Leaping for Your Dreams

***Mari’s POV***

Moka _tried_ to help me slog my gear into the CEC. Unfortunately for him I was all too used to doing it myself and left him in the dust. I got to the Pens room and let the bag drop from my shoulder. It was 12:15, I had time to stretch and get ready. I knocked on the door and found myself face to face with Danny Kroll. “Gilles said you’d be in the rec game today. Need a hand with your gear or do I just open the door and show you where to change?”

I hoisted the bag back up onto my shoulder. “Who do you think I am? I’m no prima donna who can’t hoist her own gear Troll.” He just grinned at me. “Now, open the door and show me where to go.” Moka just caught up to us we I entered the locker room.

“I’ll watch from the stands. I don’t get how you can stand the stench in there.” He pointed to the ramp.

Danny looked at me, “There’s a stench?” I shrugged my shoulder and kept on moving. Of course there’s a stench, that’s what happens when you get 20+ sweaty guys in one room. Once you understood that, and ignored it, it didn’t bother you anymore.

I got shown to where the black aces normally suited up. I wasn’t surprised by this; I _was_ surprised that I wasn’t the only one in there. I was the only female in there, again not unusual. I set down my bag and began unpacking it. There was the normal pre-game chatter but nothing that would alarm me. I quickly changed into my under armour and began my stretches.

Once I was loose and ready it was time for my gear. As with all players I had a way of putting it on that I felt was most efficient for me. It took me, maybe 15 minutes to get fully geared up. Normally if this was an evening game I’d do it slower, but it wasn’t so I didn’t bother.

I tell you that nothing feels better under my skates than a fresh sheet of ice and being the first guy out there. Yeah ok I’m not a guy per se, it’s just a turn of phrase. I did a few laps to get my legs under me while I waited to see who else would be joining me and how teams were divided. Turns out it was easier than I thought, they had captains already who just picked from whom was around.

We divvied up into our teams and as there was only myself and one other goalie, I couldn’t tell who it was; they each got one apiece. Turns out I was on the team opposing Dan. This gave me a chance to get a few chirps in, which I was grateful for.

Instead of a full 60 mins we played for 30, 3 periods of 10 min each. Now don’t get me wrong, this was competitive hockey we just needed energy for things later in the day and couldn’t stop for naps. The pace was wonderful for me, faster than college teams and yet slower than a full tilt NHL game.

I had Billy Guerin bearing down on me, he wasn’t the only one, but he was the one I was watching. I felt someone on my right so I moved over a tiny bit to help cover that side better. Good thing I did too as I watched Billy pass the puck to my right and then I found Disco trying to stuff home the biscuit. Fortunately I had sealed the right side so he was stonewalled. “Denied!” I sang out as I handed the puck over for play to resume.

Disco just shook his head. “Next time.” As it turned out next time was in the next period, a breakaway by him. Having been in a multitude of games I knew that patience was the key to robbing the scorer. I watched him cross the red line, then my blue line, and then he was in the slot. I was moving back into the paint as he came closer. I was waiting for the shot. When it came, I flashed him some leather and came up with the biscuit in hand.

My bench roared their approval, which just had me grinning. “That’s two.” I said flipping the puck out to center. Dan’s face just was a mask. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great guy and one of the best coaches in the NHL, but I didn’t let just anyone score on me. If you got one past me, you _earned_ it.

It was now the third. Buckle down time for me. I didn’t look at the scoreboard; I couldn’t ever do that it would mess with my head. I heard the chirping going on around me but I didn’t rise to any of it. Most of it was aimed as trying to get me off my game, which _wasn’t_ gonna happen.

I saw Mario flying down the ice towards me and I had about a seconds’ worth of debate on if it was good form to deny the Boss Man. I pushed that thought out of my head when I saw Disco trailing. This might be a rec game but it was _still_ a game.

Now mind you I’d now been on the job officially a week and I was about to rob my boss. Then a switch flipped in my head and no longer was he the boss, he was just another forward trying to put it past me. I had my own professional pride to think about after all. Mario went right, and Thank the Hockey Gods it hit Alexei. No, that’s not a person. It’s my right post. I’m a goalie and therefore allowed to be weird. Dan was right there to try and jam it home, and once again to no avail.

A few minutes later the final whistle blew. I had held onto the Shut Out I’d been working on. I was congratulated by my teammates, especially Tony and Ray. It turns out that whichever team won the most during a home stand did _not_ have to pick up the checks for dinner on the road. We all then lined up and shook hands like sensible hockey players. “I can’t believe you shut me out. Maybe I’ll bench Geno.” Dan threatened.

I laughed. “Only if he’s injured, you and I both know that.” Everyone else also enjoyed the laugh. Dan wouldn’t stoop so low that this would ever be a factor.

Gilles skated over and clapped me on the shoulder. “Find out from Flower when the next goalie practice is. I think could give ‘im a run for ‘is money.”

I shook my head. “No thanks, I already have a job I love. I don’t want to be the poster child for equality in the NHL. I’ll stick to what I’m even better at.” We were making our way off the ice at this point. I saw Donna and gave a sweaty wave. She beamed at me. “I’ll give you guys a chance to shower first. Just don’t use all the hot water.” I teased.

When I stopped a few feet away from her, her smiled was even brighter. “I don’t know how you did it, but Leslie called me back and was very apologetic for how she treated you this morning.”

I laughed. “I think I’ve proven I can handle anything thrown at me.” I said blithely as Mario passed us. “She didn’t understand that what she thought was a special circumstance, isn’t for me. It’s actually more like a challenge thrown in my face. Geno heard most of the conversation and he thinks it’s a great idea. We’ll be trying to think of some more ideas to make this the best night for them.”

Mario paused. “Who is this?” He asked as he wiped his face with a towel.

I looked over. “Make A Wish wants 66 for a special boy. Russian, father speaks no English. Geno’s his fave player. She wasn’t very nice about things at first until I spoke to the father himself. _He_ wants his son to have the best night. _I_ want to make it a night all of them love.”

He nodded. “Find out more about the boy and tell them that we’ll donate 66 for that night. I know the boys will do whatever they can too. If Geno’s already on board then they’ll find out soon enough but make sure you tell them on Monday.”

I chuckled. “That won’t be a problem, the father and Ms. McGuire are coming by at 1 pm Monday to see 66. I thought of giving them a quick tour as well. Do we want to keep this on the down low until after the fact? This way we could bring them in for a more personal tour before then.”

Mario thought about it. “Talk to PR about that. It would be good press for us, but if we’re trying to balance what they might be able to handle, it would be for the best.”

Donna just looked stunned. Like she hadn’t ever thought about talking to Mario about this. I simply nodded. “That was my plan for after. Good for Make A Wish and us, but it will depend on what they can handle. Maybe having Pens TV following them would be better. I’ll talk to Jenn about it.”

Mario nodded and walked away towards his own shower. Donna finally was able to say something. “I can’t believe how casual you are with him. I mean that’s _everyone’s_ boss.”

I looked at her and sighed. “He is who he always was. He just wants to be treated like a person, which I’m more than happy to do. I’ve known him a few years so I have already separated the man, myth and legend. I’ve seen him in a lot of different ways as well. He’s different here than he is with his kids and Nat. In public is also another story. Just treat him like you’d treat Sid and you’ve got it right.” I got a whiff of what was beginning to come off of me and wrinkled my nose. “Look I’ll be happy to give you more ideas on how to handle all the major Hockey personalities that come through here, but can it wait until I’ve gotten a shower?”

Donna laughed. “Sure, sorry I was just so amazed that she apologized. She has lousy interpersonal skills but she gets results. I’ll catch you at another time.”

We parted and I walked into the locker room to a standing ovation. “You can play in our games anytime you want Mari. Very few people deny the boss like that and live. He must like you.”

I blushed. “Thanks guys. Now get out of the way so I can shower. I’ve got an event just like you guys have a game.” They all moved and as I peeled my gear off, Dana grabbed it. “What are you doing?”

“I’m gonna throw it in the Sani Sport tonight before the guys get in here. This way you don’t have your gear smelling up your office and yet it’s close at hand for tomorrow.” It was like that was the most obvious thing ever.

“Oh, Thanks. You don’t have to though.” He placed a finger on my lips.

“You stonewalled some of the best guys to play the game this afternoon. You made your family debut and showed that you belonged. I do this for everyone who plays in the afternoon game. Gives me something to do between when you guys finish and the boys start coming in.” I stopped arguing with him. You never argued with the Equipment guys.

After a nice shower I found my gear airing out in the locker I had been put in front of and a piece of tape with my name on it above it. It was a small thing but it made my day. Turns out maybe denying the Boss wasn’t a bad idea after all.