Orlando
Val's Injury
Val’s POV
I was having the best sophomore season. It was everything I could have dreamed it to be. I was scoring goals and helping my team to win games. I had a few last minute game-winning goals too. And the NHL broadcasters were calling Tyler, Jamie and I the best line in the NHL. We were hot. On fire. And we were smoking the competition, torching opponents left and right with our speed and skill.
It was December 2, 2014, and tonight, the Dallas Stars were scheduled to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. We were playing in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, but we knew that Toronto was good on the road and they were still going to be a force to be reckoned with. It was going to be a tough game and battle, but I was ready and so were my teammates. Jamie gave us a quick pep talk, before we all went out on the ice and played the first period.
I was focused. I really wanted to continue doing well and lighting it up. I had a hat trick already, so what was another one. I was on a goal-scoring streak and people, fans and critics, were loving it. I had a little bit of inspiration too, from Evelyna Knight. After each game, we’d text one another and before the games she’d send me a good luck text. Maybe it was all of these that made me play at my best, but whatever it was, I was on a roll and nothing could stop me.
The score was 1-0, thanks to some sweet sauce from the man they called Tyler Seguin. John Klingberg, a new defenseman, who was making his NHL debut after Dallas had to trade Brendan Dillon to the Sharks, sent a delicious pass up center ice to a wide open Tyler. I hurried to get into a position with him, knowing I should go straight to the net. Jamie was tied up along the boards by Phil Kessel and they were cross-checking each other. I knew that this was my chance. So I zoomed down the wing, getting open and Tyler unselfishly sent a perfect pass across to me. I caught the puck in my blade and sent it skillfully through the five-hole of the sliding Bernier (Toronto’s goalie) and into the back of the net for a Dallas goal.
The puck dropped for the second period. I was lined up, across from one of the Leafs, who was chirping at me and trying to knock me off my game and focus. He didn’t succeed however. I got the best of him. Tyler lost the faceoff, but somehow managed to steal it and get it to Jamie.
I was so focused on my game, that I didn’t realize one of the Maple Leaf defenders had targeted me. I was going to get the puck along the boards and get it to a teammate, to keep the play in the attacking zone, but I didn’t see Dion Phaneuf charging toward me. As soon as the puck was off my stick, I felt a sickening crunch and smashed into the boards.
A sharp pain shot up my knee and I fell to the ice, screaming in agony. I tried to get back up, but more pain came and I just remained on the ice, trying to figure out what had happened. I saw Dion take off, spitting out a nasty comment at me.
And then the whistle blew and Tyler, Jamie, John Klingberg and Alex Goligoski were skating over to me.
“Val! Val!” they cried.
Jamie was the first to reach me and he immediately dropped down in concern. “Val, you okay, man?”
I shook my head and pointed to my leg. “I-I think it’s broken…”
Tyler reached down and grabbed my arm. Jamie grabbed the other and together they lifted me back to my skates. I tried to put weight on it, but the pain was unbearable. They helped me to the bench, where personnel came and guided me further.
“Don’t worry Val, we got you! Phaneuf’s not going to get away with this!” Tyler remarked, flashing a boyish wink and smile that made Jamie smack him in the arm.
Jamie showed sympathy and tapped his stick comfortingly against my leg. “We got you Nichy.”
I sat down on the bench, briefly thinking that maybe it was just whiplash or something minor. As I controlled my breathing, settled down and the pain subsided into a bizarre tingly sensation like when your foot falls asleep, I heard the ref call Phaneuf for a boarding penalty, only to later be changed to a game misconduct. I saw the burly defenseman slam his stick on the bench railing in anger and then storm down the tunnel to boos from the crowd.
The call made things a little better, but I wanted to get back out and play. But ultimately, I was ushered down the tunnel to the locker room for further evaluation. And that was the last time I’d see the ice that night. I was actually rushed to the hospital for an x-ray.
I would later learn that Tyler would score a hat trick and Jamie had a pair of goals in an 8-1 devastating defeat of the Maple Leafs. They wanted to avenge my injury and they did. The whole team rallied and blew out the Leafs. I was thankful for that and I loved that they all cared so much for me.
And after the game, everyone came to see me and wish me luck in recovery. I had gotten my phone and I knew Evelyna wasn’t going to be happy. I hoped she wouldn’t seek revenge and go after Dion. He was just heated from the game and it was an unfortunate play. I didn’t blame him. I didn’t blame anyone. I just had to hope that I would recover fast and be able to get back out on the ice doing what I loved with the people I loved. I wanted to get back to scoring and being a dominate force. And most importantly I wanted to help my team win.
Evelyna’s POV
I decided to put on the Toronto-Dallas game. I had been debating it for hours, but my man was on a hot streak and if he got another hat trick, I wanted to watch it. I asked Kaitlyn if she was interested in watching the game, but she said she had to go to Ultimate Frisbee practice. But she told me to show her highlights after the game, if the game was exciting. And that was fine with me. So I settled down and streamed the game on my Mac, after eating a quick dinner.
I had sent the quick text to Val, wishing him good luck in the game tonight and I told him to score another hat trick. Sure enough, he came out strongly and scored that marvelous goal, off a sick Tyler Seguin pass. I still wasn’t much of a Tyler fan, but I couldn’t deny that the dude had some serious talent.
The first period was strong, but wasn’t the best 20 minutes. Dallas could still play much better than they had, but at least they were leading and had more momentum. But Val only needed two more goals and then he would own another hat trick and he’d be just as good as Tyler.
“Alright, let’s go Stars!! Get Nichy the puck!!” I exclaimed, rubbing my hands together and awaiting the drop of the puck for the second.
I watched as Tyler lost the faceoff, but Jamie ended up with the puck and Dallas had possession. I saw a Maple Leaf finally strip him of it and send it to the boards. Val chased it down and got it along the boards, beating a slower Leaf. He send it around back to a Dallas player, as I saw in the corner of my eyes number three for the Maple Leafs charging toward Val. He was smart to get rid of it.
But I continued to see Dion Phaneuf heading toward Val and then I watched in horror as the big man slammed Val awkwardly into the boards.
“That’s boarding!! Kick his ass out of the game!!” I snapped at the computer.
But my heart was pumping fast and I kept my eyes on Val, as he struggled to get up and appeared hurt.
“Get up Valeri, get up! Dallas needs you! Come on Nichy, get up, please!” I whimpered, feeling every part of me freeze. I stared at him and saw his two linemates come over and help him out. He looked like he was in serious pain.
“Phaneuf!” I snarled, suddenly feeling very protective and furious. If I wanted to, I would jump through the screen to the game and attack Dion. That fucking son of a bitch!
I saw the poor baby Russian get escorted down the tunnel, after Dion was handed a misconduct. Damn right, he deserved it! He shouldn’t have messed with my team! And he shouldn’t be such an asshole player!
The game carried on and I saw Tyler and Jamie trading goals. It was like Val’s injury had lit a fire under them or in them and they wanted to avenge him. After Tyler got his hat trick, I was proud that Dallas had managed to win, but I was worried about the baby Russian. He hadn’t come back and I feared the worst for him.
Dion Phaneuf had injured Dallas’ best player and I wasn’t happy. I had to get to Dallas and see him. Luckily they had been playing in Dallas, so he was being looked after in a Dallas hospital. But I felt like I had to know that he was okay and I needed to be there for him. So, I sent him a text, but I didn’t hear back from him for hours. I mean, I should have figured as much, given that he was in the hospital.
You could say that maybe I cared too much about him, but he was Valeri Nichushkin, only a baby, and he didn’t deserve the injury.
He should be tearing it up in his sophomore year and getting goals and lighting the lamp.
He should be owning other teams and putting up points and showing people who he is.
But, now, thanks to the fucking Leafs and their fucking asshole goon of a defenseman, poor Val was going to be out for some time. It wasn’t right. It just wasn’t right.
(Oh, and I’d probably have to track down and hurt Dion too. You don’t get away with fucking up my baby Russian (or Kazer)!)
I was having the best sophomore season. It was everything I could have dreamed it to be. I was scoring goals and helping my team to win games. I had a few last minute game-winning goals too. And the NHL broadcasters were calling Tyler, Jamie and I the best line in the NHL. We were hot. On fire. And we were smoking the competition, torching opponents left and right with our speed and skill.
It was December 2, 2014, and tonight, the Dallas Stars were scheduled to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs. We were playing in the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, but we knew that Toronto was good on the road and they were still going to be a force to be reckoned with. It was going to be a tough game and battle, but I was ready and so were my teammates. Jamie gave us a quick pep talk, before we all went out on the ice and played the first period.
I was focused. I really wanted to continue doing well and lighting it up. I had a hat trick already, so what was another one. I was on a goal-scoring streak and people, fans and critics, were loving it. I had a little bit of inspiration too, from Evelyna Knight. After each game, we’d text one another and before the games she’d send me a good luck text. Maybe it was all of these that made me play at my best, but whatever it was, I was on a roll and nothing could stop me.
The score was 1-0, thanks to some sweet sauce from the man they called Tyler Seguin. John Klingberg, a new defenseman, who was making his NHL debut after Dallas had to trade Brendan Dillon to the Sharks, sent a delicious pass up center ice to a wide open Tyler. I hurried to get into a position with him, knowing I should go straight to the net. Jamie was tied up along the boards by Phil Kessel and they were cross-checking each other. I knew that this was my chance. So I zoomed down the wing, getting open and Tyler unselfishly sent a perfect pass across to me. I caught the puck in my blade and sent it skillfully through the five-hole of the sliding Bernier (Toronto’s goalie) and into the back of the net for a Dallas goal.
The puck dropped for the second period. I was lined up, across from one of the Leafs, who was chirping at me and trying to knock me off my game and focus. He didn’t succeed however. I got the best of him. Tyler lost the faceoff, but somehow managed to steal it and get it to Jamie.
I was so focused on my game, that I didn’t realize one of the Maple Leaf defenders had targeted me. I was going to get the puck along the boards and get it to a teammate, to keep the play in the attacking zone, but I didn’t see Dion Phaneuf charging toward me. As soon as the puck was off my stick, I felt a sickening crunch and smashed into the boards.
A sharp pain shot up my knee and I fell to the ice, screaming in agony. I tried to get back up, but more pain came and I just remained on the ice, trying to figure out what had happened. I saw Dion take off, spitting out a nasty comment at me.
And then the whistle blew and Tyler, Jamie, John Klingberg and Alex Goligoski were skating over to me.
“Val! Val!” they cried.
Jamie was the first to reach me and he immediately dropped down in concern. “Val, you okay, man?”
I shook my head and pointed to my leg. “I-I think it’s broken…”
Tyler reached down and grabbed my arm. Jamie grabbed the other and together they lifted me back to my skates. I tried to put weight on it, but the pain was unbearable. They helped me to the bench, where personnel came and guided me further.
“Don’t worry Val, we got you! Phaneuf’s not going to get away with this!” Tyler remarked, flashing a boyish wink and smile that made Jamie smack him in the arm.
Jamie showed sympathy and tapped his stick comfortingly against my leg. “We got you Nichy.”
I sat down on the bench, briefly thinking that maybe it was just whiplash or something minor. As I controlled my breathing, settled down and the pain subsided into a bizarre tingly sensation like when your foot falls asleep, I heard the ref call Phaneuf for a boarding penalty, only to later be changed to a game misconduct. I saw the burly defenseman slam his stick on the bench railing in anger and then storm down the tunnel to boos from the crowd.
The call made things a little better, but I wanted to get back out and play. But ultimately, I was ushered down the tunnel to the locker room for further evaluation. And that was the last time I’d see the ice that night. I was actually rushed to the hospital for an x-ray.
I would later learn that Tyler would score a hat trick and Jamie had a pair of goals in an 8-1 devastating defeat of the Maple Leafs. They wanted to avenge my injury and they did. The whole team rallied and blew out the Leafs. I was thankful for that and I loved that they all cared so much for me.
And after the game, everyone came to see me and wish me luck in recovery. I had gotten my phone and I knew Evelyna wasn’t going to be happy. I hoped she wouldn’t seek revenge and go after Dion. He was just heated from the game and it was an unfortunate play. I didn’t blame him. I didn’t blame anyone. I just had to hope that I would recover fast and be able to get back out on the ice doing what I loved with the people I loved. I wanted to get back to scoring and being a dominate force. And most importantly I wanted to help my team win.
Evelyna’s POV
I decided to put on the Toronto-Dallas game. I had been debating it for hours, but my man was on a hot streak and if he got another hat trick, I wanted to watch it. I asked Kaitlyn if she was interested in watching the game, but she said she had to go to Ultimate Frisbee practice. But she told me to show her highlights after the game, if the game was exciting. And that was fine with me. So I settled down and streamed the game on my Mac, after eating a quick dinner.
I had sent the quick text to Val, wishing him good luck in the game tonight and I told him to score another hat trick. Sure enough, he came out strongly and scored that marvelous goal, off a sick Tyler Seguin pass. I still wasn’t much of a Tyler fan, but I couldn’t deny that the dude had some serious talent.
The first period was strong, but wasn’t the best 20 minutes. Dallas could still play much better than they had, but at least they were leading and had more momentum. But Val only needed two more goals and then he would own another hat trick and he’d be just as good as Tyler.
“Alright, let’s go Stars!! Get Nichy the puck!!” I exclaimed, rubbing my hands together and awaiting the drop of the puck for the second.
I watched as Tyler lost the faceoff, but Jamie ended up with the puck and Dallas had possession. I saw a Maple Leaf finally strip him of it and send it to the boards. Val chased it down and got it along the boards, beating a slower Leaf. He send it around back to a Dallas player, as I saw in the corner of my eyes number three for the Maple Leafs charging toward Val. He was smart to get rid of it.
But I continued to see Dion Phaneuf heading toward Val and then I watched in horror as the big man slammed Val awkwardly into the boards.
“That’s boarding!! Kick his ass out of the game!!” I snapped at the computer.
But my heart was pumping fast and I kept my eyes on Val, as he struggled to get up and appeared hurt.
“Get up Valeri, get up! Dallas needs you! Come on Nichy, get up, please!” I whimpered, feeling every part of me freeze. I stared at him and saw his two linemates come over and help him out. He looked like he was in serious pain.
“Phaneuf!” I snarled, suddenly feeling very protective and furious. If I wanted to, I would jump through the screen to the game and attack Dion. That fucking son of a bitch!
I saw the poor baby Russian get escorted down the tunnel, after Dion was handed a misconduct. Damn right, he deserved it! He shouldn’t have messed with my team! And he shouldn’t be such an asshole player!
The game carried on and I saw Tyler and Jamie trading goals. It was like Val’s injury had lit a fire under them or in them and they wanted to avenge him. After Tyler got his hat trick, I was proud that Dallas had managed to win, but I was worried about the baby Russian. He hadn’t come back and I feared the worst for him.
Dion Phaneuf had injured Dallas’ best player and I wasn’t happy. I had to get to Dallas and see him. Luckily they had been playing in Dallas, so he was being looked after in a Dallas hospital. But I felt like I had to know that he was okay and I needed to be there for him. So, I sent him a text, but I didn’t hear back from him for hours. I mean, I should have figured as much, given that he was in the hospital.
You could say that maybe I cared too much about him, but he was Valeri Nichushkin, only a baby, and he didn’t deserve the injury.
He should be tearing it up in his sophomore year and getting goals and lighting the lamp.
He should be owning other teams and putting up points and showing people who he is.
But, now, thanks to the fucking Leafs and their fucking asshole goon of a defenseman, poor Val was going to be out for some time. It wasn’t right. It just wasn’t right.
(Oh, and I’d probably have to track down and hurt Dion too. You don’t get away with fucking up my baby Russian (or Kazer)!)
Notes
I may have thrown a little too much of my feelings into this chapter. Fucking Phaneuf!! You touch Nichy when he comes back or next year, I'll come track you down and touch you...with a knife. :P
Anyway, poor Val, I know he misses playing so much. We all Dallas fans miss you so much and so does Bennguin!! :( Get well quickly, speedy recovery buddy!
Next up: Time to go to Dallas!! :)
Here's another version of the edit I made for the Valentine's Day chapter:
2/14/15