Chapter 4: Game Misconduct

Dave felt a little better after his conversation with Katherine in the hall. He guessed it had gone as well as he could have expected and he hoped things would quiet down on the wild rumor front. He went to the cafeteria and sat with John. John had a proposal to keep his friend from brooding, "Dave, do you want to go to the Eagles' Junior A game tonight? They're leading their best of seven series against Amherst two-nothing; but it has been a rough series and tonight should be an exciting game."

Dave remembered his good practice time with the Eagles and, not having any alternative plans, he agreed.

John picked Dave up at his house that evening and the two friends went to the game. The Eagles were leading the game four-nothing and were in control of the game late in the third period. The game had been fairly rough but the Eagles were more talented and controlled most of the play. The Eagles had a line called the "crash line" - named for their style of hitting everything that moved, a practice commonly referred to as crashing the boards. All three forwards on that line were proven fighters as were two of the teams six defenseman, Brad Rice and Ben Metzger.

With five minutes left in the game, an Amherst player ran the Eagles' goalie hard into the net. The crash line was on the ice with Rice and Metzger on defense. A line brawl followed the cheap shot. A line brawl is when all five players on the ice for each team fight at the same time. Some teams are known almost as much for the quality of their fighting as their actual hockey play; the standard joke is "I went to the fights last night and a hockey game broke out!" Dave and John joined the crowd cheering on the excitement on the ice. Metzger squared off with the toughest player for Amherst and the two goons threw ferocious punches at each other. After Metzger landed his first two punches, his opponent covered up and dropped to his knees.

It took the referees ten minutes to breakup all the fights and clear the ice. Eventually the game finished and the Eagles' fans went home happy their team was leading the series three-nothing and very glad that their team sent a message to the Amherst team not to rough up their goalie.

John and Dave talked animatedly about the fights. They went to McDonalds and hung out with their friends for an hour before John took Dave home. John's team was playing their last regular season games on Saturday and Sunday, so he needed a good night's sleep.

The next morning Dave was sleeping in when his father called him to answer the phone. Dave picked up the receiver and heard the familiar voice of the coach of the Eagles, Mike Stevens. Mike explained that five of his players had been suspended for the game that evening, as a consequence of the line brawl, and asked if Dave would play for them since they needed substitutes. Dave was ecstatic and said yes immediately. Coach Mike was pleased and told Dave to be at the Civic Centre at three o'clock to catch the team bus for the trip to Amherst.

Dave's father was very happy to hear he would be playing in a higher level game. Roger phoned his brother, Alan the policeman, and, after a return call ten minutes later, Alan had his evening shift off so he and Roger could drive to Amherst for the game. Amherst is a small town on the Nova Scotia side of the border with New Dominion - it is only an hour and half drive from Edwardton.

The time was only ten o'clock in the morning when Dave found out about the upcoming game, he found time passed slowly as he anxiously waited for three o'clock.

The drive in the charter bus passed quickly as Dave got familiar with the players he had met the previous fall during practice. Dave had thought Ben Metzger looked huge on the ice but now, when he met him in person, he realized that he himself was actually two or three inches taller than Metzger. The protective hockey equipment adds a lot of bulk to every player and makes it difficult to tell the actual size of the body inside.

Dave was nervous in the dressing room as he prepared for the warm-up. With the crash line missing, the team dressed Dave and three extra players they already had on their team list. Dave was going to be playing rightwing with one of the usual spares playing on the leftwing. The center was Willie Hubloo, the team captain. Willie was a small five-foot seven-inch player with amazing talent. He was an Inuit; one of the many non-Island-born players. Willie had incredible speed and Dave was looking forward to playing with such a talented hockey player.

During the warm-up, the Amherst team was yelling at the Eagles - trying to intimidate them. The mood in the dressing room was quieter than Dave had expected and he suspected that, because the Eagles were missing their five tougher players, the team was feeling the pressure of the intimidation. After a pep talk by the coach, the Eagles left the dressing room.

Dave remembered his uncle Alan saying how Amherst was one of the toughest rinks to play in because of the very loud and boisterous fans. The rink had been fairly quiet during the warm-up but it was now full of rowdy fans screaming like madmen and Dave quickly understood what Alan meant.

Dave played on the third line because Willie was playing center on two different lines and his regular line started the game, so Dave anxiously waited for his first shift. Amherst started the game with a clear strategy of hitting the Eagles at every opportunity. When Dave finally got on the ice, he was surprised by the speed of play. He was used to being the fastest player on his team and usually had to wait for his fellow players to catch up to him. At this much higher level of hockey, his first shift was a total learning experience. The speed of play was incredibly fast and opposing players were much stronger than Dave was used to.

Dave's first three shifts were unproductive as he struggled to adjust. After the third shift, Mike walked over to him and said, "Dave, I've seen you play this year and I know you have good speed. Use that speed to skate away from these players; they're not as fast as you are and Willie will find you, when you get open." Dave nodded understandingly as he tried to catch his breath. He considered himself to be in good shape but, after just three shifts of this fast-paced hockey, he was more tired than he normally felt after two periods of midget hockey.

The fourth shift went better as Dave muscled into the clear and was streaking down the wing when Willie hit him with a perfect pass. Dave tried to accelerate around the defenseman but the more skilled junior player played an angle that took Dave behind the net. As he carried the puck behind the net, Dave saw Willie cutting through the slot and he feathered a perfect pass to Willie who one-timed the shot. The puck careened off the crossbar and over the glass out of play - no goal.

Dave's line didn't have any more scoring chances in the first period but Mike congratulated him on his stronger play during the first break. The Eagles were losing two-nothing after one period and Amherst seemed to be taking advantage of their intimidating style of play.

The second period started much better for Dave as he got his feet moving and started hitting more himself. Willie had another unsuccessful scoring chance created off a hit Dave threw on an opposing defenseman which turned the puck over in the corner.

On his second shift of the period, Dave received a pass in the high slot from Willie and he one-timed a hard wrist-shot to the top corner for the Eagles' first goal. The rest of the team seemed to feed off his goal and the next line scored a second goal to tie the game at two.

When Dave got on the ice again, he was lined up for a face-off in the Amherst end. The opposing winger slashed Dave across the back of legs as they waited for the puck to be dropped. Dave heard him say, "You're a fucking pussy for wearing a cage. Keep your head up." Dave was a little surprised by the comment but was half-expecting some type of verbal abuse. All junior players were required to wear plastic half visors on their helmets, which covered to just below their noses but, because Dave was a midget, he had to wear a full-face screen required for minor hockey.

The referee dropped the puck and Willie won the draw back to his defenseman. Dave held his opposing winger from getting to the defenseman, so his defenseman could get a clean shot at the net. The Amherst goalie made the save and one of his defenseman cleared the puck out of the zone.

The puck was pushed into the Eagles zone where an Eagles defenseman passed it quickly to Willie. Willie made a move at his own blue-line then snapped a hard pass to Dave who was streaking down the wing. Dave accelerated around the defenseman to the outside and was cutting to the net when he saw his winger moving in from the far side. Dave faked a shot on goal, then slid the puck across to his teammate who redirected it into the net. Dave and his line-mates celebrated the go-ahead goal with what looked like ice dancing.

Dave's line continued to play well the rest of the second period and Dave continued to take abuse from the same opposing player. On the last shift of the period, Dave took a cheap shot from the same goon - the goon cross-checked him across the back of the neck. He and the goon started yelling at each other. The goon yelled, "Take off the cage, you chicken shit."

The linesmen separated them, then Dave went to the bench on a change. The goon didn't even get a penalty for his indiscretion. Dave didn't get on the ice again before the horn sounded to end the period. Dave and his team went to the dressing room leading four-two. As soon as Dave sat down, Metzger, who was dressed in a shirt and tie, sat beside him. He said, "Dave, you have to stand up to that asshole. You can't let him run you like that or every team in the league will run you."

Dave looked at Ben and asked, "What should I do?"

Ben replied, "Next time you're lined up beside him, tell him you want to go. Tell him that you want both of you to take off your helmets. Once he agrees, wait for the puck to drop -- then move to center ice. When the fight starts, make sure he doesn't grab the sleeve of your throwing hand. Square off and pound the shit out of him. But also make sure you fight at the start of your shift and not at the end. Never fight when you're tired, unless there's no choice."

Dave nodded. Brad Rice, nicknamed Ricey, sat down when he heard Ben finish his advice. Ricey added, "After you kick his ass, skate across the ice moving both your hands across your waist as if you're putting on the "Championship Belt". The fans will hate it and go nuts." Dave nodded but felt skeptical about hot-dogging.

Dave looked over at the coach who seemed to be half-listening to the conversation. Mike winked and nodded at Dave. Dave suddenly felt incredibly nervous. He had never really intentionally fought while playing hockey and wasn't sure how he would do.

The third period started with the Eagles taking the play to Amherst. Dave didn't match up against the goon on his first shift. Willie scored another goal with his normal line and Dave was cheering on the bench with his teammates. Dave saw the goon for Amherst come off their bench and, as he skated past, he began chirping at Dave. Mike walked behind Dave and asked, "Do you want to go on?"

Dave knew his line wasn't due to go on the ice yet, so it was obvious Mike was giving him the option to go fight the goon. Dave could feel his adrenalin pumping as he jumped over the boards.

Dave lined up next to the goon who immediately started in on Dave. Dave glared at him and said, "Let's go, then. I'll take my screen off, if you take off your helmet, too."

The referee dropped the puck and Dave and the goon immediately threw off their gloves. The other players moved to their benches as the two combatants circled center ice and removed their helmets. Dave held his throwing hand back as he circled the goon looking for an opening. The goon finally lunged at Dave and they locked up holding each other's shoulder pads with one hand as they threw punches with the other.

Dave threw a hard punch at the goon and, just as he felt it connect with the goon's cheek, he felt a fist hit his own face just below his left eye. Dave pulled his fist back again, threw it forward hard, and landed another solid punch, this time on the goon's nose. He again felt a fist hit his cheek. Dave took a little longer throwing the third punch as he put all his energy into his fist and he aimed at the goon's nose again. Dave felt a punch to his face just as he landed his hard punch right on his target. Dave was pulling his fist back, getting ready to throw a fourth punch when he saw and felt the goon fall straight backwards onto his back.

Dave was pulled forward by the falling opponent, but quickly let go of the goon's shirt then he looked down at him lying on the ice. He was surprised to see a glazed look in his eyes as blood gushed from his nose. Dave skated away and immediately saw Ricey jumping around by the glass near the dressing room. Ricey was moving his hands across his waist to tell Dave to mimic him. Dave smiled and started to slide his hands back and forth across his waist. The crowd started to boo him even louder and he left the ice to the raucous screaming of the Amherst fans.

Ben and Ricey escorted Dave to the dressing room and both were bouncing as they congratulated the young rookie. Dave's entire body was shaking from the adrenaline rushing through his veins. Ben roared, "You knocked him fucking out. Great job, kid. No one in this league will fuck with you again."

After five minutes of pacing around the dressing room, Dave had finally relaxed enough to take off his gear. He stripped down and got in the shower. The hot water felt refreshing as Dave cleaned up.

Dave had just finished putting on his shirt and tie when he heard the horn go to end the game. He sat and waited for the team to enter the dressing room. Every player walked over to where he sat and patted him on the head as they entered. After all the players had congratulated him, Ben sat beside him again and explained, "After you thumped that goon, the rest of the team just folded. They hardly threw another check and none of them tried anything with any of our players again. We scored two more insurance goals to win seven-two."

The coach came in shortly after the team and congratulated them for winning the series in four straight games. He didn't say anything about Dave's fight but he subtly smiled at Dave and nodded.

Dave walked outside the dressing room while the rest of the team changed and showered. He was surprised to see his father and uncle waiting for him. He walked over to them as his dad said, "Great game, Dave. You played well." Dave thanked him; then his father added, "I'll see you at home."

Roger walked away but his uncle Alan remained and said, "Helluva game, Dave. Your father and I were both jumping with excitement when you kicked the shit out of that asshole. Your father will never say it, but he's really proud of you for sticking up for yourself. It was obvious that guy was running you." He turned and looked at his brother walking down the hall, "I better catch up to Roger. I'll see you later."

The bus ride back to the Island went quickly and Dave was surprised when the coach sat beside him. Mike said, "You played a great game tonight Dave. You adjusted well to the change in speed and style. I'd love to have you finish the year with us but I know the coach of the major midget team wants you to play with them, too. I spoke to him this morning because he had planned to call you up today but, after all the suspensions we had the past night, he agreed to let us have the first call. Thanks for playing with us; you were a real asset to the team." He paused, then continued in a more paternal tone, "You do realize you will get at least a one game suspension for removing your helmet. You won't be able to even play with the midgets until after we play our first game in the next round. Those are the rules."

Dave happily thanked the coach and said he had expected a suspension. After Mike moved back to the front of the bus, Ben sat beside Dave. He said, "The team is going to the Sportsman's Club for a little party to celebrate the win. You should come with us."

Dave chuckled, "I'm only sixteen; I'll never get in the bar. You know the drinking age is nineteen."

Ben laughed, "Don't worry about it; Mike's brother owns the bar. You'll be fine, just stay in the background and let us get your drinks for you, okay?"

After the team arrived in Edwardton, Ben asked Dave if he needed a drive. Dave said he did but asked if Ben would stop at his house to drop off his gear. Ben agreed.

Dave entered the house and his parents were sitting on the couch waiting for him. He explained, "The team is going to a bar to have a little party to celebrate the win. Do you mind if I go?"

Carol started to say something but Roger gently took hold of her arm and said, "Just don't drink too much. If you need a drive, call. Don't ride with anyone who's been drinking."

Dave thanked them and hugged both of them before he left.

Dave's first experience in a bar was a real eye opener. There were a lot of young adults in various states of intoxication. Ben got Dave a beer and he sat down with the team. Dave noticed there were a lot of very pretty girls hanging off the players. Ricey had been sitting beside him but got up to go talk to a striking blonde.

A beautiful black-haired girl sat down where Ricey had been sitting and immediately snuggled into Dave. She looked at him with arched eyebrows and said, "I heard you played a great game tonight, Dave." She rubbed his left cheek, "I see you got a little beauty mark." Dave could feel a little twinge of pain as she touched him; he had totally forgotten about the punches he had gotten hit with.