THE GOALIE AND THE WALL
By Melee
He knew going in that night he might have to be perfect. His mates were up against the wall and he felt he had let them down. Why now? Why had he managed to be well all year, only to face sickness in the most imprtant series of games in their season.
But all that was behind him. He felt strong. He felt like HE could be the wall to the other team. No cracks, no faults, no weaknesses. No excuses.
He pulled the trump card out for tonight. He looked at the battered skates that he'd had repaired for this one special night. A night for perfection like he'd had one brilliant summer night in Buffalo a year earlier. The skates he'd worn when he skated the Cup. Those skates had allowed him to be perfect. And nothing else would do for his 'mates tonight. Nothing less for those kids he cared so much about. Nothing less for the fans that supported him with kind words on a website, gifts and chants. Nothing less for the coaches. Nothing less for himself.
He stepped out into the glaring light amid taunts and boo's.
He was used to that. He fed off it.
He used the taunts to make him even stronger.
As the game turned into two games, he remained strong.
No cracks. No faults. No weakness.
As he turned away every chance of his opponent, he kept telling himself his teammates would score.
"Just focus, stay loose, stay strong
Become the wall."
Suddenly and without warning, he saw the red light come on at the other end. He heard the crowd go silent and watched the man at the other end of the ice slump in defeat. He saw his 'mates celebrating and started ever so slowly out of his goal.
And then they were there. Hugs, thumps on the helmet, SMILES all around. It was over. He'd been one better. he'd stayed perfect.
He had become the wall......
