Game Changers, #6
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Overview
At the All-Star Skills, Shane narrowly beats Ilya in fastest skater, stoking their playful rivalry. Dallas Kent’s win and Commissioner Crowell’s pressure on Troy highlight ongoing league complicity. Later, Shane and Ilya spend a clandestine night together, nearly discovered, deepening intimacy while confronting the daunting reality of being married, active NHL stars.
Summary
Ilya and Shane sit together at the All-Star Skills, trading barbs before the fastest skater event. Shane races first, sets the top time, and Ilya, last to skate, narrowly falls short. Shane celebrates; their rivalry stays light, though Ilya worries about Shane pushing too hard and grumbles that it was “basically a tie.”
They endure Dallas Kent winning accuracy, and Shane seethes. Ilya shares that Commissioner Crowell told Troy to stop posting sexual-assault resources, implying protection of Kent and league image. Wyatt teases them on the bench. Later in the hotel bar, Ilya needles Scott Hunter about the stickhandling event, summer camps, and retirement, but ends by sincerely inviting Scott and Kip to Ottawa/Montreal. Shane, wearing a near-sheer shirt, catches Ilya’s eye, and they wordlessly plan to meet.
Shane sneaks to Ilya’s room after freshening up. Their reunion is slow and indulgent by Ilya’s design, heightening the thrill and risk of being surrounded by peers in the hallway. Cliff Marlow’s drunk knock nearly exposes them; Ilya deflects by implying a woman is inside. The interruption only intensifies their charged encounter, which they complete quietly amid hallway noise.
After, they decide Shane will stay the night despite the risk. Talk shifts to the future: Ilya exults at the idea of being the first married All-Stars next year, while Shane admits fear about being married and still playing. They commit to facing it together, with Ilya eager and Shane determined.
Who Appears
- Ilya RozanovOttawa captain; loses fastest skater by a fraction; condemns Crowell; orchestrates a slow, risky hotel tryst; eager about being married All-Stars.
- Shane HollanderWins fastest skater; fumes at Kent; sneaks to Ilya’s room; nearly caught; wrestles with fear of being married and active in the NHL.
- Dallas KentWins accuracy event; his presence fuels Shane’s anger over the league’s protection and silence.
- Commissioner CrowellReportedly tells Troy to stop posting about sexual assault, signaling league image-protection over accountability.
- Scott HunterChats with Ilya at the bar about camps and retirement; invited to bring Kip to Ottawa/Montreal.
- Wyatt ‘Hazy’Goalie friend who teases Shane and Ilya on the bench during the Skills competition.
- MathesonColorado captain chatting with Shane at the bar; a social backdrop to the secret rendezvous.
- Cliff MarlowTeammate who drunkenly knocks on Ilya’s door, nearly exposing Shane and Ilya’s secret.
- TroyOff-page; referenced as being pressured by Crowell to stop posting sexual-assault resources.