"Sorry only players can go down here." A guy I assumed was a new security guard said. I had walked the red carpet with the guys before checking on Bella in the skybox and then heading back towards the dressing rooms.
"Seriously? "
"Yes." He exclaimed.
"Unreal. One second." I said fishing out my phone and calling Pat.
"Yo Rach, what's taking you so long?"
"The security guard dude won't let me past." I exclaimed.
"Haha I'll be right out." He chuckled.
"Thanks Pat." I said laughing, before returning my attention to the security guard.
"Dude. You new or something? Let the girl in." Pat said clapping the security guard on the shoulder.
"But they said--"
"Yah, Yah. Q you can sort this out right?" Pat said pointing between me and the guard.
"You two go get ready, I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. Ready for tonight Rach?"
"Nervous, but excited yes!" I exclaimed taking Pat's hand before walking down to our change room.
"Wow I can hear the crowd already! They get here early huh?"
"Yah, it's pretty crazy. Plus its the first home game of the season and banner raising ceremony."
"I know it's so sweet! They are letting me join even if I didn't have any part in the win last year."
"You did for me, and that enough." He said winking as we entered the dressing room.
"Where'd you two sneak off to?" Sharpie questioned.
"He had to come get me." I said shrugging.
"You got lost at the UC? You've been here for like a year!"
"No you idiot. The security guard wouldn't let me pass to get in here." I said laughing along with the others.
"Too funny."
"It is not." I said laughing. "Nah your right it totally is." I said sitting in my stall and starting to get ready.
"Ready Rach?" Jonny asked shaking my shoulders.
"Let's do it Jonny!"
"Alright. You're ready. Be careful out there, they won't be afraid to get physical."
"Haha like you guys did at practice but 10x worse. Got it. They might as well draw me up a bath right now." I said laughing.
"Kiss for good luck?" Pat said wrapping me in an equipment bear hug from behind.
"Just one. You better score for me babe." I said winking, and giving him a kiss.
"Damn Kaner. You've got it lucky." Crow said from his stretching position on the floor.
"I know." He said smirking and heading off to get his legs worked on.
"This is it Jonny!" I exclaimed ad we got up.
"Just don't fall running through the tunnel." He said winking.
"You're going to do great babe." Pat said tapping me in the butt with his stick.
"Thanks sexy, you too." I said winking.
"Alright Boys, and Rach it's go time." Jonny said poking his head back in the dressing room. We all fist bumped before walking out the door. I went out last getting my fist bump from Jonny as he encouraged me forward.
"NHL here I come." I exclaimed skating onto the ice and doing a couple of laps around our end. The guys enjoyed bumping me with their hips, something I enjoyed getting payback for as well. Soon we were on the ice dragging out a banner, that the guys had worked so hard for the year before. Then the anthem was sung, and we were on the bench awaiting the puck drop. First shift first hit, I thought to myself as I made my way back to the bench.
"You alright?" Q asked as I sat back down.
"Fine. The hitting might take a while to get used to but I'm good." I said smiling.
"That's what I like to hear." He said tapping my back before returning his focus back to the game. The first period was scoreless. I had gotten a few shifts over the twenty minutes. The game was faster than the girls team, and by far more physical but it was fun. You could tell there was a lot of energy on the ice and in the crowd.
"Ughh someone want to give me a massage?" I said taking off my helmet and working out the kinks in my head and back.
"Feeling good there Rach?" Jon said laughing.
"Peachy." I laughed back.
"She's still laughing even after taking those hits?" Crow looked at me surprised look on his face.
"They weren't terrible." I said with a smile. "Though keeping them to a minimum would be preferred." I said as Q walked in to give us the low down for the next two periods. The second period was much of the same, no getting past the Blues, and they didn't get past us. Both goalies were playing spectacularly as both teams had quality scoring chances. I would be lying if I said my body didn't hurt. They had been physical with me, taunting me with the whole 'did that hurt?' smirks and the 'you hit like a girl' remarks. I was lucky to have my speed on my side, ducking out of the way of some big hits.
"Alright guys, here it is." Q said walking into the room. "Rach you are moving up to second line, and Patrick up to first as Hossa is a bit sore." He said nodding to Marian who smiled softly. "So we will move him back to third line to be cautious. This means that you guys, have to show your trust in each other and in our rookie. They've been shadowing the guys they feel threatened by; Jonny, Patricks, Shaw and others, meaning others need to step up in this game. They are a strong team. Good on penalty kills, smart and fast on power plays, and overall a well rounded team with a strong goalie. I say that but you guys are as well. We have playmakers, skilled players, great defence, and an amazing goalie so this is just as much our game as it is theirs. Now lets give our fans what they want, and pull out a home opening win."
"You alright?" I asked Hossa as I got my equipment back on.
"Yah, just some light cramping. Nothing serious, I'll play fine."
"Thanks."
"For?"
"You totally could have played second line, you got coach to let me have it."
"Nahhh." He said winking. "I told him to put you first line. Just like that one drill you showed us last season."
"Haha you remembered." I said laughing, and grabbing my stick and gloves after fastening my helmet. Although Marian and I hadn't hung out a lot outside of the arena, I love him so much as a friend. He was nice and caring, and an amazing hockey player.
"Good luck kiddo." He said tapping my helmet and heading back out to the bench. I went out after him, Jonny in tow. It was fun seeing him in serious mode, and I understood the reason why he was such an amazing captain.
"Patrick Timothy Kane!" I said smacking him on the back of his helmet as I got back on the bench from my shift. Five minutes had passed and the game was still scoreless.
"What?" I glared at him.
"Do not get angry out there. Ignore them, and play the game. Quit letting their shit get to you. Remember you are here to play hockey, it's your job. You don't bring your personal life to your job. Got it? Now get your sexy ass out there, and play like we know you can." I said winking as coach put him out for his next shift.
"Don't worry. I'll get it out of him." I said laughing at Q. "Got to change those priorities of his back around." I winked.
"He found something he loves more than hockey." Q said smiling before barking out a few plays. "But please make it so it doesn't effect his game. I don't like angry players, and they aren't stopping anytime soon."
"Will do. Maybe once I kick their asses they will shut it." I said laughing, and skating on the ice for the face off. "Love ya." I whispered and winked skating past Pat. My line was Shaw, Versteeg, and I. Ten seconds later the Blues got called for a tripping penalty. There was only ten minutes left in the third, so Q called a timeout obviously to get all our best players on the ice.
"Ok. We are switching it up a little for first line. Rach you will take Hossa's regular spot. 4 forwards one defence. Jonny, Patricks, and Rach you're up, Keith you're on D. I'll set the second lines up on the bench. We'll give it a shot, if it doesn't work we'll go back to normal next game. Now everyone remember that little play we've had up our sleeves? It should be even easier to do with one more person then them. Do it if you've got the chance, if not get the pucks on net. Rach get your body in there, and look for Kane to get the puck to the net. Sharpie, don't be afraid to let one of those rockets go from the blue line. Same for you Keith. Jonny, you know what to do. Make sure if the puck is open we are the ones to get it, and be that menace you can be just by being good. Now let's go win this game. Sharpie take point, and Rach take the face-off."
"Earlier in the game we saw Carson move up to second line. Now we are seeing her on the power play alongside Toews, Kane, Sharp, and Keith. Welcome to the NHL, and make us proud." I heard the announcer say, bringing a smile to my face. He was right, I was playing alongside hockey superstars, I had a lot to prove. I made my way over to the face-off dot, Jon was taking the draw and I had been put on left wing, as Pat took right. I was fine with the switch as it was a power play and we'd hopefully be cycling the puck anyways.
"Oshie! Tell your team to stop making cheap cracks at me." I said laughing.
"Good to know they don't phase you. Let's see what you got." He said lightly bumping me before the puck dropped.
"You're on." I said laughing and moving into position in front of the net. Our cycling was perfection compared to the last team I had played on. I knew we were going to be on the scoreboard soon. Pat did a little move, leaving him open for a shot just off the point. I stood in front of the goalie trying to maintain my position as one of their defence had started hassling me. We both awaited the arrival of the puck, and I was working on getting my stick untangled when; the puck went in! Amazing, I thought to myself as I skated over to congratulate the guys on a great play.
"Nice shot Pat!" I exclaimed. "Great goal!" I said hugging the guys.
"It was a good goal, first of the season too. Team leader." Sharpie said shaking his head.
"One goal Sharpie, just one goal you'll be fine." I said laughing.
"Ehh it was a good shot, good thing the goalie couldn't take his eyes off my sexy girl in front to see the shot. Plus I think you tipped it." He said raising his eyebrows and looking down at me, an amused look on his face.
"I did not." I said laughing as we started skating back towards the bench.
"Did too." Jon said nodding.
"I did? I was just playing get away from the defence-man. "
"Oh it definitely tipped." Sharpie said laughing. " The damn thing roofed."

"And there you have it folks. I have a feeling 91 is going to do just fine in the big leagues. What a beauty tip in front to send the puck soaring past Miller, and get the Hawks on board. They are taking a 1-0 lead into the last five minutes of the 3rd. Again that's Carson from Kane, and Toews with 1:25 left in the power play and 7:43 in the game."
"Holy Crap!" I exclaimed as we sat down on the bench. "You deserved that one Pat." I said patting him on the shoulder. "You did a lot more work than I did."
"And take away the first NHL goal scored by a girl? Let alone my girlfriend? Plus being in the right place at the right time, is what you did. My shot wouldn't have gone in so thanks." He said winking and hitting the back of my head as he hopped on for his next shift.
"Nice tip Carson." Coach said smiling. "That girl of your's better play hockey."
"That's the plan." I said laughing. "Thanks for giving me the chance." I smiled retuning his and we both returned our focus back on the game. A couple shifts later and their next was empty and it was 6 on 5 with another minute left in the game. Pat came off when the Blues used their timeout, and I went in. I was surprised that Q put me in, but I was going to play the best minute of hockey I could to get that W and get Crow his first shut out of the season. I had seen a lot of these guys play in the Olympics between the Canadian and American team, so I wasn't clueless to what we were facing. The Blues won the face off and worked to get themselves into a good cycle. I knew I would regret it, but I stood in to block a couple shots here and there. I made a good block off a very hard shot and the puck scooted out in front of me. I saw Jon and passed it over to him. My leg hurt, but I still made the effort to join Jon in the rush. The net was empty and I knew he just had to keep the puck away from their defenders and he could put it in easily. Of course he didn't do that, no the unselfish idiot passed it across ice to me letting me take the shot into the net.
"You're an idiot Toews." I said shaking my head. "You should've shot that!" I exclaimed.
"Girl. You blocked a rocket of a shot and stayed in the play. You deserved that goal. I couldn't be selfish now, not with you doing the work." He said grinning. "Plus it's safe to say we won the game." He said tapping me on the helmet, as the other guys after congratulating me started skating to the bench. Game one complete. I thought to myself as I got a bunch of smiles, and taps of congratulations on the bench.
"And your third star of the game from your Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, Number 88, Patrick Kane with one assist on the night."

"Your second star also from the Blackhawks, with two assists on the night The Captain, number 19, Jonathan Toews."

"And your number one star, scoring twice in her first NHL game, Number 91, Rachel Carson."

I thought I had been excited before the game, but now I had a permanent smile etched in my face that wasn't going away anytime soon. I skated out and did the little loop, stopping to look out at the crowd for a minute before heading back down the tunnel. I got changed in the buzzing change room. I had a shower separate from the boys to avoid any awkwardness. After taking a quick shower I chucked my hair into a bun high on my head and then changed into game worthy clothes. I did a quick makeup fix and then headed back to the change room warning the guys before opening the door. There was media galore, I guess this is what you get for playing on such a well known team. I thought to myself instantly glad I had made my self the least bit presentable. Within seconds of me walking over to Pat and Jon, I was swarmed.
"Woah. Woah. I know I'm new here and all, but there is no way I can even hear the questions with everyone shouting at the same time. One at a time and I will answer your questions. Please keep them game related." I exclaimed.
"How is your relationship with the team? Are they accepting of the fact they have a girl on their team?"

"Well so far, everything is great. I've known these guys for almost a year now, and I'm great friends with all them. It is an honour to play alongside such amazing players. I'm so grateful to the Blackhawks for taking a chance on a girl."
"First NHL goal. How did it feel?"

"Honestly I'm still processing it. I'm still getting used to the whole playing in the NHL ordeal. I can say I was speechless. I went over to celebrate the first goal honestly thinking Kane had scored. I guess I was in the right spot at the right time, atleast that's what they told me." I said winking.
"What was your reaction when Toews gave up that empty netter to you?"

"Truthfully. I thought he was an idiot." I said laughing. "He deserved that goal just as much as me, and I will happily return the favour if I get a chance in the future."
"Raising the Stanley Cup Banner; How did it feel?"

"Again I was honoured to be part of it. Although I might not have played for it, these guys were my family and as a fan I watched it unfold every second of the way."
"What was it like; skating out onto the ice for your first NHL game?"

"One word. Breathtaking. I'd heard the guys talking about it all the time, but you just don't get it until you are out there playing for it. The energy in the building tonight was crazy, something I definitely won't get used to."
"How are you reacting to those saying you don't belong?"

"I'm fine with it. I get to go out and live my dream alongside a great group of guys. As for those saying I don't belong, maybe you're right, after all who knows. Time will tell, and if I really don't belong then I won't be here it's as simple as that. I hope Hawks fans can be as accepting of me as their team is. I want to help make this team one you can be proud of." I said smiling.
"What skills can you bring to this team?"

"Honestly I hate talking about myself like that, but I'd like to think the Hawks picked me for a reason. I've been able to practice with the guys most of last season, and get to know how they play. I'd like to think one of my skills is being quick. I can turn on the jets like the flick of a switch. I'm pretty good with puck movement especially stick handling and shootouts or breakaways. What can I say I had a great teacher." I said winking again. "I've also got a good eye. I'm good at reading plays, and understanding where the puck is going to go and therefore where I have to be to make a play."
"How does a virtually unknown payer, go un-drafted yet make it onto a three time Stanley cup champion team?"
"That was all being in the right place at the right time as well. I'm no stranger to the world of competitive hockey. I played varsity up in Canada and made both the junior and senior Team Canada teams. I guess I went unnoticed over those years. I was introduced to the team as a friend, and things went form there. There were skating competitions, practices with the team, and a high recommendation from Coach Quenneville for my Canadian tryouts... I had pretty much given up on the idea of ever getting noticed, so I took last year off and transferred to U of C for a university exchange program to finish up my last year of school."
"What feeling did you get from the opposing team tonight?"

"Of course, determination. They wanted to win just as badly as we did. Sure there was some flack, and comments related to my gender but I think it upset my team more than it did me. It was crazy to play against people I knew, but overall it was just a jumble of emotions out there."
"Do you know players from the Blues' team?"

"Yah. I know a few. Oshie and I are pretty tight. We were joking around with each other just before the goal was scored. I also know the other olympians."
"When you say 'upset the team' did you specifically mean your boyfriend?"

"Haha no. A lot of the guys were annoyed at the little chirps and jabs directed at me. Of course my boyfriend wasn't happy, even Q wasn't happy, but he knows that as soon as we walk through the United Center doors we are at work, and that we can't let personal problems and feelings affect how we play the game. That's why he's such a great player. He doesn't let anything from the outside of this building phase him. This place is where he plays hockey, and here that's all that matters."
"You don't mind coming second?"
"No. Not when I told him that's the way it had to be. I knew what I was signing on for even before I got signed into the NHL. Outside of this building is what matters to me, as it is where we are both everything for one another, and neither comes second. For a couple hours I can deal with coming "second" if he can do the same." I said smiling.
"How did it feel playing in front of your family on such a big stage?"

"It was unreal. Getting the chance to play, and having them here was amazing. I know my big brothers will be lying in front of a screen watching this now so hey. I love my family, and am so grateful for everything they've done to get me here."
Well, thank you for your time, and we look forward to talking more. Any chance we could meet this rumoured child?"
"And there it is." I said laughing. "Wondered how long the game related questions would last. Yes I have a daughter. Her name is Isabella. I hope this doesn't make anyone think any less of me, and just know I'm going to play the best I can which is really the only thing people should be worried about right now."
"Sorry. I know we said no personal questions but--"

"How about we take a rain check. I have a bunch of family that are leaving soon that I need to see. I'll make sure to answer the personal stuff later." I said smiling.
"Babe. You almost done?" Pat said sticking his head in the door.
"Yup, just giving them a rain check for the personal stuff." I said laughing. "People meet my boyfriend Pat." I said laughing at the adorable head looking through the opened door. "Where's mom and dad?"
"Just outside waiting." He said nodding towards the hallway.
"Perfect, can you give them a quick tour of the locker room or something while I finish up these interviews. Thanks." I said winking and returning my attention to the reporters. "No interviews." I said before they got the chance to ask. "No pictures either."

I ended the interviews with the reporters after letting them get a glimpse of Bella. Then Pat and I packed up and took our baby girl home saying goodbye to the parents. Mine had been tearful as they were so proud of me. We would see them within the next couple days so it wasn't too difficult. Bella was tired, apparently we needed to have her spend more time with the grandmas. I put her in her crib and decided against sleeping right away, and had a bath instead to calm my aching muscles. Then I literally flopped my over exhausted body on Pat's unbelievably comfortable bed and started drifting off to sleep beside an already sleeping Pat.

Notes

xoxoxo Jordan