Reese's final regular-season game came in late March, and she was now six months pregnant. Although she was playing a reduced role, she was determined to suit up one last time before officially beginning her leave, despite the cautious advice from several loved ones.
Before the puck dropped, the arena organized a small tribute—nothing too elaborate, as Reese had specifically requested to keep the focus on the game rather than turning the night into a grand spectacle. Nevertheless, when her name was announced in the starting lineup, the crowd rose to their feet, giving her a standing ovation that carried the heartfelt gratitude of an entire career.
She glided out to center ice for warmups and spotted Cole and Frankie in the family section, just as they had been for every home game over th
