Game Changers, #6
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
Contents
Chapter Nine
Overview
Ilya struggles with fatigue, recurring dreams about his mother, and distance from Shane, leading to intimate texting but renewed loneliness. On a West Coast trip, Shane talks with Hayden about future parenthood and support. Ottawa’s low-attendance home game ends in a 4–2 loss despite an early Ilya goal. Determined to spark team spirit and his leadership, Ilya announces a Halloween party at his house.
Summary
Ilya wakes from a recurring dream about his mother, aching from a recent hit and missing Shane. He texts Shane from Ottawa while Shane is in St. Louis, trading selfies and brief sexting before Shane’s team meeting cuts it short. The secrecy and distance intensify Ilya’s loneliness.
In Los Angeles, Shane struggles with time-zone insomnia. Teammate Hayden visits after scaring himself with a horror movie, and their TV-watching banter turns to future family plans. Hayden predicts Shane would be the steady parent and Ilya the fun one; Shane quietly stresses about logistics but is buoyed by the idea. Shane mentions plans to shop with his actor friend Rose.
On Ottawa game day, Ilya shares his driveway ritual with neighbor kids Willa and Andrew, then drives to the arena, grabbing coffees for himself and rookie Luca Haas. He jokes with goalie Wyatt Hayes about the team’s poor attendance and endures Evan Dykstra’s country playlist turn, underscoring his frustration with Ottawa’s atmosphere.
Against Columbus, Ilya scores early, but the momentum fades and the arena thins as Ottawa falls behind. At a face-off, Jake Pierce questions why Ilya chose Ottawa, highlighting league-wide disbelief at his situation. The game ends 4–2 for Columbus.
Postgame, after Harris shows a fan’s pumpkin carving of Ilya, the dejection pushes Ilya to act. He declares he’ll host the team’s Halloween party, aiming to revive camaraderie and step up as captain the way he once did in Boston.
Who Appears
- Ilya RozanovOttawa captain; exhausted, misses Shane, sexts, scores early but loses; decides to host a Halloween party.
- Shane HollanderOn West Coast trip; trades intimate texts with Ilya; discusses future kids with Hayden; plans to see Rose.
- HaydenShane’s teammate; seeks company after a scary movie; talks parenting, reassures Shane about future fatherhood.
- Wyatt HayesOttawa goalie; jokes with Ilya about low attendance and morale before the Columbus game.
- Luca HaasOttawa rookie; receives a coffee from Ilya, flustered by the captain’s attention.
- Jake PierceColumbus star center; taunts and questions Ilya’s decision to sign with Ottawa during the game.
- BoodIlya’s left wing linemate; celebrates Ilya’s opening goal with exuberant energy.
- Tanner DillonRight wing on Ilya’s line; struggles to match his linemates’ level.
- Coach WiebeOttawa coach; briefly praises early effort before the team’s loss.
- HarrisTeam staffer; shows Ilya a fan’s pumpkin carving, sparking the Halloween party idea.
- WillaNeighbor child; cheers Ilya pregame during driveway ritual, asks for goals.
- AndrewWilla’s younger brother; excited for popcorn and the game, part of Ilya’s ritual.
- KateMother of Willa and Andrew; greets and encourages Ilya before the game.
- Evan DykstraTeammate controlling locker room music; his country picks irk Ilya.