The team's semifinal matchup against conference rival Prescott State fell exactly during Beckett's combine week, and Rae skated out for warmups without her captain for the first time all season, an unfamiliar hollowness in the lineup that the entire team seemed to feel despite Bear's steady, competent leadership stepping into the gap.
"Weird not having him here," Bear said, skating alongside her during the pregame drills, his usual easy humor tempered by genuine focus. "Feels like skating with one leg tied behind our back, honestly, even with how deep our roster is."
"He'll be watching the stream," Rae said. "He told me he's got it pulled up on his phone between combine testing sessions."
"Course he does." Bear grinned. "Man's probably going to run his fitness testing worse tomorrow mor
