#a captain of another team celebrating his brother’s stanley cup

[comphyjost]

brotherly love 🥹❤️

[lumosinlove]

Vaincre

~

It’s here!! Thank you all for the support of this universe, it truly means so very much to me. Every time I get a comment, or get to read the fan fiction you all write, see the art you create...it just fills me with so much joy. I’m so excited to share the Sweater Weather sequel with you, Vaincre! Go Lions!

cw: brief mention of past injury and past abuse

~

part i: July

I’ve been holding my breath

I’ve been counting to ten

~

The media wasn’t kind. There were network shows and blogs. Magazines and papers and podcasts. Not to mention Twitter.

Remus had heard his name on all of them, even if he wasn’t listening. It was part of Alice’s job to make sure he knew what was being said about him. It was his job to tune most of it out. Some outrage. Some elation. Some confusion.

This is my question, one podcast asked. I mean, I’m happy for Black. Lupin, too. I’m happy for the hockey world to have this happen, it’s about time, I mean, tune it, come on, and all that.

I’m confused about the, you know, ‘let’s put the PT on the roster.’ I’ve seen college clips, like, those have been released, we know that he got injured, we know all that. He’s fast, we know that, too. But a lot of guys are fast.

Just…what a move by Coach Weasley. A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

Remus had always loved to run. It cleared his head. It had been one of the forms of exercise he had been able to do first once his shoulder had healed, before weights or any sort of strength training. His therapists had recommended it. Endorphins, they had said.

But Remus liked it because it was the closest he had been able to get to gliding on the ice, even when he still couldn’t stand to even look at a rink.

A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

Remus was used to not knowing. He was beginning to think he thrived on it. Would he play hockey again? Would he ever find love? Would Sirius want him?

Was this really happening?

He didn’t think of dreams as coming so late, but, then again, why should dreams be put on any sort of time schedule?

Now, he banged out the screen door and onto the rickety, well-loved porch of the lake house that had been passed down through his family for years. His mother and her brothers split it up in the summer, overlapping for a week or so, and there were always little gifts left behind for each family at the trade-off. A bottle of the best maple syrup, or some of the local honey. They were small, but Remus smiled when he saw what his uncle and aunt and cousins had left for him and Sirius after his parents and Julian had given them the month of July with the house to themselves. A little flower arrangement with two hockey sticks, carved out of wood, sticking up in the middle.

Sirius had plucked one from the dirt, twirled it over in his fingers, and smiled.

“Your family will never stop surprising me.”

Green Lake was deep, prime for fishing, and gorgeous. The smell of the water, of the soil and sweet summer air was as good as home to Remus. He breathed it in now as he bent to lace up his sneakers. He could smell the fire pit that they had lit last night, one that he and Julian had roasted thousands of marshmallows over.

“I showed Jules how to roast the perfect marshmallow here,” Remus had said that first July night, leaning back against Sirius’ chest.

Sirius had blew out his burnt-black one. “Like this?”

Remus had scoffed. “No, you heathen.”

Sirius looked good here, surrounded by the woods and rusty cabin, wearing the old fleeces that never seemed to leave this place for when the sun had yet to warm the chilly mornings. Some mornings, they’d make their coffee, tangle their socked feet together on the small couch until the sun began to get high and they’d strip it all off in favor of swimsuits and sunscreen. Other mornings, Remus would rise, pressing a gentle kiss to Sirius’ sleeping face, and take to the dirt road that ran around the lake.

Sirius, just off of the hard won playoffs, needed to rest. Remus needed to train.

A good move? I don’t know. I really don’t know.

They would leave in two days for Pascal’s Cup Day celebration, and then to meet Remus’ parents, his little brother Julian, and Regulus back in Gryffindor for Sirius’ Cup Day. And August training. Remus stretched his hands to his toes and closed his eyes. A strange type of adrenaline filled him whenever he thought about practicing with the team, about the fitness tests that would come first. He’d have to prove himself again and again. He wanted to. But part of him wondered what would happen if he couldn’t.

The screen door squeaked open and shut again, and Remus jumped, looking up to find Sirius, still sleep rumpled, standing there in running shorts.

Remus laughed, reaching up to trace a pillow crease in his cheek. “You’re supposed to be sleeping in while you can.”

Sirius let out a grumbly sort of yawn and gathered his hair, long from the summer and just brushing his chin now, back into a small half-up bun.

“I can’t believe you do this before coffee.”

“Too acidic. Gives you running stitches.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sirius sighed, and threw his arm around Remus’ shoulders as they walked up the steep driveway to the road.

Remus kissed his wrist. “I’ll miss being here with you.”

Sirius smiled. He was tan from the summer, hair dark as ever and his skin sun-kissed.

Remus leaned into his shoulder. “I mean look at you. I like seeing you this relaxed.”

Sirius bit his lip as the rounded a bend, waving at Mrs. Barrow, who was tending to her garden.

“I don’t think I knew I could be this relaxed,” Sirius admitted. “It was always train, train, train, you didn’t get a Cup, try harder.”

Remus was familiar with the notes that appeared in Sirius’ voice now from years of Sirius’ small slips in conversation, even when, to Remus, Sirius had only been they youngest captain in the league, cold and reserved from even more years of his father’s abusive, relentless attitude towards hockey and Sirius’ skills. Even when Remus had only been the team’s physical therapist, closeted, crushing on Sirius, and surprised by the cracks Sirius showed when he had gotten his ankle smashed by Severus Snape, Captain of the Slytherin Snakes—the Gryffindor Lions greatest rivalry. Pain, it had seemed, and fear of never stepping on the ice again, had given Remus his first glimpses into a different Sirius beneath it all, a boy who was filled with much more than just a need to win, but for whom the want of winning only made him love his sport, and his team, more.

“And now that you have a Cup?” Remus asked. “How’re you feeling?”

They came to the road and Sirius balanced on one foot, stretching his thigh. “Now that I have you,” he said. “I’m feeling just fine.”

Remus snorted. “Yeah, the Stanley Cup Champion part has nothing to do with it.”

Sirius laughed, but took Remus’ face between his palms. “If I didn’t have you, and I had only a Cup, all I would be doing right now is thinking about another Cup.”

Remus put a hand on his chest, fingers finding the number twelve pendant that rested there.

“Now, there’s more,” Sirius said simply, and leaned down for a tender kiss. “Like your mother’s peach pie.”

Remus punched him in the arm as Sirius laughed loudly.

“You’ll have to beat me if you want a slice of that!” Remus called as he took off.

Sirius made a wounded noise, but sprinted after him until they were side by side again.

~

“I don’t think I can leave this beach,” Leo mumbled into the lounging cabana they were spread out beneath, and Logan looked down at him from where he was reading—trying to read—one of the books Finn had given him. He didn’t know how many books Finn had tried to get him to read over the years, but he knew he never made it through more than a few pages without looking up, getting distracted, or having to go back.

“Non?” Logan asked.

Leo shook his head. “The sun. The sea. I’m in heaven.”

“What about hockey?”

“Brr.”

Logan laughed and settled back into the pillows, setting the book aside and rolling towards Leo to feel his sun-warmed back and leaned down to kiss his temple. A private beach definitely had its perks—and so did three hockey salaries.

“We’ll just stay here, then.”

They’d had a good summer. Leo’s Cup Day, Finn’s, his own, all in their hometowns and accompanied by large parades and fanfare. Logan had finally gotten to take Leo home to his sisters and parents for the first time. It had been nice to see Finn around his family again, too, after what felt like eons of avoiding him in that small gap between being at Harvard and then them both making it to the NHL, and to the Lions.

Leo’s sleepy smile up at him melted Logan like ice in the sun.

“Okay, good,” Leo said, then his eyes went behind Logan. “There’s the ghost-on-toast with our drinks.”

Logan snorted and looked up to see Finn—and Finn’s tiny blue swim shorts that he insisted weren’t see-through—walking towards them through the sand from the resort bar with a tray of drinks in his hands.

“Hey, lover-nuts,” Finn said as he set the tray down in the shade. “Got us some snacks, too. That bar tender loves me.”

“You are so pale,” Leo laughed. “I love you, though, please put more sunscreen on.”

“Keep your sandy feet off my towel,” Logan nudged Finn’s foot with his own as he reached for his drink. Finn just smiled and nodded at the book.

“How is it?” Finn asked.

Logan just looked at him.

He laughed and ran a hand through Logan’s salty, damp hair. “I know. I’ll read it to you later. I just thought you might want something for the beach!”

Logan held up his cocktail. “I have something for the beach.”

They settled back under their cabana, the thin, white linen curtains fluttering around them in the three o’clock breeze. Maybe Logan, as he closed his eyes between Leo and Finn, Leo’s hand still on his thigh, Finn’s arm pillowing the back of his neck, never wanted to leave this beach, either.

“Back to Gryffindor tomorrow,” Logan said.

“Group chat says most guys’ll be back this week,” Finn said, squinting at his phone over his sunglasses. “We gotta be back for Dumo’s, and then Cap’s Cup Day. That’ll be nice, man.”

“I like that they’re bringing it to Gryffindor Pride,” Leo said, rolling onto his back. “Should have thought of that. Or, I guess…” Leo trailed off and Logan frowned. They couldn’t do that. Not yet, at least. Leo caught Logan’s expression and rested a reassuring hand on his thigh. “I’m glad we get to go, even if its for them on the surface. That’s real thoughtful of them, you know?”

Logan nodded. It was thoughtful. When Remus and Sirius had brought it up to them, he’d found himself getting a little choked up.

“We want you guys to be able to experience that, too,” Remus had said. “If you want. No matter what you decide to do public-wise in the future.”

Finn clicked his phone off and chucked it to the side. “Hey, don’t take me off island time yet. We’ll order to the room, eat on the deck, hike up and stargaze…”

Finn rattled off the perfect list, tilting towards Logan until their lips met.

“And then we’ll go win another Cup.”

Leo and Logan punched him at the same time.

~

Thomas sat in the shade with Kasey as they watched Alex try to take on Natalie and Noelle at pool basketball.

“I really think they’re going to accidentally drown him,” Thomas said thoughtfully.

“He probably thinks that, too, and is just too competitive to stop,” Kasey replied.

Thomas laughed, and held out his beer to cheers.

“This is a nice house the O’Haras have, man,” he looked at the sparkling ocean beyond the steps and fence, and at the pool with the grill and lounge chairs. They’d only come up for the weekend, between training and visiting their own families, and before returning to Gryffindor for the season.

“Tell me about it.”

“Cheating!” Alex spluttered from the pool as Natalie put all of her weight on him to dunk him under the water. Alex pointed very seriously to the foot marker on the side tile. “We agreed from that to Thomas’ chair, I was too far away!”

“Too bad!” Noelle shouted as she made another basket.

Thomas didn’t think it was the alcohol that made him feel a little fuzzy at the edges as he looked over her in her swimsuit. She was all curves of tanned muscle, softened the summer around her stomach and arms. Thomas was a goner. But she seemed pretty gone, too, so he guessed it was all right.

“This moment’s always rough,” Kasey said softly from beside him, and when Thomas looked at him questioningly, he gestured vaguely with his beer. “The end of July. One more month, but not really. Alex’ll go back for training, you know? It’s like a trick. I always think, I get three months with these two. But it’s more like two and the first week of August.”

Thomas nodded. “I know. Noelle, too. Her training camp starts on the eight. I’m just…”

Kasey sighed in sympathy.

“At least you have Nat, you know?” Thomas said. “Not that I’m saying you have it easier, I just…”

Kasey shook his head. “I know. Believe me, I’m thankful for that every day. But…when you miss someone, you miss someone.”

Thomas nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, exactly.”

Last season hadn’t been too bad. His relationship with Noelle had been new. They only really knew FaceTime dates, and squeezed in weekend flights that sometimes left them more exhausted than sated. They had been taking it slow. Thomas had been kissed by Noelle—a lot. Enough to make him dizzy with it. Only, then she’d met him at the airport in Quebec, they’d spent a month with her family in France…

And Thomas wasn’t sure he knew how to do just FaceTime anymore. There was a new yearning, knotted just below his heart. He knew what her skin felt like under his hands now, knew what she looked like right when she waked up, even her skincare routine before bed. It would feel like being away from the ice for too long, the knot pulling tight. He thought this year was going to be harder. Maybe he knew it, but if he did, he was pretending it might be easy still.

“T,” Noelle called, floating on her back, dark hair fanned out in the water. “C’mere!”

Thomas smiled, setting his drink down. He would come, whenever she called. Wherever.

~

Cole Reyes didn’t know if Adele Dumais staring at him the way she was was a good thing, or a bad thing. He was nervous enough without the seemingly disapproval of Pascal Dumais'—the Pascal Dumais of the Gryffindor Lions, oldest player in the league—teenage daughter.

“Don’t you talk?” Marc, one of his sons, asked.

Cole blinked. “Uh. Yeah. Yeah.”

Adele waved her brother off. “They’re always super nervous at first. Remember Sirius?”

Marc scoffed. “I was a baby.”

Cole let out a breath. Now they were casually talking about Sirius Black, who had lived in the very room Cole had been sleeping in for a week now when he was a rookie, too. It was the same with Logan Tremblay. He felt like he needed to keep the room pristine, like he was living in some Hockey Hall of Fame museum that he had not earned the right to be in yet.

“You’re still a baby,” Adele shot back.

“Kids,” came Celeste, Pascal’s wife’s voice from where she was setting the table. “Come on now.”

“Sorry, maman,” Marc said softly.

“Sorry,” Adele sighed more reluctantly.

“Go help your father with the grill, you two,” she said. “Everyone will be arriving soon.”

Katie, Celeste and Pascal’s youngest daughter, perked up from where she was sitting beside Cole, drawing. Not Pascal, Dumo—Cole kept having to remind himself that he could call Pascal by his nickname now, that it was all official, that he was a Gryffindor Lion, too. Katie hadn’t left his side since he arrived a week ago to billet with the Dumais, and he still wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Even the Cup?” she asked.

Celeste laughed. “Oui, ma cherie. Cole? Would you mind going to get the flowers for the table? They’re on the kitchen counter, just inside.”

“Oh, sure, Mrs. Dumais,” Cole nodded, glad for something to do. The thought of the Cup arriving gave him the chills. He’d have to be careful not to touch it. He was scared to even look at it, to be honest. His mom would be laughing at him right about now. He wanted to call her afterwards, tell her everything.

“Call me Celeste, I told you, please,” Celeste smiled. She was lovely, with her dark hair twisted and clipped up and a summer dress as green as her eyes, silky against her olive skin.

Cole flushed, but smiled. “Celeste.”

Cole made his way through the sliding door from the back yard and through the dining room. The kitchen was one of the biggest rooms in the house—and it was a big house. Beautiful copper pans hung shining above the island, along with some herbs that Celeste grew and dried herself. It looked like something out of a magazine to Cole, and it was nice, but it wouldn’t beat his mom’s kitchen in the small apartment they shared in Boston. The small space would fill up to the brim with the smell of spices, or cobbler. The thought sent a pang right to his heart. He missed home, that was for sure. After being away for so long, for so many hockey camps, he’d hoped he would be more used to it by now.

The flowers were right where Celeste had said they would be, and he was reaching for one when the back door that led to the garage dinged open. Cole froze, sure that he was about to run into captain Sirius Black completely unprepared, when a girl stepped through instead. She was dressed in denim shorts and a white tank top, had dark brown skin, and a Gryffindor College hat over her hair, which was plaited back into many small braids.

She smiled when she saw him. No sign of surprised, or of the nervousness Cole felt when he met basically anyone.

“You must be Cole,” she said.

Cole nodded. The girl was gorgeous. Cole was a mess of nerves already. He didn’t need the stare of the teenage daughter of one of his idols, but he especially could not handle a beautiful girl right now.

“Yeah,” Cole said. “No, yeah, um. Yes.”

The girl strode forward, setting her bag down on the counter, along with a water bottle decorated in stickers. He caught a few Lions ones. She offered her hand, which was slender and had two golden rings on it. “I’m Layla. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Cole took it, trying to place her. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I babysit for the Dumais family,” she said in explanation, then waved her hand. “Well, this year, at least. I’m actually—we’re going to be working together.”

Cole blinked. “You mean the Lions?”

She nodded. “I’m in the middle of my undergrad for physical therapy. Dumo’s amazing and he got me an internship under the new PT. You know. I’ll probably get you stick tape or something,” she laughed. “Congrats, by the way.”

Cole tilted his head and she raised an eyebrow.

“On making it to the NHL?”

“Oh,” Cole laughed. “Oh, I, yeah, thanks. You, too—or…yeah.”

Cole was going to stay in his room in the basement and never come out.

“I gotta—Mrs. Du—Celeste wants these flowers outside,” he said, picking the vases up.

“Sure thing,” Layla smiled.

“Layla,” came a shriek, and a moment later Katie Dumais came sprinting into the kitchen and wrapped herself around Layla’s legs and smiled at Cole. “This is my new hockey player.”

Cole couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t have a lot of experience with kids, but Katie sure was cute.

“Yours?” Layla gasped as she smiled at Cole. “He’s all yours, is he?”

Katie nodded. “Like Tremzy and Sirius. His name is Cole, like when Santa Clause doesn’t like you.”

Again, with the casual mentions of Logan Tremblay and Sirius Black.

“Oh, of course,” Layla laughed. “Well, I’m sure Santa Clause has never not liked you, babes. Let’s go let your mom know I’m here, okay? Your new hockey player can come with us, too.”

“He’s yours, too!” Katie insisted. “You’re here all the time, so he’s yours, too, don’t worry.”

“Oh, good,” Layla said. “I was worried.”

When Katie looked at Cole expectedly, Cole managed, “I guess everyone does need a hockey player?”

“Exactly!” Katie squealed, and Cole could only follow them outside, heart pounding.

~

It was good to be back in Gryffindor. Remus and Sirius had dropped their bags in Sirius’ entryway, said hello to Regulus, showered, and then hopped right back in the car to get to Pascal’s house.

“You two look disgustingly happy,” Regulus said, leaning forward from the back seat.

“We are,” Sirius grinned at him in the review mirror. “I am also happy,” he stroked the leather steering wheel of his Range Rover. “To be back with this baby.”

While Sirius’ hair had grown longer, Regulus had shaved his short. The curls were barely curls at all anymore, but Remus was happy to see that his seemingly ever-present dark circles had receded some.

“Why, thank you, Regulus, you look happy, too,” Remus snorted. “When do you leave for NYU’s orientation?”

“August 23rd,” he said. “Been texting with my housemates, too. They seem cool.”

“Maybe one of you will pull a Finn and fall in love with each other,” Sirius said.

“Twice,” Remus laughed, and Regulus did, too.

“I think I’ve had enough romance drama to last me a life time, thanks,” Regulus smiled. “But, yeah. I’m just…I’m focused on friends right now, I think. Normal, non-hockey creatures like you two. But that’s not to say if something came up…or I guess someone. Who knows.”

Sirius’ smile was softer this time. “Focus on whatever you want, Reg. You deserve it.”

Regulus just grumbled something about hockey gods, and then they were pulling up to the Dumais’. There were silver and white balloons lining the driveway and the fence to the backyard where, as Remus slammed his door, he could already hear laughter. A zing of excitement shot through him.

“I missed this team,” he sighed as Sirius took his hand.

Sirius pressed a kiss to his temple. “Your team.”

“Our team.”

“Jesus Christ,” Regulus said, and gave them a shove forward.

Thomas gave a loud woop when he spotted them coming out to the backyard. Regulus immediately made a B-line towards Leo and the Cubs.

“Yes! The Captain!” Thomas said and pulled Sirius into a hug. “Missed you, man.”

“You, too, T,” Sirius said. “Ready to tear it up?”

“You know it.”

Remus smiled as Thomas hugged him next. “I forgot you two train together before pre-season.”

“You two?” Thomas raised an eyebrow, the small gold hoops in his ears glinting in the sun. Remus noticed he’d shaved three stripes into one side of his head. They were a little wobbly. Maybe Noelle had done it. “You’re not coming with us?”

“You know how this one is about his routines,” Remus said, wrapping an arm around Sirius’ waist. “Wouldn’t want to mess anything up.”

“Please,” Sirius said. “I want you there more than I want a second—”

Remus and Thomas punched him at the same time.

“I know you weren’t just about to say that,” said an accented voice from behind Remus, and they turned to see Pascal standing there. He looked as he always did, smile lines around his eyes, gray streaks at his temples. He wore a white t-shirt and had Katie on his hip. She was definitely getting too big to be carried around like that, but Remus couldn’t see a time when Pascal would ever refuse her. He’d probably carry Adele around like that, too, if she’d let him.

“Dumo,” Sirius smiled, and took the two beers he was holding out, handing one to Remus. He kissed Katie’s forehead. “Good summer?”

“The best,” Pascal laughed, and nodded towards the edge of the yard. “Especially with the promise of seeing that thing again.”

Remus followed his gaze, and his breath caught, just as he knew it would. The Cup stood there, its guards near by with drinks and plates of food in their hands. It sat proudly on a table, surrounded by white tulips—no doubt Celeste’s doing.

“I’m excited to see you two bring it to the parade,” Pascal said. “That will be a wonderful day for everyone.”

Remus glanced at where Logan, Leo, and Finn were standing with Kasey Winter, Gryffindor’s goalie, and his partners Natalie, with her long blonde hair, and Finn’s brother Alex, who played for Tampa Bay.

Sirius’ smile lit up his face. “It will be.”

Remus peered around him. “Is that our rookie?”

Sirius scoffed. “A rookie can’t call a fellow rookie rookie, rookie.”

Remus blinked. “What did you just say?”

“That’s Cole!” Katie said. “I love him.” Then she turned and shouted his name again. He looked up from where he was standing quietly beside Jackson Nadeau, another player, and Remus suppressed a smile at the way his eyes widened when he saw Sirius.

“Oh, here we go,” Sirius mumbled.

“Oh, hush,” Remus said, and sounded far too much like his mother to himself. “You’re going to be throwing hands for him the second someone gets close, and you know it.”

“I don’t know how to tell rookies I’m just a person!” Sirius whispered as Cole began to make his way over. “They act all…”

“Star struck?” Thomas offered.

Sirius just glowered at him.

Cole Reyes did not look as young as he was. Even at 19, he was jacked, and tall, with light brown skin, green eyes, and a stripe shaved into one of his eyebrows. His hair was shaved at the sides, but longer on the top and in tight curls.

Remus glanced somewhat self-consciously down at himself. He could only put on more muscle healthily so fast. He thought he’d been doing well, but looking at Cole…

“Hello,” Cole said hesitantly and Pascal set Katie down and clapped Cole on the shoulder.

“Reyes, meet Sirius. Sirius, meet the boy who is a much better billet than you ever were.”

Sirius snorted, and Cole laughed—nervously.

“Hi, Cole,” Sirius said, and held out his hand. “I know we spoke briefly over the summer, but it’s nice to officially meet you.”

“You, too,” Cole said, smile slight. “Thanks for the call. My mom freaked out. I mean—well, me too, but my mom…” Cole stuttered out, wincing.

“Loves me?” Sirius laughed. “I get that a lot.”

“He’s so humble,” Remus shook his head jokingly. “Hi Cole, I’m Remus. Welcome to the team.”

“You too…?” Cole said hesitantly. “Well, the roster, I guess.”

“Cole,” Katie said, taking his large hand in her small one. “Come meet Tremzy. He’s my best friend.”

Sirius feigned a pout. “What about me?”

Katie smiled sheepishly, throwing herself at Sirius’ legs, “You, too!”

“Always one-uped by Tremblay,” Thomas laughed, shaking his head. “How’s it feel, Cap?”

“Wonderful,” Sirius said dryly and then looked down at Katie, petting her head. “Go on, go show Cole your best friend.”

They watched her lead Cole through the crowd for a moment before Sirius huffed.

“See?” Sirius whispered to Remus. “It’s like he’s scared of me.”

“I’ve never heard you use the phrase spoke briefly in my life. Who are you, Alice?”

“I was trying to be professional!”

Remus laughed. “Why?”

Sirius just rolled his eyes and dragged him over to stack their plates with food.

The party went well into the evening, the sky pink and blue in the setting sun. There were lanterns floating in the pool where Evgeni and Jackson were playing chicken with a delighted Marc and Louis, or sometimes one of Coach Arthur Weasley’s boys, on their shoulders. Logan was sitting with Cole and Finn, cradling a sleepy Katie against his chest, Leo and Regulus laughing with Kasey and Alex.

Remus found Sirius again standing alone in front of the Cup. His hair was falling into his face, the curls gentled by the evening breeze and the Cup’s silver surface reflecting the silver of Sirius’ eyes. Remus went to stand beside him, and neither of them spoke for a moment.

“I’m nervous,” Remus broke the silence.

Sirius nodded. “I know, mon loup.”

Remus sighed, resting his head against Sirius’ arm. “Yeah?”

“Of course,” Sirius switched his drink to his other hand so he could run his fingers through Remus’ hair. “This is…big.”

“It’s what I’ve always wanted,” Remus whispered. It felt dangerous, to say the words aloud. “It’s everything that I lost. Last time.”

Remus could still feel Fenrir Greyback rip at his shoulder, even if it was years ago now, while they were still at college. Being in the NHL meant that Remus would have to play against him again whenever they met Vegas.

Sirius turned towards him, hand on his cheek.

“You will have this,” he said earnestly, and then smile, reaching into his shirt for his necklace, the one Remus had gifted him last Christmas. He brought it to his lips. “Loops.”

Remus smiled at the now familiar sight, touching the pendant when Sirius’ let it drop.

“You know,” Remus said. “You’re everything I’ve always wanted, too.”

Sirius’ smile was one of Remus’ favorites, and he tucked him against his side. Remus followed his gaze to find him looking at Cole again.

“I’m not happy with the way it happened,” Sirius said softly, and Remus knew he was thinking of the pictures that someone had leaked of them kissing. The pictures that had upturned their entire lives. “But I’m glad I get to hold you like this in front of new faces. I wasn’t thinking about trades—I try not to—but getting Reyes, if things had been different, would have meant we were back to square one at parties like these.”

Remus nodded, taking a drink. “And he seemed okay with it. With us.”

“I was thinking we should invite him to train with us. With me, you, and T. Maybe Dumo would join, too. I know he usually goes with Sergei, but Sergei might be with Kuns and Nado, even though they usually like it just them. The Cubs—”

“Okay, Captain, okay,” Remus laughed.

Sirius pressed a hand over his eyes, laughing. “I just don’t like it when they’re nervous around me. Like Leo was. It’s so much better now that we’re friends.”

“You’ll get there with him,” Remus said. “Yeah, invite him to train with us. The more the merrier.”

Secretly, Remus wanted to see how Cole trained. He couldn’t shake the analytical side of him, the physical therapist side. Cole was built for such a young age.

“If I didn’t know better,” Sirius said softly, mouth close to Remus’ ear. “I’d say you were checking him out.”

Remus spluttered. “I’m not! I want to know his routine!”

Sirius cracked up. “This is your superstition, isn’t it? Cracking other player’s codes.”

Remus just shrugged, smiling into his cup.

“Have you cracked my code?” Sirius asked in the low voice he used that made Remus not want to be surrounded by people.

Remus looked up at him. “Maybe. It certainly has nothing to do with a piece of toast at five o’clock.”

“My pre-game toast is very important to me.”

Remus leaned up to press a quick kiss to his lips. “No, you just like honey and cinnamon.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. “Okay, I’m going to talk to Reyes now.”

“Catch him if he passes out.”

Sirius just glowered over his shoulder as he stalked across the grass. Remus looked around at the back yard, at the team, together again. His team.

[oeldeservesthenorris]

Inside the Avalanche’s Cup celebration: ‘All these champions skating around’

From The Athletic

TAMPA, Fla. — Standing on the ice at Amalie Arena, soaking in sweat and tears and the emotions that come with reaching hockey’s peak, Gabriel Landeskog harkened back to his draft day, back to when he was a clean-shaven kid with a full NHL career ahead of him. He told reporters at the time that he had a photo of Peter Forsberg and the 2001 Avalanche Stanley Cup team hanging from his bedroom wall in Stockholm. His goal — his dream — was to be in a picture like that one day.

On Sunday night, he got his wish.

After Colorado’s 2-1 victory in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Landeskog looked around him, surveying his jubilant teammates.

“I’m just so happy to see all these champions skating around,” he said.

As captain, Landeskog was the first to hoist the Stanley Cup. And as much as he’d longed to touch the trophy, he couldn’t wait to give it away. He’d made a promise during harder times — before Cale Makar and Presidents’ Trophy contention — to teammate Erik Johnson, his close friend and the longest-tenured Avalanche player. Be ready, he had said. Because whatever day the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, he’d hand Johnson the trophy first.

“If that doesn’t give you motivation, I don’t know what does,” Johnson said. “Who would’ve thought? Five years ago, dead last in the NHL. Now we’re Stanley Cup champions.”

As the final horn sounded, Johnson and Nathan MacKinnon met, tackling each other away from the rest of the main group. They rolled around, embracing one another. Both were on the 2016-17 team that had one of the worst seasons of the NHL’s salary-cap era, logging only 48 points in the standings — more than 20 worse than the next-closest team. And in the post-win celebration, the remaining players from that roster — Landeskog, Johnson, MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and J.T. Compher — gathered for a picture near center ice, finally as victorious as could be.

“It’s special no matter how you win this thing,” Compher said. “But in the few years since that season, seeing all the work that’s gone in…”

MacKinnon, who scored the game-tying goal in the second period Sunday, found his parents, Graham and Kathy, as soon as they walked onto the ice. He cried in his dad’s arms. “I kind of get flashbacks to my whole childhood, my whole life,” said the center, who finished second to Makar in Conn Smythe Trophy voting. “It feels amazing.”

Nathan MacKinnon lifts the Stanley Cup. (Geoff Burke / USA Today)

Makar, the defenseman who moves the puck like a yo-yo and skates like a gazelle, completed a rare combo with the Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe this season. And he had help: His mom, Laura, had ditched her lucky outfit after the Avalanche’s Game 5 loss, and she ate kale salads ahead of games 4 and 6, both Colorado victories. A mother’s touch works wonders.

Laura wasn’t alone in attendance. Cale’s dad, Gary, was there, too, as well as Taylor, Cale’s younger brother and a 2021 Avalanche seventh-round draft pick.

“Growing up, playing mini-sticks when we were little kids, getting in fights, stuff like that,” Taylor said. “It’s everything he’s always wanted, what our family has wanted.”

Around the ice, players FaceTimed with loved ones who couldn’t make the trip. Andre Burakovsky shared a moment on the phone with his dad, Robert, and Bowen Byram grinned into a screen at his sister, Jamie. “I’ll drink your share of the beer,” their dad, Shawn, joked.

Johnson accidentally knocked Sportsnet contributor Ken Wiebe’s recorder out of his hands while reaching for a family member’s phone. He apologized as Wiebe jokingly called for a two-minute roughing penalty.

Darren Helm cried while holding his daughter. Makar stood arm-in-arm with Devon Toews, his defensive partner. Andrew Cogliano’s mom pulled Jack Johnson in for a hug. Erik Johnson said he needed a beer. (And there was plenty to come later in the evening.)

There was Nazem Kadri, his thumb still bandaged. He broke it in multiple places but found a way to turn a six-week recovery into two. Burakovsky battled through a broken ankle to play the first two Stanley Cup Final games but was finally kept out by a thumb injury. Cogliano, who has played 1,140 regular-season games, waiting and hoping for this moment, played with pins in his broken middle finger. Worth it?

“Fuckin’ right,” he said.

To reach their goal, the Avalanche had to knock off the two-time-defending Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. And after taking the lead in the second period, Colorado executed a clinical third, limiting Tampa Bay to only two shots on goal and generating a plethora of scoring chances the other way. With a clear at the final horn, the game ended. The Avalanche had won.

“We went out there and probably played one of the most perfect clinching third periods in the history of hockey,” Byram said.

Added goalie Darcy Kuemper, who finished the night with 22 saves: “That was some of the best hockey I’ve ever watched. To have the Cup on the line and come out like we did and not give up everything, it was a special effort.”

General manager Joe Sakic, the team’s architect, posed for pictures with his family, and he said hello to Toews’ parents, Werner and Tammy, who thanked him for taking on a chance on their son in a 2020 trade from the New York Islanders. It’s a deal Sakic would do a million times over: He paid only two second-round picks for Toews, and the defenseman has finished 11th and eighth in Norris Trophy voting the past two years, respectively.

“I don’t know if it’s really soaked in yet,” Werner said. “It’s incredible. It’s a hard road.”

A little before 2 a.m. Eastern, the Cup left the building in the hands of a jubilant Landeskog, whose mood was perhaps buoyed by a couple of drinks. A procession of teammates walked with him, including Josh Manson, carrying an NHL championship belt over his shoulder, and Makar with Oakley goggles — champagne protection — on his forehead. “Post that on Twitter!” Byram yelled, wearing an unbuttoned shirt and suit jacket while double-fisting champagne bottles. Landeskog showed off the trophy to the media members still at the rink working, with one message to share.

“We’re taking it back to Denver!”

Valeri Nichushkin and MacKinnon were among the last to leave. Nichushkin, dealing with a suspected foot injury, got a ride from a stadium worker on a flatbed dolly usually used for transporting crates, a bottle in his left hand. MacKinnon walked behind him, laughing at his teammate, victorious at last.

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: HOCKEY NEWS AND NOTES VOLUME 4 PART 1

eing t: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack hockey season stopped suddenly but is still getting awards from across the hockey universe. Wolf Pack captain, Steven Fogarty, was named the winner of the Wolf Pack's IOA/American Specialty Team Man-Of-The-Year. He and the winners from the other 31 AHL Teams became eligible to win the AHL Yanick Dupre Award. Over the past five seasons and recently as the Wolf Pack team captain this year, Fogarty is one of the most admired players both on-and-off the ice. Fogarty is a Notre Dame grad and always expresses his calm and friendly demeanor toward fans, teammates, and media alike, and always willing to participate in ways to help the community. He's attended several fan-related events, volunteered his time at shelters, worked with youth programs such as the Police Athletic League (PAL), the annual Bowl-a-Thon for Special Olympics, and many other team-related community initiatives. Fogarty, of Edina, MN, was actively involved in youth/school reading programs, has made several hospital visits at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Newington, and has been a leader behind the commitment and participation of Wolf Pack players at community and team events. Fogarty is now one of 31 finalists for the AHL's 2019-20 Yanick Dupre Memorial Award, honoring the overall winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man-Of-The-Year. The naming of the Yanick Dupre Award is after the former Hershey Bears forward and AHL All-Star who died in 1997 following a 16-month battle with leukemia. The announcement of the winner of the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award will be later this spring. The first winner of the award was defenseman John Jakopin from the Beast of New Haven in 1997-98. Jakopin played one season for the Wolf Pack 2003-04. Some other team winners include Sound Tigers winner, goaltender, Christopher Gibson, former Wolf Pack, Daniel Walcott (Syracuse), and former Yale University Bulldog, Kenny Agostino (Toronto). Another milestone day would be this Good Friday. It would have been the last regular season home game for the Wolf Pack scheduled against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The day was to be the celebration of the 2000 Calder Cup Championship team complete with the Calder Cup, autograph and picture signings, and a post-game party at the Tavern, but, like everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic caused its cancelation. Those scheduled to attend included Derek Armstrong, Brad "Shooter" Smyth, Terry Virtue, Todd Hall, J.F. Labbe, Tony Tuzzolino, P.J. Stock, Daniel Goneau, Mike Harder, Chris Kenady, Stefan Cherneski, and head coach John Paddock. Also on the invite list would have been Medical trainer Tim Macre and equipment manager Jason Levy, then Wolf Pack GM, Don Maloney, and Rangers president Neil Smith. Former Wolf Pack reporters, Bruce Berlet (Hartford Courant), and George Dalek (Meriden Record-Journal) were also going to take part in the festivities. TOM WEBSTER Sad news for New Englan / Hartford Whaler fans was the passing of Tom Webster, 71, of brain cancer at his home in Windsor, Ontario, with family at his side. His wife, Carole, passed away earlier in the past year. His daughter, Stacy, and his son, Brent, as well as grandchildren, survive him. Webster was "Mr. New England Whaler." He played six-of-their-seven WHA years, and his number 8 brought many a cheer at Hartford Civic Center in the glistening early years of professional hockey in Hart City. Bruce Landon, the then goalie for the New England Whalers, was complimentary in praise, "Tom was a great guy and good teammate, tremendous player. It's a sad day for hockey," Webster finished first with 215 career goals and 425 points. He was third in assists with 205, just behind Larry Pleau and Rick Ley. Webster was fourth in games played at 352 games behind only Rick Ley, Brad Selwood, and Larry Pleau. He finished as the 13th all-time leading goalscorer in the seven wild years of the WHA. The WHA elected him to their Hall-Of-Fame in 2012. He hung with the best of the WHA, including Real "Buddy" Cloutier, Robbie Ftorek, Anders Hedberg, and eventual teammate, Andre Lacroix. Webster topped the Whalers as their only 50-goal scorer in franchise history (53) and 103 points in their first season in Boston winning their Avco Cup title and first and only franchise title. "He was a dynamic player," commented former teammate, Tim Sheehy from Florida. "He, Terry Caffery, and Brit Silby were an excellent line. Silby was an NHL Calder Trophy winner (with Toronto in 1965-66), and Caffery (WHA Rookie of the Year) set him up so many times. He was a great finisher." In Webster's second season, he didn't lead the team in scoring. He was second by two points behind John French with 43 goals and 70 points. In the first year in Hartford, 1974-'75, he finished second to Wayne Carleton but tallied 40 goals and 64 points. In 1975-76 Webster was limited to just 55 games due to injuries but still managed to lead the Whalers with 33 goals and 83 points for the Kelly-Green harpooned logo Whalers. In 1976-77 he scored 33 goals and 85 points behind only Mike Rogers in assists. In 1977-78 his last active season in Hartford, his severe back injury limited him to just 20 games, but he was a point-a-game producer still with 15 goals and 20 points. The Whalers knocked off Edmonton and Quebec before losing in four to the mighty Winnipeg Jets in the Avco Cup final. He missed the entire last season of New England Whaler 1978-79 because of third back surgery. Many New England Whaler fans felt Webster's number eight should have been retired instead of the late Johnny "Pie" McKenzie's 19. Howard Baldwin, Sr. strictly did it, to antagonize the Bruins. The Bruins led by owner Jeremy Jacobs never voted for the Whalers to be a part of the NHL and forced them to abandon New England from their team name as a price of admission into the NHL. It was then and still is, a glaring oversight that it was never retired. After a low-ball post-career job offer, Webster ended his playing days in Glen Falls, NY, with a brand new AHL team, the Adirondack Red Wings as a player-coach and got in his last NHL game with Detroit. Before landing in Hartford, Webster was drafted by the Boston Bruins with the fourth pick, 19th overall, in the 1966 NHL Draft. They were the last six team draft before the first NHL expansion in 1967. He led the Niagara Falls Flyers and then OHA (now OHL) ins scoring 50 goals and 114 points in 54 games winning the Eddie Powers Trophy, but was voted only to the OHA Second All-Star team. The team won their second Memorial Cup in three years by downing the Estevan Bruins in five games with Webster scoring the double-overtime winner in Game 4, still the longest game in Memorial Cup history. Webster posted 18 points in 10 games of the tournament In 1965, they beat the Edmonton Oil Kings in five games as well in Edmonton. The 1968 team would feature three future New England Whaler teammates in Gary Swain, who finished number two behind him in scoring, Rick Ley and Brad Selwood and two future NHL'ers, Phil Roberto and Phil Myre. He played at the beginning of the early big, bad Bruins before they won a pair of Stanley Cups, but only got 11 games in three years. He played two years in Oklahoma City (CHL) before being involved in a merry-go-round of transactions. The Buffalo Sabres took him in the 1970 NHL expansion draft on June 10, 1970, but before he ever got to wear a Sabres sweater, he was dealt the same day to Detroit for Roger Crozier. Webster took advantage of the chance with the Red Wings and, in 1970-71, led them in scoring in 78 games with 30 goals and 67 points. Webster played on the last Gordie Howe Red Wing team that also featured Alex Delvecchio, Garry Unger, Red Berenson, and future star a rookie named, Mickey Redmond. He would play against Howe in the WHA when he was in Houston and was reunited with him on the New England Whalers in 1977. In 1971-72 his back problems first surfaced that saw him limited him to five games with the Red Wings and was traded again to the California Golden Seals for Ron Stackhouse on October 22, 1971. Then four months later, on February 12, 1972, he was taken in the WHA General Draft by the New England Whalers, and his hockey course was set. Webster had an even longer coaching career starting with an AHL Calder Cup championship for Adirondack in 1980-81 in just their second year of existence and the first of four the franchise would have. After two years, he went to coach the Tulsa Oilers in the old Central Hockey League, winning the title with future Whaler Dave Barr and future Ranger and current Vegas President of Hockey Ops, George McPhee. He then migrated to Salt Lake City (IHL) and was hired by the Rangers, but he coached just 15 games with Rangers in 1985-86 before resigning, because an acute inner ear infection prevented him from flying. Webster then spent two years with Windsor (OHL) in a bus orientated league from 1987-89, leading the Spitfires to their first OHL championship. The team had a 21 game playoff winning streak in 1988, getting to the Memorial Cup final in Chicoutimi, Quebec, but wound up losing in heartbreaking fashion 7-6 to the Medicine Hat Tigers coached by Barry Melrose. The team featured Ranger great Adam Graves and two current NHL coaches Peter DeBoer and Paul Maurice and NHL playing brothers, Darryl and Darrin Shannon. Maurice, who collected his 700th win this season, holds Webster as his primary coaching role model. "Tom Webster would be the guy," he said." He was my junior coach, who I eventually hired as an assistant coach in the NHL. He would absolutely be the man who influenced me the most. Really, really intense guy, but a big family guy, very emotional guy. Systems. That was kind of the first time I heard of the word systems, like, 'Hey, we've got a plan here.' After coaching the 1989 Canadian National Junior Team at the WJC tournament in Anchorage, Alaska finishing fourth, Webster returned to the NHL. He spent four years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 1989-1992 amassing, a solid record of 115-94-31 helping the Kings win their first franchise division title in 1991. Ironically, he was replaced with Barry Melrose. Webster coached the Detroit Jr. Red Wings (OHL) for one year in 1992-'93, then the next five seasons, he was as an Assistant Coach in the NHL for the two years in Philadelphia, the last season of the Hartford Whalers in Connecticut and their first two seasons in Carolina with the Hurricanes. He concluded his coaching career back in Windsor with the OHL Spitfires for four seasons till 2002. He was a long time pro and amateur scout with the Calgary Flames from 2003-2014 before retiring. Webster is the seventh member of the 1972 championship team to pass away being preceded by Mike Byers, John Cunniff, Teddy Green, Rick Jordan, Al Smith, and Tommy Williams. Read the full article

[mapleleafstrash]

Mason (Part Seven) - Morgan Rielly

A/N: Part Seven is here! I can’t believe this journey is almost over! I plan on doing an epilogue piece to wrap this mini series up! Thank you to everyone who’s stuck with this! I’m pleased to say this was my first series and I’m glad it’s been super sucessful! Love you all!

Requested: Yes/No

Characters: Morgan Rielly

Words: 4,207

Warnings: None

[Part One] [Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four] [Part Five] [Part Six]

“Mom! Let’s go!”

Looking away from one of Lady Leafs, you glanced down towards your son. Raising your eyebrow in question, he sighed, “I want to go see Dad,”

“Oh, they won’t be out yet,” Molly, Tyler Bozak’s wife waved off, giving Mason a smile, “they’ll be doing interviews and then be celebrating in the locker room,”

“Mason! Let’s go see Carlton!” Kanon, the son of Molly and Tyler shouted, running towards your now eight year-old-son.

Mason sighed, sending you a look, and you grinned in response, “it’ll make time go by faster,”

“Yeah, yeah.” Mason muttered, before he took off along side the younger boy.

Molly hummed, smiling towards your two sons, “I remember when I first met Mason, he’s sure sprouted over the past couple years,”

You nodded, looking towards you not-so-little boy. He had grown at least a foot and a half since you’d made the move to Toronto over two years ago. He wasn’t as affectionate in public as he used to be, but he still had his nightly cuddle with you on the couch. His voice had gotten a bit deeper, and he was really starting to look like Morgan.

Speaking of Morgan, he was currently celebrating his game seven win of the eastern conference finals. The Leafs were off to Edmonton to play for the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup, and you couldn’t have been more ecstatic. Being the team captain, you knew Morgan would take the longest in the dressing room, which always didn’t correlate well with Mason’s impatience.

Rubbing her belly subconsciously, Molly sighed, stifling a yawn. You sent her a knowing smile, “Baby kicking?”

“Oh yeah, she’s super energetic, especially at night,” she explained, patting her swollen stomach. She was due in July so she was really showing.

“Do you think you’ll have another?” Molly then questioned, as you both began your descent to the bowels of the Air Canada Centre, hoping to catch up to Kanon and Mason.

“I don’t know,” you replied. It had crossed your mind a couple times over the past year self admittingly. Seeing little ones running around the arena all the time had made you miss the times when Mason was just a little boy. Even since Morgan had come into the picture, Mason had done nothing but grow. You also wanted to give Mason the chance to be a big brother, as he had done really well with the younger Leafs children and you thought he’d be amazing with a younger sibling. The only thing hindering that idea was the fact that you didn’t exactly know how Morgan would feel about it. You only dreamed your little family could grow.

But hell, you weren’t even sure if your relationship was going to grow anymore, since you felt that Morgan and you had plateaued about a year ago. You were happy, and you were comfortable, but it wasn’t exactly passionate like it had once been. You’d fallen victim to routine. Everything revolved around hockey, and you knew walking into this situation that Morgan’s career would undoubtedly come first, but you were exhausted.

You barely had enough time for Mason to be spend time with Morgan, let alone have time for just the two of you one on one. You prioritized Mason’s relationship with his father over your own relationship with your boyfriend, and you accepted it. You weren’t bitter, not one bit. You just felt you were becoming too complacent with the situation, and it bothered you.

“Okay, let me put it this way, would you want to have another baby?” Molly asked again, and you nodded, “of course I would, I just don’t know if that’s the direction Morgan wants to take,” you sighed with a shrug. “Or if we even have the time for it,”

“Still having problems?” she then questioned, sending you a sympathetic smile.

“No, everything’s fine, and it’s not like we’ve ever had any major issues, I just feel like we’ve kind of stopped at a halt, you know? Like I keep questioning where this is all going, what’s the end goal?” you replied, and she nodded in understanding.

“Well marriage would be the next logical step wouldn’t it be?”

You shrugged again, “you’d have to ask Morgan. I don’t like bringing that type of heavy stuff up, especially when he’s still worried about hockey. Like, I don’t even know if I should expect anything more. We’re together. We’re happy, and we’re raising our son. Is it selfish of me to want more?”

Molly placed her hand on your shoulder supportively when you both stopped to wait for your two boys to finish up playing with the Leafs mascot. “I don’t think it’s selfish Y/N, I think it’s perfectly normal. You love Morgan, and he clearly loves you. Just talk to him, you might be pleasantly surprised,”

Sending her a thankful smile, you nodded. She was right. All you had to do was talk to Morgan. But deep down, you were afraid to question anything because you were scared he wasn’t going to give you the answer you were looking for.

“Kanon! C’mon, let’s go meet Daddy!” Molly called out, and her four-year-old turned towards her before flashing a grin and running back to the two of you. Mason followed Kanon back and came to a halt beside you, leaning his weight onto you.

Wrapping your arm around him, you sent him a smile, “getting tired?”

“Mhmm,” he mumbled back, sighing and nuzzling into you further.

“I’m sure Dad’s almost done,” you reassured, squeezing his side. Mason then looked up towards you, concern evident on his features, “are you okay Mom?”

Cocking your head towards Mason, you searched his blue eyes, “I’m great, what makes you think otherwise?”

“I don’t know, you just seem sad,” Mason replied, and you gave him a soft smile, “I’m fine Mace, I have my baby with me after all,” you grinned, pulling him into a tight side hug.

“Mom!” Mason complained, “I’m not a baby anymore,” he claimed, pouting up at you.

“Oh Mason, you’ll always be my baby,” you told him, and his lips curved upwards softly.

“Like you’ll always be my Mom,” Mason stated, and you nodded with a smile, “always,” you reminded and he chuckled.

Walking down the long familiar hallway alongside the Bozak’s, you finally reached the tightly sealed Leafs locker room. Lingering reporters and their camera crews still scurried about, and you looked away when you noticed a few of them snap photos of you and Mason. You never complained, but it still made you slightly uncomfortable that sports reporters always wanted photographs of the families.

“Y/N!”

Turning, you waved at Stephanie and Alannah, two other Leafs girlfriends, who were journeying up towards you. Mason looked down immediately, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink once he saw them coming and you smirked knowingly. Your son had developed a crush on Stephanie the second he had met her when you had come to Toronto. He was always very shy around her, but Steph always tried to get him to open up. The guys on the team thought it was hilarious, and always teased Mitch that Mason was going to steal Steph away from him once he got older.

“Hey Mason!” the blonde then chirped, causing Mason to look down slightly and mumble a low greeting. Alannah just chuckled, while Stephanie sent him a loving smile, “how’d you like the game?”

Mason shrugged and Steph scoffed, “Oh c’mon! It was awesome! Your Dad played great!”

“I guess,” Mason murmured, electing a chuckle from behind all of you, “I can see I impressed my son,”

Turning, you sent Morgan a smile as he walked out of the dressing room, with Zach, Mitch and Auston in tow. Mason blushed furiously, and scooted over towards Morgan to give him a hug. Morgan smiled down all knowing towards him and sighed, “I was just kidding bud,”

“Hey kid, what did I tell you about chatting up my girl. I’m watching you,” Mitch joked, poking Mason as he pulled away from Morgan.

Mason flushed towards the older boy, “What? No, I, I mean- I,”

“Oh, lay off Uncle Mitchy, you’re just jealous that Steph thinks Mason’s cuter than you,” Auston spoke, patting Mason reassuringly on the shoulder as he walked past your group, heading towards his waiting family just down the hall.

You giggled as Mitch followed after Auston, berating his best friend causing Auston to just roll his eyes. They were still as close as ever. Steph sighed, “well I guess that’s my cue, I’ll see you in Edmonton next week, right?” she then asked, looking towards you for confirmation.

You nodded, “if you guys set something up I’ll see, just text me,”

“Sounds good,” she replied, giving you a quick hug before she took off after her boyfriend.

“We’re gonna head out too, I’ll see you later Y/N,” Alannah then spoke up, waving as she walked hand in hand with Zach, who sent you a warm smile.

“Bye,” you spoke, watching them walk down the hallway before looking back towards your two boys. With his hand on Mason’s back, Morgan sent you a smile, “ready to head out?”

“As long as you are,” you replied, before walking over to take Morgan’s other outstretched hand.

Walking out of the arena, your hand grasped tightly in Morgan’s, you headed towards the parking lot where Morgan’s SUV was waiting. Running ahead, Mason quickly slid into the back seat and closed the door, just as fast as Morgan had unlocked the doors.

“So,” you spoke, turning to stare up at Morgan.

He smiled softly, “So?”

“Stanley Cup finals huh?” you questioned, raising your eyebrows and biting your lip.

Morgan grinned, “I know, I honestly can’t even believe it. Like, I can’t even put into words how I feel right now,”

“Morgan Rielly’s speechless? That’s a first,” you joked, playfully pushing him.

Morgan chuckled, “Just imagine how all the reporters felt, I didn’t give them much tonight,”

You rolled your eyes, “I wouldn’t worry about that, you give them enough during the season,”

“That is true,” Morgan nodded, as he reached out to pull you into him. Hugging him tightly, you breathed in his familiar scent. Feeling Morgan press his lips to the top of your head, he sighed happily, “I’m just glad you and Mason could be here for this,”

“We wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” you stated, squeezing Morgan tighter in reassurance. “I’m so happy for you Morgan, and I’m proud too. It’s amazing to watch your dreams coming true,”

Morgan sent you a soft smile as he pulled away slightly to look down into your eyes, “I love you Y/N, and I can’t thank you enough for everything you do for me,”

Your lips curved upwards, “I love you too,”

Stepping up onto your tippy-toes, you pressed your lips up against Morgan’s, kissing him gently. Smiling into the kiss, Morgan gripped your hips tightly and gave you a squeeze as he pulled away, “let’s go home,”

By the time you pulled into the familiar parking lot of your condo building, Mason had nodded off to sleep. Rather than wake him up, Morgan surprisingly was still able to carry Mason’s growing frame.  Following you into the building, you led Morgan into the elevator and down the hallway towards your shared apartment. Once you had unlocked the door, Morgan took Mason into his bedroom to get him into bed, where you journeyed into your shared bedroom.

Walking into your bathroom, you quickly washed your face and brushed your teeth, before placing your hair up into it’s usual bun for sleeping. As you were slipping out of your clothes, Morgan walked into the bedroom and came to a halt when he saw you. Looking up, you raised an eyebrow as he shut the door.

“Special occasion or something?” Morgan questioned, as his eyes raked up and down your body. Gazing down, you rolled your eyes. You were wearing a new set of lingerie you’d picked up earlier in the week.

“No, it’s just new,” you laughed, throwing your discarded shirt towards him.

Avoiding it, Morgan snickered while you turned to go into your closet. “Well as nice as it is, I think it would look even better on the floor,” Morgan spoke, and you chuckled, “is that so?”

“I’m almost positive actually,” he breathed out as he walked up behind you and placed his hands onto your bare hips. You took a shaky breath as his lips came into contact with your exposed shoulder. Biting your lip, you felt Morgan trail his lips down towards your shoulder blades, while his fingers slowly worked on your bra’s clasps.

As much as you wanted to give into Morgan’s advances, your conversation with Molly was still present in the back of your head. You had promised yourself you’d at least try to talk to Morgan, so you bit the bullet.

“Morgan,” you sighed, pulling away.

Raising an eyebrow, Morgan cocked his head in question. Pursing your lips, you took his hand and led him to your bed. Taking a seat on the edge of the mattress, you suddenly didn’t know what to say, or rather, how to say it. Sensing your hesitation, Morgan reached over and placed his hand on your cheek, “Y/N, what’s wrong baby?”

Looking up, you sighed, “nothing’s wrong Morgan, I just, I’ve had something on my mind for a while now, and I’ve been waiting for a good time to try and discuss it,”

“What is it?” Morgan questioned, sounding concerned. Taking his hand, you held it tightly, “have you ever, thought about, us? And I mean, like our future,”

“Of course, I think about us Y/N, I think you about you all the time,” Morgan said, his blue eyes staring into yours. “It might not seem like it sometimes, but I love you more than I ever have,”

You smiled slightly, “Don’t get me wrong Morgan, I’m quite happy, and I’m so in love with you that it hurts when you’re not here, but, sometimes I wish we, well where is our relationship going? I don’t want to pressure you, but I want to be with you for the rest of my life, and I want to be able to one day call you my husband, and be able to introduce myself as Y/N Rielly,” you explained truthfully, “I just feel like we’re in this weird limbo.”

Morgan nodded slowly, taking your words in. Firming your lips together, you sighed when Morgan decided not to speak, and pulled away. “Just forget I said anything,” you muttered, standing up to head back to the bathroom.

“No, Y/N,” Morgan sighed, reaching out to grab your wrist.

Raising an eyebrow towards him, you watched as Morgan stood and placed his hands onto your shoulders, staring down at you, “It’s not that I don’t want that, and you’re right, I feel like that too sometimes. I feel like we’re almost stagnant, but I’m happy. I’m happy I get to come home to you, and I’m happy we’re together. I guess, I’ve just been using hockey as an excuse not to act,”

You nodded solemnly and Morgan sighed, “I’m not saying no, I’d never say no to you,”

You smirked at that, and Morgan reached up with one hand to brush your stray hairs back, “but I just need some time. And I know I’ve had all the time in the world, but let’s just get through playoffs, okay? I swear when we’re all done, cup or not, we’ll sit down and discuss this, because I’d love to call you my wife Y/N, and that’s a promise,”

Nodding, you smiled and hugged Morgan tightly, with Morgan immediately returning your embrace. Kissing your forehead, he pulled away and sent you a small smile, “now I don’t know about you, but I’m bushed,”

You laughed, “you weren’t saying that five minutes ago,”

“Well, go get changed then before I change my mind,” Morgan quipped back, sending you a quick wink.

Nearly two weeks later, you found yourself sitting on the edge of your seat at the Air Canada Centre. With your hands grasped tightly together, your eyes kept switching back and forth between the ice and the shot clock.

It was game six, and the Leafs had a 3-2 series lead over the Oilers. With only three minutes left to go in the third period, the Leafs were only up by one goal, making your heart thunder in anticipation. Mason, decked out in Morgan’s jersey, stood next to you, unable to sit himself, as he watched his father and his team march towards history.

The stress was eating you alive. Family and friends of all the players sat all around you, an aura of both nervousness and excitement swirling through the section. The Leafs, as good as they were, were known for blowing leads, and this was the one game where that absolutely could not happen.

You took a sigh of relief when the ref’s whistle suddenly blew as Frederik Andersen pounced on the bouncing puck. Looking towards you with the same expression from the seat next to yours, you sent Molly a smile.

“Yeah, you get him Dad!” Mason screamed, causing you to look towards your son in surprise at his outburst. But when the crowd started roaring, you looked back to the ice and your eyes widened.

Morgan had gotten into a shoving match with one of the Oiler’s fourth liners, which led to the Leafs captain getting sucker punched in the face. Gasping, you watched as Zach skated over and suddenly ripped the player off of Morgan, tackling him to the ice. A full out brawl between both sides then erupted around the Leafs net. But you didn’t care about that.

Cupping your hands around your mouth, you stared towards Morgan, and his bleeding nose. Even though you sat hundreds of feet away, you could still see how beat up he looked. Your gut lurched at the sight. You hated seeing Morgan get hurt, let alone be in pain.

“He’ll be fine Y/N, you and I both know he’s had much worse than that,”

Feeling a comforting hand on your shoulder, you looked back and nodded towards Andy Rielly, who along with Shirley, had come to Toronto to see their son play.

“I don’t like seeing that either though,” Shirley then added, sending her husband a look.

Andy sighed, “they’ve got less than two minutes, they can do this,”

Turning back at the sound of the whistle, you tried to watch the game but your eyes kept going back to the Leafs bench where you could see Morgan getting fixed up by the trainer. You could see him nodding towards the other man, and giving his coach the thumbs up. You held your breath once you saw Babcock nod towards Morgan, sending him out onto the ice.

As your eyes trailed behind Morgan’s movements, the screaming crowd around started counting down the final minute of play. Standing up along with everyone else, you prayed the Leafs would do it. With forty seconds to go, Auston collected the puck from centre ice and began his trek down into the offensive end. Cycling the puck back to Zach, you watched Morgan glide into the open high slot.

It felt like you were watching a movie; As Zach passed the puck swiftly towards Morgan, he skated backwards, using his momentum to move the puck down to the heel of his stick. Looking up into traffic, Morgan than snapped his wrists, his back leg moving up into the air as he shot the puck towards the net. Bodies around you began jumping up and down in celebration and screams of victory shot through the air, as the puck passed by the Oilers goalie and the goal horn sounded.

Standing in shock, you watched Morgan and his teammates leap up and down on the ice. The Leafs bench had erupted as well, with players hugging one another as a mere eleven seconds were left on the shot clock. Victory was now guaranteed. Grabbing your arms, Mason pulled you over and jumped up and down, a massive grin appearing on his face.

“Dad scored! Dad scored!” he screamed in joy, causing you to laugh and join your son in celebration.

The next twenty minutes were a blur. As the city rejoiced in the Leafs first Stanley Cup win in over half a century, everyone’s eyes were on the team in blue celebrating on home ice. You stood with your phone out, capturing every moment. You felt tears rushing to your eyes when you watched the commissioner present Morgan with the cup. You filmed Morgan as he took his skate, with the cup proudly held in the air above his head for all to see.

Eventually, your section was ushered down onto the ice to join the team. Holding Mason’s hand, you carefully stepped out onto the ice to find Morgan. As if he sensed you, familiar blue eyes locked with yours before Morgan skated towards the both of you. Grinning brightly, Mason jumped into Morgan’s arms, hugging his father tightly.

“I’m so proud of you Dad!” Mason exclaimed, causing Morgan to smile gratefully down towards his son.

Moving towards you, you reached up to embrace Morgan. Sending him a smile, you placed both your hands onto Morgan’s cheeks, “You did it, you won the cup,”

Morgan grinned, happiness oozing from his stature. “I can’t believe it,”

“And you scored!” you laughed, “you scored an amazing goal Morgan!”

Giving him a quick kiss, you backed away to allow him to greet his parents. “You guys want it next?”

Turning, you smiled at Auston, “could you take a few photos?” you asked, handing him your phone, and he nodded with a grin, “of course!”

Standing in the middle, with the cup positioned in front, you stood on Morgan’s left, his arm wrapped around you, while Mason stood in front of the both of you, your hand on his shoulder. With his parents on his right, you all smiled while Auston took a few photos. Making sure everyone got their own individual as well, Morgan took a few photos with his parents and then made sure get some with Mason as well.

“Babe, come take a few with me,” Morgan requested, waving you over from your spot beside Shirley.

Walking over, you stood with Morgan while he held you close and you smiled for the camera. “One more,” Morgan said to Auston, as he turned to you and caught you by surprise by placing his lips onto yours. Smiling into the kiss, you made sure to stay still in order for Auston to capture the moment.

“Thanks so much,” you said, walking up to Auston to grab your phone.

“No worries Y/N,” Auston said, before giving you a quick hug.

Noticing the people standing behind Auston giving you weird smiles, you raised an eyebrow. Shaking it off, you then noticed Auston giving you the same look. “What?” you questioned the younger boy, feeling confused. “Is something wrong?”

Auston chuckled, “do us all a favour, just turn around,”

Blinking at his words, you shrugged and spun around, and immediately gasped when you realized what was happening. Mason stood with a massive smile on his face in between his grandparents, who looked just as joyful while they stared towards their son.

Morgan, sweaty equipment and all, stood before you, down on one knee. In his one hand, he held a black jewelry box, with a beautiful cut diamond ring inside. With your hands covering your mouth, you stared down shocked towards the man you loved. With everyone’s eyes on you, Morgan gazed up at you, his soft smile playing on his lips, “I know I’ve caught you off guard, but the last week I’ve thought about doing this every night.”

“Morgan,” you breathed, your eyes still wide with surprise.

“I’ve loved you more and more everyday since the moment I met you Y/N, and you’ve given so much. You’ve given me love, you’ve given me support, and you gave me the best gift I could’ve ever asked for in Mason. I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, I’m asking you, right here, and right now, would you do me the honour of being my wife?”

You moved your hands away from your mouth, more tears falling down your cheeks then ever before.

“Y/N, will you marry me?”

You nodded enthusiastically, “Yes, yes of course Morgan,” you answered, rushing up to him to embrace him tightly. Holding you close, Morgan pressed his lips to yours. The group around you on the ice cheered for the both of you, while the fans who were still in the stands clapped for you and the Leafs captain.

Pulling away, Morgan then took the gorgeous diamond ring out of its holder, and slipped it onto your left ring finger. Hugging you again, you closed your eyes and took the moment in.

“I love you Morgan,” you spoke out and Morgan smiled, looking down towards you lovingly, “I love you too, future Mrs. Rielly,”

Now you liked the sound of that.

[stainyourhands]

Freaky Friday AU (Sidney Crosby/Claude Giroux): Part I/II

It's been a disappointing season.

Sid is okay enough with his production.  Third in the league in points and assists in 77 games, his second almost-full season in a row, but it's not enough.  The Pens barely squeaked into the playoffs and, once there, put up no fight.

Down and out in five games.  With no answer to Hank or the Rangers' scorers, it wasn't even a contest.

It's embarrassing.

"OT," Flower offers with a shrug, as if a Game 5 OT loss is somehow better than a regulation loss.

Sid grunts, drops his head heavily into his palm, and stares out the window as New York City flickers and dims behind them.  At least it's a relatively quick two-hour flight.  Just enough time to bury himself deep in regret, frustration, and the feeling that it's all slipping away from him.  

The Next Great One.  Canada's Golden Boy.  But, at twenty-seven, Sid isn't much of a kid anymore, and the media seems plenty happy to pass the baton to McDavid and Eichel and that Matthews kid as if Sid's done, over, past his prime.

"The End of an Era," the media will write tomorrow morning.

They'll quote the sound bites Sid fed them in between OT and the showers. "We faced a lot of adversity this year" and "we struggled with a lot of injuries; we never really got going as a team" and "the guys did a great job and we showed a work ethic we can built on."

When Sid will really be thinking that it isn't fair.  That it isn't over.  That he still has ten or twelve good years left, if he can avoid another concussion.

All he can think about now, though, in the dark and quiet of the plane, with Flower sleeping beside him and Geno angrily betting away a month's salary in on-line Poker behind him, is that he hasn't done enough.

Suddenly his two Gold Medals and one Stanley Cup feel like pittance against the expectations set a decade ago.  A decade that started with so much promise - back when Sid was the youngest captain in the league with a Cup and a Hart Trophy already under his belt – and has ended with a Dynasty in Chicago, two surprise Cups in LA, and six straight disappointing playoff exits for the Pens.

He wants more.  He expects more.  Pittsburgh and Canada and Mario and his parents, they all expect more.

Sid's always been good at dealing with expectations.  They come with the job, with playing hockey the way he wants to play it.  Somewhere over the middle of Pennsylvania, the disappointment of missing those expectations crystalizes into anger and resentment that those expectations have been thrust upon him at all.

It must be etched into the lines around his mouth.  As they land in Pittsburgh, Geno wraps his long, callused fingers around Sid's neck, squeezing a direction into his skin.  Every thought of going home to a bottle of vodka and a day or two of sleep fly out the door as Sid lets himself be led into the passenger seat of Geno's SUV.

It's long after midnight, and when Geno reaches over to rest a comforting hand on Sid's knee, Sid focuses on that, rather than the city rushing by or the soft whispers of their teammates in the backseat.  He tries to remember what this was like almost six years ago, sitting in this exact seat with the Stanley Cup in the car behind them.  He's almost forgotten what it's like to celebrate a win with Pittsburgh's fans, rather than drown a loss in one of the city's most exclusive clubs.

Sid feels like he's hiding.  From the fans' disappointment or continued belief in him, he's not quite sure.

"Is dark," Geno says, when they climb out of the car and he's close enough to tap at Sid's head. "In here."

"Yeah," Sid agrees.

"Is-?" Geno pauses, tilts his head, continues. "Is like before?  With concussion?"

Sid shakes his head, quick and hard enough to set off the low grain headache always hovering at the base of his spine.  The doctor's say it'll probably be there forever. "No, I'm fine.  Just- I hate losing."

Geno snorts. "We buy shots.  Make losing better."

Sid decides that he'll do whatever he can to prove Geno right.  To succeed in at least this, when he didn't do any good helping Geno score power play goals, or any other kinds of goals, for that matter.  

They drink enough for Sid to start dancing.  He mostly uses the robot moves that Colby taught him years ago, and they're old-hat by now.  His teammates never seem to tire of watching him though, urging him on with shots and cat calls and song requests with angular enough beats for Sid's moves to work.

Sid loves them for it.  He loves them like brothers, like family, but even through the alcohol haze he knows that this is the last time they'll all be together like this.  With losing seasons comes change, and Sid wears each of the boys they've lost – Colby, Jordan, Nealsy, the list goes on and on – like bruises down his spine, soft and sore whenever he turns just right or thinks just the wrong thoughts.

"It doesn't matter," he tells Geno, his face pressed into Geno's neck as dawn starts rising in the East and they stumble out of the club to hail a cab. "I miss them, and it doesn't matter.  We still don't win."

"Who?" Geno frowns, giving the cab driver directions to his favorite little Russian café, tucked away in the Pittsburgh hills.  Nana is always open for Geno, and she throws open the doors with her arms wide open, gathering both Sid and Geno from the cab into her arms.

"Thank you," Sid says, as he clings to her and misses his own grandmother back in Nova Scotia. "For opening so early."

Nana tuts, pinching his ear and dragging him into the restaurant. "I watch game on TV.  I know you boys will be here."

"Well, all the same." Sid shrugs, rubbing at the back of his ear as he slumps into his seat.

Nana's already been cooking and she piles their table full of strong teas and biscuits and thick, hearty soups that coat their stomachs and soak up some of the vodka they'd been drinking.  They eat in silence for long minutes, listening to the Russian opera Nana plays in the kitchen, until Sid stops to blow at his soup and pick up the string of their conversation again.

"I just want a winger," Sid blurts, before backtracking quickly. "I mean, I love Duper and Kuni.  You know I-"

Geno's probably rolling his eyes, but Sid can't really tell behind the soup bowl he has raised to his mouth. "Yes, Sid, I know.  You love teammates.  We family."

"Yeah."

"But deserve better winger.  Playmaker, sniper.  I know." Geno pushes a loaf of bread across the table as he nods. "I deserve, too."

"Yeah."

"Like Sasha."

Sid frowns at the hunk of break he's tearing off to dip into the soup.  He can barely hear the opera from the kitchen anymore and he can feel Nana listening to them. "Maybe not Ovi, specifically."

Geno waves him away. "He score."

"Yeah, but-" Sid jabs at a piece of potato with his bread. "That'd be almost as bad as Giroux."

Geno shivers.

Sid laughs, parrots, "he scores," and lifts his bowl to finish off the dregs of his soup.

Geno's still frowning when Sid puts the bowl down and Sid snorts, throwing the rest of his bread at Geno's chest.

"Don't be an idiot.  I don't actually want Giroux as my winger." He sobers a little, his headache returning as the rich, thick food starts to settle. "It's just that hockey is all I have, you know?  I put everything else on hold while I did this, as well as I can, for as long as I can.  And all I have to show for it are an empty house and a Cup." He holds up his index finger to emphasize and Geno frowns.

"You best, Sid.  It matter."

Pots clang and drawers slam in the kitchen, and then Nana's at their table, holding a glass of clear liquid with silver and gold flecks in it.  She clucks as she hands it to Sid. "Chin up," she chides, and Sid flushes.  He knows he sounds particularly maudlin and despondent, but he just needs to get it out tonight and then he'll be fine.

"Geno doesn't get any?" Sid asks, smelling the drink and almost gagging.  It smells strong, even worse than the stuff Geno's brother brings whenever he visits.

Nana shakes her head. "Is from my village, in Siberia.  Special vodka, cannot be gotten anywhere else.  If very expensive."

"I can share," Sid offers, cutting of Geno's protest.

"No, no, you guest.  And you need more."

Sid frowns.  He doesn’t know what that means.

She taps her foot, crossing her arms across her bosom. "Drink up."

Sid knows better than to cross her, so he tilts his head back to swallow the shot.  It's sweeter than he thought it would be, heavily spiced and even stronger than the smell suggested.  It burns down his throat and, when he coughs, spreads from his lungs outwards until his whole body is warm and buzzing with it.

Across the table, Geno makes a noise of protest and Nana sighs. "You know where regular vodka is.  Do not take good stuff."

Geno scrambles up from the table and, as he disappears into the kitchen, Nana leans against the table, close enough to Sid's face that he can count the wrinkles on her weathered face.

"Now you listen to me.  We don't have much time."

"Time?" Sid asks.  His mouth feels a little heavy and slow, and he can't seem to make his muscles move to lean away from her. "Time for what?"

She puts a hand to his mouth. "Shh, listen."

Sid nods.  Or, tries to not.  He's not sure if he succeeds.  His neck is weak, almost too weak to hold his head up anymore, and his vision's going spotty at the edges.  The way it does, right after a hit and right before the diagnosis that has left him off the ice too many times.

He's tired.  His eyes are closing, and Nana grabs his shoulders, her fingers two boney points for him to focus on as she says, her voice rushed and low and serious.

"There are things you must learn, ма́льчик." Young boy. "Figure out what is missing, only then can you return."

"Return?  Where am I going?" Sid's voice sounds worried he thinks, but he's hearing it from a distance, deep within the fog already engulfing him.  Nana's face is growing blurred and distant, and he has to strain to hear Geno in the kitchen, opening cupboards and muttering to himself in Russian.

"Good luck." She squeezes his shoulders, pressing a papery kiss to his forehead.

Sid wants to scream for Geno, but he's falling deeper, deeper, deeper.  And then everything goes black.

***

[truesportsfan]

Patrick Marleau’s departure signals the end of an era in San Jose

The departure of Patrick Marleau and the rumblings of disgruntlement from Joe Thornton seem to signal the end of an era for both the San Jose Sharks and hockey itself.

It’s spring 2007 and you’ve just managed to curate the perfect playlist for the coming months. You open your LimeWire account and download (steal) as many songs as you can find — clean versions only, so mom doesn’t get mad — and get to work burning a few CDs.

Brandishing a sharpie, you title your mix “Hockey Jamz 007 (Clean)”, grab your mini boombox and run outside with your little brother. Waiting for you outside is a Mylec street hockey net and two KOHO sticks — the kind with the white plastic blade and “Jagr” inscribed down the side.

The San Jose Sharks are set to begin their first round series against the Nashville Predators later that night, so you and your brother have some voodoo to work out. Jim Jones’s “We Fly High” bumps out of the speakers and you’re off to the races.

Lining up as Joe Thornton on a draw against an imaginary Jason Arnott, you sweep the puck back to Patrick Marleau, who for some reason is holding his stick backwards but whatever, and boom. Marleau coasts a shot past the invisible goalie and the two of you celebrate in the driveway.

Despite the dated references and overall lack of athletic ability displayed in this scene, this is an image that can be found across the hockey world. Whether it’s 1999, 2007, 2013 or 2020, if you’ve followed the game of hockey for the past two decades, you’ve grown up with Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton in your life.

Now, with Marleau moving on to greener — or grayer — pastures in Pittsburgh and Jumbo nearing the end of his rope in the Bay, it seems as though a duo that has dazzled hockey for years has now become just a memory.

Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images

Marleau moves on: Part Deux

This isn’t the first time Marleau has left San Jose. In the summer of 2017, the cap-strapped Sharks were unable to retain Marleau and he signed a hefty deal in Toronto on his quest for the Stanley Cup. It was a strange sight, but it lacked the air of permanence this newest departure to Pittsburgh has.

It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Marleau would return to the Sharks after he was bought out by the Hurricanes, who had acquired his contract in a salary dump by the Leafs. Sure enough, Marleau signed a cheap deal with San Jose just a few games into the 2019-20 season. Balance was restored in the universe — for the time being.

However, the sequel feels different. Pittsburgh presents a legit opportunity for Marleau to capture his first Stanley Cup. If he were to haul down the hardware that has eluded him for so long, wouldn’t it make sense for him to call curtains on his storied career? Even if he didn’t want to retire yet, it’s unlikely that returning to San Jose would be a smart move.

The Sharks have one of the league’s worst cap situations, not many legit prospects to build around and a lack of overall roster depth that will likely usher in a few years of a total rebuild following this season. Going back to San Jose would drastically diminish any chance Marleau had at winning the Stanley Cup.

Marleau’s legacy

Drafted in 1997 and making his debut in the 1997-98 season, Marleau showed immediate flashes that he was going to be something special. Breaking the 20-goal mark in just his second season, his combination of finesse and creativity gelled with the ease of the Bay area lifestyle.

Despite never bringing a Cup to the Bay, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Marleau helped the Sharks reach the playoffs in 17 of the 20 seasons he played for the club and amassed 68 goals and 120 points in over 170 postseason games. Owning four playoff overtime goals and three playoff hat tricks, Marleau was clutch.

For 19 seasons following his draft day, Marleau would break both the 500 goal and 1,000 point milestones. After returning to the Sharks earlier this season for year 20, Marleau would play his 1,500th game with the franchise, elevating his name into a class that includes just six other players, including Gordie Howe, Nicklas Lidstrom and Steve Yzerman. He holds the top spot in virtually every statistical category in Sharks history, except for assists which is held by long-time teammate Thornton.

Beyond the ice, Marleau’s likeness took on a life of its own in the NHL video game series. An absolutely electric forward consistently sporting a 90-plus overall rating, Patty was almost like having a cheat code at your disposal. When paired alongside Jumbo, forget about it. It may seem silly, but for many young fans growing up in the early 2000s — especially those with little to no athletic ability like yours truly — these games provided an entry point into the sport and a different way to engage with marquee players.

Though it’s uncertain, and perhaps unlikely, that “Mr. Shark” will end his career in teal, he’s given both the city of San Jose and the hockey world at large two decades of memories.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Here’s looking at you, Joe

Given that Marleau had left the Sharks once before, it didn’t feel like that much of a stretch to see his name swirling around at the deadline. It was a jolt, however, to see Thornton’s name out there.

Although Jumbo hasn’t been with the Sharks as long as Marleau had been, in some ways his image had become tied to the team even more so. The long, scraggly beard with the gray streak down the middle, his hulking frame cruising around the ice, his unabashed love of a certain Tomas Hertl four-goal performance and of course the captain’s “C” marking his jersey for many years.

If Marleau was Mr. Shark, Jumbo was… Daddy Shark? Something like that.

However, he was perhaps just a phone call away from being moved to the Bruins or Stars this past deadline. There was some relief that Thornton didn’t get moved, as the Sharks losing both him and Marleau on the same day may have been too much to comprehend.

This was followed by a touch of melancholy after Thornton let it be known Tuesday that he was quite disappointed he didn’t get moved. During a pre-game media scrum, he used choice words when speaking about about the deadline and his quest for the Stanley Cup.

“I wanted a shot, you know? Believe it or not. I’ve been hunting this thing down for 22 years, so I wanted another shot at it.”

Thornton hasn’t been shy about being outspoken during his career, once telling general manger Doug Wilson to “shut up.” Yet, this discontent is palpable. This isn’t a squabble with management or teammates. This is him considering what’s best for him at this point in his career.

At 40 years of age and his production dwindling year by year, the window for Thornton to even be considered a positive addition to a club is small. Now that he has flirted with the idea of moving on, perhaps he takes the plunge this summer and explores finding a new home.

With the Sharks struggling to find a direction following a disastrous 2019-20 season, we may be seeing the end of the Marleau-Thornton era. Will the two find success as their travels move them beyond San Jose, or will Lord Stanley’s Cup continue to prove unobtainable for the duo as their legacy wisps away from the surface of the ice and into the sport’s lore?

Next: EBUG Dave Ayres is the GOAT

Follow FanSided NHL for more news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage about hockey in all forms throughout the entire 2019-20 NHL season and beyond.

source https://truesportsfan.com/sport-today/patrick-marleaus-departure-signals-the-end-of-an-era-in-san-jose/

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON'S CORNER: WOLF PACK OFF-SEASON REPORT, VOLUME 8

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Another busy week of news as the NHL Entry draft is less than 24 hours away. NHL DRAFT The yearly confab of the entire NHL will be in Dallas on Friday and Saturday as they begin selecting players for the future. The Rangers are expected to be among the teams most likely to be wheeling and dealing. They presently have 52 players under contract, two over the required CBA of 50 allowed. A percentage of those players have expiring contracts and will be RFA's or UFA’s until the end of the month. Adam Tambellini was released. Steven Fogarty was given a qualifying offer. Hubert Labrie and John Albert, both acquired from Hershey, are two others likely not to return. Labrie as a result of a glut of defenseman in the organization. Albert, who was earning a serious six figure deal last year, will likely be Europe bound. All RFA's including Scott Kosmachuk, Dan DeSalvo, Chris Bigras were made qualifying offers. The Pack will see an influx of new players like Sean Day, Tim Gettinger, Brett Howden, and Libor Hajek at training camp. There will also be ten draft picks from the Rangers draft. Free agency for NHL and AHL starts on July 1st. CALDER CUP FINALS GAME 7 The Toronto Marlies were not to be denied and reeled off four goals in the third period to capture their first Calder Cup. They knocked on the door the last two years, but got it on the very last game of hockey in North America and Europe this season. Andreas Johansson, whose second period goal broke a one-one tie, turned out to be the game winner. He was named the AHL Jack Butterfield Playoff MVP with 24 points in 16 post season games (10-14). Mason Marchment, the son of former Hartford Whaler, Bryan Marchment, was one of four players with two points each. He scored twice in the 6-1 win including the last goal of the game on an off balance turnaround slapshot. Ex-Pack Chris Mueller was among three players on the Marlies squad to capture their second Calder Cup title. The loss for Texas goalie Mike McKenna, who faced 40+ shots in each of the last two games, came up short on securing a championship in a Game 7 two years in a row. The 35-year-old netminder may have seen his last chance for a title. Curtis McKenzie had a strong tournament as the second highest post season scorer. In 22 games he had 11 goals and 20 points. The title was the first pro hockey title for the city since the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967. They are the first Maple Leafs farm team to win an AHL title since 1981-’82 when the New Brunswick (Moncton) ‘Hawks, a dual affiliate with Chicago, took home the silver chalice. The Toronto Marlboros of the OHA (now OHL) captured the Memorial Cup title in 1975, their second in two years with Bruce Boudreau, former Whaler and Nighthawk, John Anderson (they are now the head and assistant coach in Minnesota) future NHL’ers Islanders great, John Tonelli (whose two sons who now play at Taft Prep in Watertown), Mark Napier, John Smrke, Mike Kascycki, former Ranger, Whaler, Nighthawk, Mike McEwan, Trevor Johansen, and Mike Kitchen. The Marlies won all the odd numbered games of the series 1, 3, 5, and 7. Joining Mueller (with 12 assists and 16 points) in savoring a title was Marlies team captain, Ben Smith, who became the 126th player of an elite group to capture a Calder Cup and Stanley Cup title. The Texas Stars had two ex-Sound Tigers in Matt Mangene and Colin Markison who both fell short of a title. Ex-Pack defenseman Mike Paliotta (Westport/Choate Prep) was a Black Ace and didn’t dress for any games of the Calder Cup playoffs. PLAYER  AND COACHING MOVEMENT Another ex-Wolf Pack is hanging up the skates. The ever-ebullient and self-confident Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau is retiring. PA, as he was known, came to the Wolf Pack in 2008. He would play two-and-a-half seasons in Hartford. In 181 games he had 83 goals and 96 assists (179 points) and 286 PIM. He was an Assistant Captain in his last season. Starting his full-time NHL career at age 27, Parenteau tallied 114 goals and added 182 assists over 491 games. He played  with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators. The Boucherville, Quebec, native who was born in Hull (nee Gatineau), entered the league as ninth-round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks in 2001. He became an NHL regular with the New York Islanders during the 2010-11 season. Parenteau matched his career-high with 20 goals in 77 games with the Maple Leafs during the 2015-16 season. He played in a Stanley Cup final with Nashville two years ago. He resides with his family in the greater Moncton, New Brunswick area where he started his career with the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL). Former Whaler Dave Tippett has surfaced after leaving the Arizona Coyotes as their head coach just about a year ago. Tippett has been named a Special Advisor for Seattle Hockey Partners LLC., the operating company for the potential Seattle NHL franchise. They are working on completing their NHL expansion application that will likely to be voted on in the fall by the NHL BOG. Clearly, Tippett will have a role with the team in some fashion when that day comes. READ MORE HERE Wethersfield native and ex-Sound Tiger, Colin McDonald, re-signs an AHL veteran deal with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for a fourth straight year. He has worn the C in all four years for the Phantoms. The team will celebrate their fifth year in Allentown, PA this year. McDonald will be earning more than $300K a year. His father Gerry played for the Whalers and Nighthawks. In addition, the Flyers announced they had signed former UCONN (HE) defenseman Dallas Drake to an AHL deal likely at the AHL minimum of $70K a year. The deal comes after UCONN was knocked out by BU in the Hockey East playoffs. The towering 6'6, Drake, signed an ATO deal and played seven games with the Phantoms - including one at the XL Center near the end of the season. Former Yale Bulldog John Hayden signed a two-year, one-way contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) at $700K in year one and $800K in the second season. The AHL players to Europe has picked up as Ben Smith (Avon/Westminster Prep) literally out celebrating his Calder Cup win with his Toronto teammates last Thursday. Their captain saw a press release early in the morning German time that he had agreed to a three year deal with Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL). Markus Eisenschmid will be a teammate as he returns to his native Germany. Eisenschmid leads Laval for Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL). Alex Grant departs Iowa to Jokerit Helsinki (Finland-KHL) and Ty Loney, the son of former NHL’er Troy Loney, after splitting the season with Bakersfield and Syracuse while the part of his season was with Adirondack (ECHL) heads to EC Graz (Austria-AEHL). The latest pair is defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk. After playing 629 AHL games, Bonarchuk leaves Texas for EHC Munich (Germany-DEL) while teammate Tyler Kelleher, acquired from Milwaukee, at the trade deadline, signs with ERC Ingolstadt (Germany-DEL). That makes 25 players from 16 AHL teams that have signed for Europe thus far and more to come. Derek Army, joins his father, Tim (now with the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins as an assistant coach) in the coaching ranks. He retired as an active player to become the assistant coach for the Worcester Railers (ECHL) in the fall. In his youth, Army played for Hotchkiss Prep (Washington, CT). Doug Christiansen, a former Danbury Trasher and Bridgeport Sound Tiger, was named the new head coach of the Manchester Monarchs (ECHL). He had been the USHL Director of Player Development the last four years. The Maple Leafs and Marlies have officially announced they are making the expansion Newfoundland Growlers their ECHL affiliate starting in the fall. The Maple Leafs had their AHL team in St. John’s from 1992 until 2007 before moving them to Toronto. In THIS story, the St. John’s Telegram on Sunday reported that former Ranger, Ryane Clowe, a Newfoundland native will be their very first head coach. Closer to home, the Adirondack Thunder (ECHL), who were purchased from Calgary a year ago by a local consortium called the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition, have made the final lease payment on their initial lease for the Thunder. The contract now takes them out to 2019 with an option of buying the building now known as the Cool Insuring Arena, formerly the Glens Falls Civic Center. Another playing Marchment this time has a new deal. Jake Marchment, the cousin to Mason, who split last season with Colorado (ECHL) and Utah (ECHL) on an AHL contract, signed with San Antonio and has signed an ECHL deal with Utah for next season. Ex-Pack, Jeff Ulmer, after playing in 1,147 games from the SJHL, NCAA, AHL to Europe in 25 cities, 17 leagues in 19 years, has retired after playing last year for EHC Lustenau (Austria-AlpsHL). Ulmer will be taking a yet to be announced job in hockey. His brother Jason also played in the AHL and Europe is also retired and is now the assistant coach at North Dakota. Kevin McKernan, of Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) and who played a few games in Ft. Wayne (ECHL) after the college season ended has signed a one year ECHL deal with the South Carolina Stingrays for next season. Ex-Sound Tiger, Tanner Eberle, who split last season between Allen (ECHL) and Jacksonville (ECHL), signs with the Sheffield Steelers (England-EIHL). Mike Dalhuisen, a former Sound Tiger and QU Bobcat, goes from Torpedo-Ust Kamenogorsk (Russia-VHL) to EC Bad Nauheim (Germany-DEL-2). Ex-Sound Tiger, Krill Kabanov, goes from the Danish champs Aalborg Pirates to the Krefeld Penguins (Germany-DEL). Glen Hanlon, a former Ranger and Nighthawk, was named the new head coach for DVTK (Hungary-MOL). Tomi Kallio, the boyhood hero of the Wolf Pack’s Lias Andersson, announced his retirement from hockey at age 41 after completing the season with TPS Turku (Finland-FEL). Kallio played with Andersson’s father Niclas in the 1990’s. Another NCAA player has signed to head for Europe. That makes 19 college players that have signed for Europe as Tyko Karjalainen returns home from Clarkson (ECACHL) to Finland to play with Kiekko-Vantaa (Division-1). 109 collegians have now signed prop deals since the end of the college hockey season. Two Hockey East transfers to Penn State from the Merrimack Warriors. Evan Bell, who left Merrimack after the first semester last year to go to the Fargo Force (USHL) where he helped lead them to the Clark Cup title, will be able to play for the Nittany Lions starting second semester. Ludvig Larsson leaves under the grad transfer rule because he obtained his undergraduate degree and can play immediately, but for only one year. Larsson become the first Swedish player and grad transfer for the six year old Division I program. Arizona State announced it will begin building a new hockey arena on campus starting in the spring of next year. Putting up this building will help the Sun Devils, currently operating as a NCAA Division I independent, to select a conference. This will likely help the Pac-10 take a dip into the college hockey pond in starting a true US West Coast Division I college hockey conference especially when Seattle is granted a 32nd NHL franchise sometime in the fall. The latest from the Arizona Republic can be read right HERE The roster for the US WJC team camp that will be held at the site of the summer WJC Summer Showcase (WJCSS) in Kamloops,BC  July 28-August 2 features a few CT names. In goal 2019, NHL Draft eligible, Spencer Knight (Darien/Avon Old Farms) a BC commit, sophomore goalie Keith Petruzzelli (Quinnipiac University) and Cayden Primeau, son of former Whaler Keith who is a sophomore as well at Northeastern (HE) and a Montreal draft pick. On defense, another pair of sophomores, Phil Kemp (Greenwich/Brunswick Prep) from Yale University (ECACHL) and Ben Miragaes (Avon Old Farms) from Providence College (HE). Then Mattias Samuelsson, a freshmen at Michigan (Big 10) and son of former Nighthawk and NHL’er, Kjell Samuelsson. Then up front Jack Drury, son of ex-Whaler Ted Drury and nephew of current Hartford GM and Rangers assistant GM Chris Drury who is Harvard (ECACHL) bound following his father’s skate blades. The brothers Drury from Trumbull played their high school hockey at Fairfield Prep where their number 18 is retired. Former Beast of New Haven Pat Mikesch now head coach/GM for the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) was named as guest coach for the US team at the WJCSS. Read the full article

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CANTLON'S CORNER: HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - It's the most thrilling time to be a hockey fan as the sport moves on to it's final series. STANLEY CUP FINALS It's amazing that the Las Vegas Golden Knights have made it to the championship round in their first year. The final starts on Monday night, Memorial Day, in Las Vegas and the Golden Knights have lots of connection to Connecticut. Ex-Hartford Wolf Pack and NY Ranger, Jonathan Marchessault, has been playing at a Conn Smythe level. Marchie's linemate, Reilly Smith, the younger brother of current Ranger and Wolf Pack, Brendan Smith, has as well. One of Gerard Gallant’s assistant coaches is another former Wolf Pack. He was the team's head coach, Ryan McGill. Former Hartford Whaler, Jim McKenzie, is a team scout while ex-Whaler, Murray Craven, is a Senior VP Special Advisor. The LVGK's opponents will be the Washington Capitals. They knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. The series loss ended the Stanley Cup dreams and that of ex-Pack and Rangers Ryan Callahan, J.T. Miller, Dan Girardi, and Ryan McDonaugh. The Caps have Connecticut connections as well. Lane Lambert is a former New Haven Nighthawks player and Bridgeport Sound Tiger head coach. He is one of the team's assistant coaches. Caps. GM/Senior VP is former New Haven Nighthawk in Brian McClellan and his Nighthawk teammate and a former Ranger, Steve Richmond, is the Director of Player Development.  AHL CALDER CUP FINAL In the West, the Texas Stars had a stranglehold on their series with the Rockford IceHogs, three games to none. The Stars feature ex-Pack, Mike Paliotta, and a pair of ex-Sound Tigers in Matt Mangene, and Colin Markison. Former Yale Bulldog John Hayden has two goals in the series for Rockford as they have rallied to narrow the series to three-games-to-two after a 3-1 win Friday night. Game 6 is a Monday night holiday contest in Texas coming in the midst of one those nasty Texas heat waves with everyday in the mid-90’s or better. The puck drops at 7 pm CST. The Toronto Marlies swept the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in four straight. They won Game 4 by the count of 3-1. Lehigh Valley tied the game at one when Wethersfield Colin McDonald, the Phantoms captain, fired a pass from the left wing goal line to Travis Sanheim who was coming off the right point. He beat an otherwise spectacular Garret Sparks to the far side. Andreas Johansson scored twice for Toronto who held the Phantoms shots over two games. Alex Lyon, the former Yale goalie, had one of the saves of the year to keep the game tied late in the second. Lyon was down and out and instinctively put up his right pad while lying face down, robbing Johansson. The Phantoms were shut down by Toronto as they were held to just 36 shots on goal total over the last two games. The Marlies won all six meetings this year with Lehigh Valley the only other team to do that - the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Marlies won the first three games in Toronto before the series shifted to Lehigh Valley. Ben Smith (Avon/Westminster Prep) scored twice in a 5-0 shutout of the Phantoms in Game 3. Lyon received what probably was the first goalie match penalty in over 20 years using his skate on a Marlies player. ECHL KELLY CUP FINALS The Colorado Eagles have one more chance at the title. They will defend their title in their last ECHL series as they will be upgraded next year to the AHL to be the top affiliate for the Colorado Avalanche. The Eagles will tango with the Florida Everblades. Colorado features ex-Pack, Michael Joly, and their assistant coach is ex-Pack Ryan Tobler. Florida has former Yale defenseman Gus Young and Kent Prep school teammate of Boo Nieves in Logan Roe. The Eagles won Game 1 Friday by a 3-1 score with Drayson Bowman getting a goal and an assist in a very chippy game that featured 96 PM, in the last 2:48 of the contest. Game 2 is Sunday night at 7 pm MST.  MEMORIAL CUP TOURNAMENT The host Regina Pats who haven’t played in six weeks (46 days) are playing for the Memorial Cup title Regina plays Acadie Bathurst Sunday night at 8 pm (NHL Network) to try to win the 100th edition of the Memorial Cup. The pursuit of the title comes after knocking off Hamilton 4-2 in the tournament semifinal Friday night who were considered the best team in the tournament Sam Steel, who been electric in the tournament, scored the game winner in the third and set up the empty net insurance goal before a home crowd. Steel was the first round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in last year's draft. He went 30th overall. To get to the semi-finals, the Pats won one of the wildest hockey games ever seen on Wednesday, 6-5, eliminating their fellow Saskatchewan-based WHL team, the Swift Current Broncos. The game was 1-0 midway through the contest where the teams combined for 10 goals over the final 30 minutes. The game winning goal came off the stick of Ranger prospect, Libor Hajek. The future Ranger defenseman came off the left point, took Steel’s cross ice pass and wired it over the glove of the Broncos' Stuart Skinner to make it 6-4. It was Steel’s fifth assist of the game tying a Memorial Cup record for helpers in a game. The Broncos almost tied with a tenth of a second left on the clock. After the puck had exited the Regina zone, the Broncos' Jake Leschyshyn fired the puck at the net. Pats goalie Cam Paddock went out to celebrate the win. The puck went into the net and on the video replay it showed a mere 1/10 of second left, but two Broncos were in the zone made it an offside play. The highly favored Acadie-Bathurst Titan won their first game of the round robin tournament in exciting fashion. They took the game 4-3 in overtime as two of the smallest markets in Canadian major junior hockey battled. Bathurst, New Brunswick has a population of 14,000 and is one of the most bi-lingual parts of Northern New Brunswick which borders Quebec. The winning goal came off the stick of one-time Avon Old Farms Winged Beavers, Liam Murphy (Killingworth, CT) also a Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack alumni, knocked in a goal mouth scramble for the winner, 2:36 into the extra session. Murphy was at one time a UConn commit four years ago and last season was a minus-60 with Moncton. This year he's a plus-nine in the regular season and in the Memorial Cup. Then last Sunday, Acadie-Bathurst, in their great red and gold uniforms, won 7-2 over Regina. The team had to hold for dear life as the Pats roared back in the third period with four goals to make the score 7-6 before an empty netter ended their dreams of a miraculous comeback. Hamilton Bulldogs executed some strong defensive hockey in holding off Acadie-Bathurst with a 3-2 on Tuesday night. Regina kicked off the opening game with a goal with 28.2 seconds left to beat the Hamilton Bulldogs 3-2. The Pats are led by former Pack coach John Paddock and have Hajeck, who was acquired in the McDonaugh-Miller Tampa Bay trade. He will be in Wolf Pack camp in the fall. Also on the roster is Jonas Harkins, youngest son of former Whaler, Todd Harkins, and Leschyshyn, the son of former Whaler, Curtis Leschyshyn. Paddock also is coaching his nephew Max Paddock as one of his goalies. The OHL announced its All-Star teams and ex-Pack, Drew Bannister (Saulte Ste. Marie Greyhounds) was voted first team head coach. USHL CLARK CUP FINAL For the third consecutive year, a brand new, first-time champion is crowned in the USHL. The Fargo (ND) Force captured the Clark Cup title winning Game 4 of the best of five series 4-2 over the Youngstown (OH) Phantoms. Goalie Strauss Mann (Greenwich/Brunswick Prep) stopped 26 of 28 shots to pace the victory a 2019 Michigan (Big 10) commit netminder. Youngstown featured captain Eric Esposito (West Haven/Loomis Chaffe-Windsor) who starts at the University of New Hampshire (HE) in the fall.  WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS It came down to a couple of ex-Sound Tigers. Sweden copped its second consecutive title and 3rd World Championship gold in five years with a 3-2 shootout win over Switzerland who earned the silver medal. The building in Copenhagen,Denmark was packed with Swedish fans since the border between the two countries is just 15 minutes away. Goalie Anders Nilsson sealed the victory stopping Nino Neidereitter in the fifth round with a pad save. Joining the gold medal parade was his teammate and goaltending battery mate ex-Pack, Magnus Hellberg, and current Wolf Pack and Ranger, Lias Andersson, who didn’t chuck his gold medal into the crowd as he did with his silver medal for Sweden at the WJC tournament in January in Buffalo. For Andersson, it ended an exceptionally long season on a high note. He was at the Rangers post draft development camp in Westchester, NY, then traveled to Sweden’s WJC camp in July, played at the WJC Showcase tourney in Plymouth, Michigan. Andersson was at the Traverse City, MI Prospects tournament, then to Rangers main training camp at MSG by mid-September. Then as a last cut was returned to Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in Gothenburg, Sweden. His next move was to Sweden’s main WJC camp held in Montreal and to Buffalo for the WJC tournament. After suffering a shoulder injury, Andersson was reassigned to Hartford where he played 24 games. He followed that with four games with the Rangers at the end of the season scoring his first NHL goal with his family present at MSG. Andersson then came back to Hartford and was assigned on the final weekend of the regular season for the Wolf Pack to the Swedish national team where he played at the European Hockey tournament (EHT). He was then off to the World championship camp and concluding his whirlwind season in Copenhagen and Herning Denmark the last two weeks. Raphael Diaz, the Swiss team captain, now sprouting some gray hair, in his red number 16 jersey led the Swiss players in accepting their silver medals and silver trophy. Next spring’s World Championship will be placed in Slovakia in the city of Kosice where the US and Canada will be in group A and in the Slovakia’s second largest city Bratislava which where the Group B games will be played. The US redeemed itself winning the bronze medal 4-1 over Canada as ex-CT Whale and current Ranger, Chris Kreider had two goals, Farmington’s Nick Bonino scored the game winner with a backhander in front of the net and ex-Sound Tiger Anders Lee tallied a goal in the victory. Read the full article