Game Changers, #6
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
Contents
Chapter Seven
Overview
Montreal celebrates a third Stanley Cup and opens the season with a dominant win, reinforcing Shane’s commitment to stay. In contrast, Ottawa’s deflating home opener ends in another loss, despite Luca Haas’s first NHL goal. Ilya, exhausted and doubting his captaincy, withdraws from teammates and reaches out to Shane late at night.
Summary
Shane stands on Montreal’s ice during the banner ceremony, savoring a third Stanley Cup and embracing talk of a dynasty. He feels certain he will re-sign with Montreal when his contract ends and trades confident vows for a fourth Cup with J.J. The team then wins its home opener decisively, though Coach Theriault dampens celebration with critiques and a video session callout.
After the game, Shane deflects Hayden’s teasing about his mood but agrees to hang out, privately hoping Ottawa managed a win. He reflects that facing Ilya no longer feels like a true rivalry given Ottawa’s struggles, and he misses the competitive edge their matchups once had.
In Ottawa, Ilya endures a flashy but hollow home opener. Despite liking new coach Brandon Wiebe and praising goalie Wyatt’s heroics, he laments a roster that can’t convert talent into wins. Ottawa loses, though Luca Haas scores his first NHL goal and is celebrated by Zane Boodram, whose leadership presence makes Ilya question whether he deserves the captaincy.
Ilya completes media duties, banters with openly gay social media manager Harris, and considers but ultimately declines going out with teammates, disappointing Luca. Later, lying awake and spiraling into self-criticism, Ilya longs for Shane’s comfort and texts him after 1 a.m. The next morning, Shane sees the message and, with a wry assumption about Ilya’s intentions, starts his day.
Who Appears
- Shane HollanderMontreal star savoring a third Cup banner; committed to re-signing; wins opener; notices coach’s intensity; agrees to hang with Hayden; sees Ilya’s late-night text.
- Ilya RozanovOttawa captain frustrated by team’s struggles; questions his captaincy; supports rookie Luca; skips team outing; spirals at night and texts Shane.
- Luca HaasRookie who scores his first NHL goal in his debut; shy and excited; encouraged by Ilya.
- Zane "Bood" BoodramIlya’s linemate and locker room spark; celebrates Luca; embodies informal leadership Ilya feels he lacks.
- HarrisTeam social media manager; openly gay; lifts Ilya’s mood with friendly banter and invites him out.
- HaydenShane’s teammate and friend; jokes about Shane’s mood; pushes to hang out after practice.
- Coach TheriaultMontreal’s stern coach; tempers celebration, schedules video to fix power play despite a strong win.
- Coach Brandon WiebeOttawa’s young coach; supportive post-loss, praises players and Luca’s milestone.
- J.J.Montreal teammate; shares dynasty talk with Shane, aiming for a fourth Cup.
- WyattOttawa goalie; faces heavy shot volumes and earns praise for keeping games close.
- Patrice DrapeauMontreal goalie; allows only one goal in the dominant season opener win.