Game Changers, #6
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
Contents
Chapter Eleven
Overview
Ilya and Shane face each other in Montreal, trading secret flirtation amid a tight game. Wyatt keeps Ottawa close; Ilya ties it, Luca scores again, and Shane answers. Ilya takes a painful shot off his knee but plays on. Afterward, Ilya skips the team flight under a charity pretext to meet Shane, and their reunion deepens their bond.
Summary
In Montreal, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander meet at the opening face-off and quietly arrange to see each other after the game. Their on-ice battles include teasing, coded banter that both heightens their play and underscores their separation over the past three weeks.
Ottawa stays close behind Montreal thanks to stellar goaltending from Wyatt. Ilya ties the game, drawing boos from the crowd and a warning from a referee after he blows a kiss at Shane. Rookie Luca Haas then scores his second NHL goal, only for Shane to respond quickly to regain Montreal’s momentum.
During a defensive scramble, a J.J. point shot catches Ilya painfully on the side of his knee. He refuses medical help and continues, while Shane checks on him with real concern. Bench chatter with Bood and Evan Dykstra highlights team morale, and Ilya compliments Luca’s emerging impact.
Postgame, Ilya executes a plan cleared with Coach Wiebe to skip the team flight under the guise of a charity meeting with Shane. Caught in traffic, he and Shane exchange explicit messages that build anticipation for their reunion.
Ilya arrives at Shane’s home; they have urgent, mutually desired sex, followed by gentle aftercare. The night ends with them spooning and content, reinforcing their connection despite the secrecy and pressures surrounding their public rivalry.
Who Appears
- Ilya RozanovOttawa star and captain; flirts with Shane, scores, blocks a shot off his knee, skips team flight to reunite.
- Shane HollanderMontreal star; trades goals and secret banter with Ilya, worries about his knee, hosts their private reunion.
- WyattOttawa goalie; delivers highlight-reel saves that keep the game close.
- Luca HaasOttawa rookie; scores his second NHL goal, energizing the bench.
- BoodOttawa teammate; jokes on the bench and celebrates Luca’s goal.
- Evan DykstraOttawa defenseman; checks in with Ilya during the game.
- RefereeWarns Ilya about unsportsmanlike conduct after he blows a kiss.
- Coach WiebeOttawa coach; approves Ilya’s charity pretext to remain in Montreal.
- Tanner DillonIlya’s linemate; misplays a pass that leads to pressure against Ottawa.
- J.J.Montreal defenseman; blasts the point shot that strikes Ilya’s knee.