Descent into Ruin: Day 13

Word Count: 78,239

Summary of Events:

Chalmers' prank against Atkins succeeded, and was followed up by an effort on Atkins' part to get back at Chalmers, but Chalmers thwarted his first effort — which was the exact same thing he'd done to Atkins — before being taken by Atkins' second effort, in which Atkins glued down the end on a roll of hockey tape, prompting Chalmers to write rude messages on Atkins' stick blades, which was noticed by an opposing goalie after Atkins scored, and forced Atkins to have to re-tape all his sticks or get a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. In the second-last game of the season, which could clinch the Wheat Kings a playoff spot if they won, Chalmers got into a fight with an opposing player that left them both sitting in the penalty boxes watching the game's final minutes elapse, during which the game became tied 3–3 . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

Despite their place at the bottom of the standings, the Broncos put up a stiff opposition, determined to get at least one point as they closed out their home schedule before fans who’d been subjected to what was undoubtedly a painful season to watch, and the 100 seconds ticked away without either team getting a goal.

Both teams assembled on their benches as the Zambonis came out to scrape the snow off the ice before the chosen trios went onto the ice. It was Ricky and Cannon for the Wheat Kings, along with, unsurprisingly, the best defenceman on the team.

Chalmers looked up at the clock. He had just over two minutes left to sit before his major penalty was served, same as the Bronco in the box across from him.

The puck was dropped and the fast-paced three-on-three overtime began with Ricky winning the faceoff, allowing the Wheat Kings to break in against the Broncos, who successfully repelled the attack and broke up the other way on Jonas, whose stop on the shot was so impressive that the fans — despite his being the opponent — actually cheered him, and even the Broncos gave him stick-taps for the incredible and acrobatic move.

Because he froze the puck, there was a faceoff, and Coach Leslie elected to trade Cannon for Atkins, prompting the Broncos’ head coach to make a reciprocal move before the puck was dropped.

Once again Ricky won the draw and he and Atkins rushed up the ice to attack the Broncos goal for a second time. Atkins fired the shot, stole the rebound from the Broncos defender before he could toss it up the ice to his teammates, and potted the rebound, which completed his hat trick and clinched the Wheat Kings their first playoff spot in three years.

Chalmers didn’t move from the bench even as the official in the box with him opened the door to let him out. He watched his teammates mob Atkins enthusiastically, all of them ecstatic about making the playoffs, while a token handful of hats were tossed on the ice by the Broncos fans to recognise Atkins’ third hat trick since he’d been traded to the Wheat Kings — he’d gotten none before the trade.

It was also Atkins’ fifth consecutive multi-point game, all of which served to leave Chalmers rather bitter, despite the achievement of the team, which was something which he had been diligently working toward from the beginning of his career with them, but failed to achieve.

Only after the official shrugged and shut the penalty box door before exiting the box through a separate exit did Chalmers get to his feet and exit the box, going directly to the dressing room, where he would be able to have some time alone with the hottest of water the showers could offer before his jubilant teammates came in and he had to find a way to feign jubilation with them.