It's a Girl's Game

“I really feel Assat helped me be ready to play in the NHL. I am finally living out my dream,” Jamie told reporters.
“Don’t you feel strange being the only girl in the NHL? What happens when someone picks a fight with you.”
“Well you see, I have been playing with boys since I started playing hockey and I never looked back. Also I grew up with 3 older brothers, I needed to learn to fight back. Over in Europe I am a know fighter, I’m not going to let someone take advantage of one of my teammates. Just ask Zdeno Chara or Jakub Voracek, they should be able to tell you I can fight,” she replies, a small smirk on her face.
“So Jamie, you seem to have a lot of talk, but we only saw a touch of what you can do. Will you be able to back up everything you saw with your ‘skill’?”
“Alright, so I can see you people don’t believe a girl can play with boys. I’m use to that, but this is game one of a 82 game season. I have plenty of time to back up my mouth and that’s all I have to say on the issue.”
“Jamie they only person I’ve seen embarrass a goalie like that is Patrick Kane,” Sutter said coming up behind Jamie as they boarded the plane for Toronto.
“Thanks Suttsy, it’s one of the many skills I have,” Jamie ‘bragged’ before bursting out laughing.
“And this is way I like you,” Sutter relied, sitting down.
“Wake me up when we land,” Jamie said.
“Sure thing.”
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“I really like this new signing by the Penguins. It seems in practices and in the first game, Jamie Jokinen is really pushing the boys to play better. Watching the preseason games, I really got the idea of what she can do. The Penguins new head coach, Mike Johnston, sees a lot of potential in her. I can’t wait to what she’ll do tonight.”
Jamie was not as nervous this game as she was the first. Since she already got her first game out of the way she was feeling pretty confident. She really wanted to show those stupid reporters just what she could do.
Everyone got a talking to during the first intermission. The score was 1-0 Maple Leafs and Johnston was not happy.
“Your play is slow! We need to pick up the defense boys!” he yelled. He continued on for a couple more minutes. Sid was about to say something; he was the captain after all, when Jamie butted in. Her instincts kicked to say.
“Listen up, we’re not playing with any energy!” she called out, “ Toronto will try to add on, but they’ll also protect! We need to go out there and pick up the energy! First we need to tie the game, the take the lead, then send the Leafs packing!” This caused the cheering from most of the Penguins.
“What Jamie said!” Sid called out.
“Sorry bud, I’ve been the captain for a long time, instincts,” she told her captain.
“It worked, no hard feelings.”
"Good, now lets go kick some Leafs’ butts.”
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The Penguins came out with more energy then the start. The second period was dominated by Pittsburgh. Kunitz was able to get one behind the Maple Leafs goaltender. Flower shut the door when the Leafs had two consecutive power plays. The second period ended with the score 1-1.
The Pittsburgh Penguins came out with one thing in mind: get one in the net and shut the door on the Maple Leafs. 15 minutes went by of back and forth hockey. On the bench Jamie was sitting next to Sid when she got an idea.
“Kuny, stay on the bench. I’m going on the ice with Sid,” she told Kunitz.
“Why?” he asked.
“Sid listen to me, When we are in their zone, throw a blind pass at the left red dot, I’ll be there,” Jamie told Sid ignoring Kunitz.
“That’s not going to work, what if your not there?” he asked, a little apprehensive with the whole plan.
“Trust me, I’ve done this before.” With that she jumped the bench with Sidney and skated into the Leafs’ zone.
“The Penguins have been controlling the Leafs zone the last 5 minutes, but they have nothing to show for it. Jamie is on the Crosby line instead of Kunitz, what could Mike Johnston possible have in mind?”
“Sid pass the puck, just trust me!” Jamie called out to her captain.
“Crosby throws a blind pass to the dot, but no one’s there. Jokinen comes over for a one timer. I have never seen this play before. It’s in the net, Penguins Score!”
“Yeah!” Jamie yelled in pure joy, “Told you it would work!”
“Lets finish them of boys!” Sid called as he passed the bench.
The Maple Leafs tries to fight back, but Flower closed the door a long time ago. The final score: Maple Leafs 1, the Penguins 2. Jamie Jokinen had the winning goal.

Notes