Rhys
When the shootout finally began, I was chosen to go first. I skated slowly up to the designated spot in front of the net, took a deep, steadying breath, and tried to block out everything else.
I focused on the rhythmic scrape of my blades against the freshly resurfaced ice, letting that sound ground me.
I can do this, I whispered under my breath. Everything is going to turn out okay. I'm not just doing this for the team — I'm doing it for Kayden too.
The whistle blew, giving me the signal to take my shot. I spotted a small opening in the goalie's stance, snapped my wrist with everything I had, and watched as the puck flew straight and true into the back of the net.
I had scored. The first round was ours.
Miller went next, but his shot got caught at the very edge of the goalie's pad and deflected wide.
