SamA dizzy excitement filled Sam’s chest as he walked the halls of the arena. Sure, he’d been here all week for practices, but tonight was different. It was game time. His locker waited for him, stocked from top to bottom with his gear. His jersey screamed to him. He had missed this. The crispness of the air. The odor of the gear. The lingering Zamboni fumes. He loved the last week with his family, but this was where he belonged.
Being here for workouts or even practices wasn’t the same as getting ready to play. Sure, he skated after his physical exam. And he took practice all week with the guys before this morning. Non-game-day practices were at the team practice facility. But now he was at the arena, and tonight he was getting to play. Finally. I’m back.
“Check it out. Surfer-boy is ba
