Page 56 of Penalty Shot

However, in a heart-stopping Game 4 showdown, goalie Randall Haughland emerged as the unlikely hero, making dramatic saves that kept his team’s playoff hopes alive.

The Miami Sharks dominated early, with Haughland facing a barrage of shots. Midway through the first period, during a Sharks powerplay, Haughland made a stunning glove save on a point-blank shot by forward Moroslav Kovalchuk, silencing the home crowd.

The Mavericks’ first goal came from left winger Sean Bellson whose deflection squeaked between Mike Anderson’s pads. In the opening minutes of the second period, Lance Jefferson added an insurance goal with a breakaway snipe, beating Anderson high glove side.

Late in the second period, with the Mavericks holding a narrow 2-1 lead, the Sharks intensified their attack. Centerman Mario Sanchez almost tied the game with a quick wrist shot, but Haughland made a sprawling pad save. Defenseman Marek Palat’s slap shot from the blue line, seconds before the end of the game,was deflected by Haughland’s blocker, securing the Mavericks victory.

Coach Zachary Wilde commended Haughland’s performance, stating, “Randi showed exceptional composure and skill tonight. He kept us in the game with crucial saves when we needed them most.”

The Mavericks now trail the series 3-1, but Haughland’s outstanding performance has given the team renewed hope as they head back to their home ice for Game 5.

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day…What the fuck are you reading?” Sean asks when he looks over my shoulder from the gap between the seats.

We’re on the plane ride back to Columbus after our win in Miami. Heaven forbid I’m allowed some goddamn privacy.

“He’s trying to impress that theater chick,” Connor says while settling into his nap beside Sean.

“They’re called artists, you dimwit,” Gordon snaps from beside me.

“You don’t really understand that shit, do you?” Sean asks me. “It’s barely English.”

“English isn’t my first language and I understand what he’s saying. That’s fromMacbeth,” Sergei says while clicking on his phone from across the aisle.

When he looks up at our surprised faces, he shrugs.

“What? My father sent me to boarding school in Germany. They freaking love Shakespeare in Germany.”

That piques my interest. “You’ve read this play before?”

“Sure.”

“If you’re looking for something smart to say about it,” Lance states from the aisle because he never sits down unless the seatbelt sign is on, “Google is free and way more reliable than this Russian goon.”

Sergei raises his finger to object, but then changes his mind and shrugs.

“He’s right. I don’t remember much except bits of that speechwe were forced to memorize.”

“What are you guys talking about?” Logan slips into an empty seat in front of me and kneels to face backward. God, hockey players are nosy.

“Randi’s reading Shakespeare to impress a girl.”

“Never thought I’d see the day when our Randi grew out of his fuckboy phase.”

“Haha,” I say. “If you idiots are done yapping like we’re in a fucking sleepover, I’d like to return to my reading.”

“So, who is she?” Logan prompts.

“Remember the night we met all those theater people?” Connor says, eyes still closed. “Excuse me, theaterartists.”

“He wasn’t there. Logan never goes out,” Sean reminds him because this is true.

When the guy isn’t traveling or playing hockey, he’s attached to the hip with his wife, Beatrice. Won’t shut up about her, either.

“Beatrice and I started to listen to opera together,” Logan says even though no one asked. “She’s sointoit. Did you know there’s a theater by the university that shows encore performances of live recordings from the MET in New York? It’s incredible. Everything is high definition, and the sound quality is—”

Lance lays a heavy hand on his shoulder to stop the onslaught of Logan’s verbal diarrhea.

“What?” Logan asks, unaware of how unbelievably boring it is when he goes on and on about the charcuterie boards during their romantic picnics or her latest redecoration project.