing room.

“This is so freaking intense.” I muttered as I sipped my diet coke.

“You can say that again.” Dane replied.

“This is so freaking intense.” I repeated.

Dane rolled his eyes. “I didn’t mean literally.” He said.

“I know.” I replied sticking my tongue out at him. “I’m just trying to lighten things up a little.”

“It’s not helping.” Chris said. “I am so nervous I’m fucking shaking.”

“Can we just end it now?” Dane asked. “I mean surely to God one period is enough for everyone to know that Canada is the better team.”

I laughed. “It might help if the refs would just let the guys play.” I pointed out bitterly. “I mean, there were like 10 penalties in that period. And the period wasn’t even that chippy.”

“The Czechs have a good goalie though.” Chris pointed out.

I nodded. “D and I were talking about that yesterday after we watched the quarter final.” I said. “Schwartz is clearly the class of this team. I mean they have some decent players at the other positions, but if they are going to medal in this tournament Schwartz is really going to have to stand on his head.”

“You don’t think that they can beat us do you?” Dane asked, surprised.

I rolled my eyes. “Of course not.” I said. “But they could beat Sweden, and with Montoya playing like a punk, the Swedes could beat the US. That means the Czechs could conceivably win a medal.”

“Oh. Okay.” He replied.

The second period started not long after and for the first little while it seemed like the parade was going to continue. First a Czech player went off for hooking, then Stephen Dixon went off for the same thing, and then a Czech player went off for slashing. Our first few power plays of the game had been rather lack luster to say the least, but this one managed to strike.

Under a minute in, Nigel Dawes scored from D and Getter. Dane, Chris and I exploded from our seats with the rest of the Team Canada faithful. Now we had some insurance over that precious 1 goal lead. 2-0. It wasn’t like our other victories, but hey, in this kind of tournament, with this kind of format, a win was a win.

Then, just over 2 and a ½ minutes later, Patrice scored from Sidney and Corey Perry, making the score 3-0 and causing the crowd to go absolutely insane. I stood and cheered with everyone else, only I yelled in French for Patrice. There weren’t very many French speaking fans in the stands.

A couple minutes after the goal, the Czechs took a crosschecking penalty, but the power play for Canada was negated just over a minute in when Corey Perry took a stupid penalty for roughing. I shook my head in disgust. “What the fuck is Perry thinking?” I demanded Chris and Dane.

“He wasn’t.” Chris said wryly.

Dane grimaced too. “I follow some of the stuff in the OHL and a lot of people seem to think that Perry is a weasel.”

I shook my head. “We only have a 3 point lead. This is not the kind of game where you can take dumb fucking penalties like that.” I looked at the bench. Coach was barking orders to the players for the four on four and then for the penalty. “He is going to get it at intermission.” I predicted. “And a good thing too, because he fucking deserves it for a shitty play like that.”

It didn’t really seem to matter that he was in the box because the team managed to kill off the penalty. Just after however, the Czechs took another crosschecking penalty and Canada was back on the power play. They managed a couple of good scoring chances but Schwartz was able to close the door. He was clearly his team’s biggest strength.

I shook my head as the period ended and the boys went off the ice. “So how bad do you think Perry’s going to get it?” Dane asked.

I shrugged. “Worse then D got it the other day when he immerged from the elevator with me on his shoulder.” I said. “But not as bad as he got it when he pinched up in that game in his first season to give that guy from Regina a break away.”

Dane nodded. “Let’s just hope we can finish these guys off in the third.”

I shrugged again. “Schwartz is too hot.” I said. “This is all we’re going to get.”

Everyone around me looked at me surprised. “Don’t jinx them Drew.” Chris said.

“I’m not jinxing anyone.” I said. “I’ve watched the saves Schwartz has made since letting in those last two goals. Our boys are going to have to pull out some big time moves if they want to hit the score sheet again. Schwartz is the best player on that Czech team and he’s showing it.”

When the 3rd period started, I started to think that I could be wrong (which is a rare occurrence I assure you). The Czechs took another early penalty, this time for interference and we went out on the power play. Sidney, Patrice, Corey and D were out on the power play with Brent when one of the Czechs managed to sneak behind the defense and got the feed, scoring on Glass shorthanded.

That kind of took the sails out of the Canadian fans a little. I mean, the score was 3-1 and as the period went along, Schwartz was proving me right. He was closing the door on everyone and everything. With four minutes left in the game, the Czechs pulled him to get the sixth man, but they put him back in, less then a minute later when Team Canada was completely controlling the tempo, not to mention the puck.

Well, that isn’t entirely true. They put him back in because Sidney’s stick exploded as he and Patrice were heading up the ice towards the empty net. One of the boys on the bench tossed him a stick (like threw it) which is completely illegal, giving Canada a bench penalty. So the Czechs actually had an extra man, and they could have the insurance of having their tender in the net.

Except our boys were able to kill the penalty and Canada defeated the Czech Republic in the semi-finals by a final score of 3-1. Chris turned to me as the game ended. “Are you going to go see the boys?” He asked.

I glanced at Sidney as he was leaving the ice. His eyes met mine briefly before he quickly looked away. My heart dropped. Then D caught my eye and grinned at me… the little boy grin like I hadn’t seen since… well when he was younger he used to grin like that a lot. I knew that I had to go congratulate him at least. And Reggie for his quality bench warming. I forced myself to smile. “Yeah of course.”

So we waited awhile and then headed downstairs to the locker room area. The boys were trying very hard not to celebrate TOO hard. They knew that Russia was next and with guys like Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeny Malkov they weren’t going to be an easy team to beat… in fact they would be Canada’s toughest test at these World Championships.

It was actually cute. However, as soon as I saw Sidney, I was scared. He was labouring again, and wincing when he moved. He was still in a lot of pain. He wouldn’t say anything about it to save his life, but I knew full well that he was hurting. I caught his eye and waved as he headed into the physio room but he didn’t even acknowledge me.

He just kind of starred at me, like he wasn’t sure why I was there. I angrily brushed away a tear that had managed to fall. It was stupid of me to have fallen in so deep with a kid. It was my fault I was feeling this way, not Sidney’s. So I forced myself to smile again as Dion emerged, dressed and showered and gave me a hug.

“Good game honey.” I said, kissing him on the cheek. “One more to go huh?”

“Yep.” He said with a grin. “And we can beat the Russians this year Drew. I know we can.”

“The team last year could have beaten the Americans.” I pointed out bitterly. “If Fleury hadn’t totally collapsed.”

D shrugged diplomatically. He liked Marc-Andrè so he wouldn’t say anything in public where it might get back to him, but I knew that he agreed with me. “So are you going to come hang out tonight Drew?” He asked, changing the subject.

I shrugged, feeling dejected because I felt like shit over the whole Sidney thing. “I dunno.” I said.
D glanced at me sharply. “What’s wrong Drew?” He demanded.

“What do you mean what’s wrong?” I asked innocently.

“You never, ever say words like ‘dunno’ unless you’re upset.” D said firmly. “So what’s wrong?”

I shrugged. “Nothing’s wrong D. I just don’t know if I feel like hanging out tonight. I don’t think I’m in the right kind of mood you know?”

“Still want the world to fuck off and die huh Drew?” D asked.

“Pretty much yeah.” I said, shrugging again.

“Why?” He asked pointedly.

“I’m not sure.” I told him. “I’m just cranky.”

“Well if you feel better come hang out.” He said. “It hasn’t been as much fun without you.”

I snorted. “Like you guys even looked up from Madden or your poker.” I said. “Speaking of Madden, who played a little too much Madden this last little while?”

D shrugged. “Not sure.” He replied with a snort. “But really, when you think about it, it is kind of funny.”

I giggled. “I thought Sidney made a pretty damn good catch.” I said.

Dion laughed with me. “He did didn’t he?” He paused, contemplatively. “So I will see you later Drew? You’ll at least come downstairs to kiss me goodnight?”

I rolled my eyes at him and giggled. “Maybe.” I said. “If you don’t see me, come up if you want your kiss.”

“Will do Drew.” He said, dropping a kiss on my brow. “Life’s good girl. Remember that.”