He kisses me once more, hard and fast, then strides toward the tunnel.
I watch him go, but the sight doesn’t fill me with sadness or longing. It fills me with hope. Hope for the future. For the life we’re going to build together. This is who we are. Hockey brought us together, and there will be times it separates us, but Knox will always come back—to me.
And we’ll be stronger for it.
GLIDERS ICE DEVILS IN SOUTHERN SHOWDOWN
The Atlanta Gliders delivered a decisive win over the Devils last night with a 4-0 shutout, and it was standing room only in the Treehouse with the Gliders recording their first ever sell-out. The second-year expansion team continues to show promise, and local fans are taking notice.
Although the Gliders got off to a rocky start with a two-minute bench penalty for delay of game, the penalty kill was textbook, and with the team working both sides of the puck, the Devils didn’t stand a chance.
Rookie Conor McGinnis led scoring opportunities with a shorthanded goal in the first period (18.57) and another in the third (4:32). McGinnis also recorded an assist in the second period off a goal by captain Knox St. James.
When asked about the delay of game that led to his shorthand goal, the McGinnis was cagey: “We knew we had to be tight on the penalty kill and find opportunities to score, and, yeah, we came out and did that last night and I’m really proud of the guys on this team. We’ve been through it this week with Davis getting hurt, but we pulled together and earned the W.”
Additional goals were scored by captain Knox St. James and defenseman Hunter Harding.
The Gliders face the Islanders in New York, Friday, November 28that 8 p.m.
Comments (561)
HckyMom4Life:If McGinnis keeps this up, he might be our next captain!
Bruiser1974:How the hell do you get a delay of game before the puck even drops? Something’s nutty in the Treehouse…
GlidersGlazer:The Gliders are on fire. They’ll be in the hunt for sure.
HockeyGod666:That was a nasty goal by McGinnis. I must’ve watched it a hundred times on repeat. The hockey IQ on that kid is sick.
ChirpyLilBitch:Hardy is carrying the defense and now he’s putting points on the board too? I fuckin love that guy.
HockeyGod666:Anyone else notice Towers disappear from the box before the puck dropped?
RinkRat:You know who’s never gotten a delay of game? MY BEER LEAGUE!!!
BigStick825:McGinnis is going to lead this team to the cup. Mark my words.
NinaB1205:Glad to see the boys pulling together during tough times.
BettySueWarren:Thoughts and prayers for the Davis family. May the lord’s healing light shine upon them. ????
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER…
KNOX
“Watch your step, darlin’.”
I guide Ava down the hall, holding her arm gently and steering her toward the kitchen.
“I’m blindfolded,” she quips, a note of wry humor in her voice. “I can’t watch anything, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“It’s just a figure of speech, love. But you know what? Forget I said anything. I’ve got this.”
I scoop her up in my arms and turn sideways as I carry her down the hall, careful not to bang her head on the wall. In the kitchen, I set her down on the newly finished tile, and she laughs, the throaty, musical laugh I will never get tired of hearing.
“Is this some kind of new sex game? Because if it is, I better get a turn to blindfold you too.” She frowns. “But don’t expect me to carry you anywhere. You’ll have to do your own walking.”