He stood with the team while the opening of the game started with a local singer sang the Canadian National anthem.
The game was about to start, he headed for his territory. Goal. He acknowledged the starting line as they skated by him. The whistle blew, the puck was dropped and the game was on.
Mandy had been quiet about their future as well.
He dived left to stop a shot, ready for the rebound, he crouched. Another shot came and then the whistle blew. A new face off was occurring to his right. He watched it.
He couldn't really bring up where things were going, he had no idea where he was going. And he didn't knowHe muttered a curse as he moved right to grab the puck in his glove. Players were all over in front of him, so he held it.
He didn't have a clue if Mandy would consider moving to Calgary. She seemed pretty settled in Red Deer, and Colton was happy there. She had her job secure. Would she uproot it all for him?
The play was going back the other way and he relaxed for the moment. Go, go, go Kyle, he cheered in his mind.
Okay, so there was the engagement ring he'd bought for her. A sapphire set with tiny diamonds, it was small. She'd appreciate it more than a large diamond. He'd purchased the matching necklace at the same time, which he'd given her as a sort of anniversary present at the beginning with April. But that ring in his drawer was driving him crazy.
He really needed to get his head into the game. Before they scored on him due to distraction. He shook his head and turned his attention the play.
Twenty, fourty, sixty minutes went by in a flash. The game was done. The game was won. There was one goal that got by him during the second period, near the end.
The Saddledome vibrated with cheers at the end of the game. He could see Colton and Mandy on their feet, cheering as well. She blew a kiss at him and he smiled, his heart swelling. He'd been solid tonight, blocking twenty-seven shots. He wished he'd gotten the shut out, but he couldn't change it now.
Kip got caught by the press on his way to the dressing room. The CBC wanted to talk to him about how he felt the game had gone. He spoke with them briefly, feeling antsy. He wanted to head to the dressing room, to celebrate with the team, to go home and celebrate in private with Mandy.
He had a flash as he walked down the hallway that was filled with people congratulating him. He recalled winning some important game, he couldn't recall what the game was right now.