“And he’s wasting no time getting into the action—McKnight wins the face-off clean, dumps it to Larsson on thewing—oh, what a setup! Beck Larsson fires and scores! Wolverines are on the board!”
“That’s the leadership we’ve been waiting to see from McKnight. It’s not just about the fights and the penalties—it’s about making plays. That was a beautiful pass, and you can see the bench feeding off that energy.”
I narrow my eyes at the television. “About time, McKnight,” I say to myself. I watch the players glide across the ice, gnawing at my lower lip in anticipation.
“McKnight back in the neutral zone—and here he goes. He’s got speed, he’s got space, takes it himself, stickhandling—he shoots! Oh! Off the post! The crowd thought that was in!”
“That’s the Rhodes McKnight we know—fast, aggressive, and not afraid to take the shot. You know he’s gonna want that one back.”
Shit, that was a good shot.
It’s the best they’ve played all season by a long shot. Dad is going to be stoked when he gets back. Even if they don’t win, the team is playing incredibly well tonight, better than they have all season long.
“Third period now, Wolverines up by one—McKnight on the forecheck—huge hit in the corner! And he comes away with the puck! Sets up Callahan in the slot—scores!Rhodes McKnight with his second assist of the night, and the Wolverines take a two-goal lead!”
“McKnight is doing it all tonight. He’s setting up plays, getting physical, leading by example. It’s exactly what this team needed.”
“Under two minutes to go, the Predators pull their goalie—McKnight’s on the ice, empty net chance. He takes it down the ice—he shoots, oh my God, he scores! Rhodes McKnight caps off his return with an empty-net goal! And that’s the game!”
“What a night for McKnight. A goal, two assists, and, most importantly, the Wolverines are back on the map for playoffs. They might actually have a real chance of making it this year.”
Despite myself, there is a small, stupid smile on my face. I shake my head and try to clear the thoughts of Rhodes from my brain.
I glance back at the TV, where the end-of-game interviews are going on, and I turn up the volume.
I should turn it off, not turn it up. I should absolutely, one hundred percent turn it off.
I turn it up louder. My eyes are locked on the screen, fingers gripping the remote.
The camera cuts to the Wolverines bench, zooming in on Rhodes. His helmet is off, dark hair damp with sweat, jersey clinging to the broad planes of his shoulders. He looksgood. I track the team as they walk off to do their media interviews.
The TV cuts to the reporters covering post-game and Cassie Langford is there, bright smile, mic in hand, looking every bit like the golden girl of NHL reporting.
“Rhodes McKnight,” she starts, her voice smooth, practiced. “Hell of a game tonight. First game back after suspension, and you lead the team to a four-two win. How does it feel?”
Rhodes grins, rubbing the back of his neck like he’s trying to play humble. He’snot. He knows exactly how good he was tonight.
Cocky bastard.I grin despite myself.
“Yeah, it felt good,” he says easily. “Boys came out strong, really put the pressure on. I just did my job.”
Cassie tilts her head, smiling. “Yourjobincluded two goals and two assists. That’s quite the comebackperformance. Your fans must be thrilled you’re back on the ice.”
Rhodes laughs—low and warm, the kind that makes people lean in to listen to him.
I lean back, arms crossed, and scowl at the screen.
“Well, you know me,” he says, flashing a grin and a wink at the camera. “Gotta make up for lost time.”
Cassie’s lashes flutter.Flutter.
“Idiot,” I mumble, glaring.
“And I have to ask,” she continues, shifting the mic closer. “There’s been a lot of talk about leadership this season. Some tension in the locker room. A broken nose, maybe? Do you feel like you’ve proven you’re still the guy to lead this team?”
Rhodes exhales, nodding. “I mean, listen,” he says, running a hand through his hair, “at the end of the day, it’s about the team. We had some shit—stuff,” he corrects with a smirk, and Cassie laughs,again, “to work through early in the season. Hell, we’re still working through it. We had a lot of shake-ups this season. But I love these guys. I’m proud of them. It’s only going to go up from here.”
My heart squeezes with pride for my dad’s team. Rhodes played so well tonight. The whole team did.