Making the Cut Read online

  “Sweet move,” Charlie said, as Cameron roofed a backhand over the goalie’s glove.

  They were at the front.

  “You go ahead,” he said.

  “Nah. You won the championship this year. Go for it,” Savard replied.

  The whistle blew. Charlie gave Savard’s pads a tap and took off. The defenceman backed up as soon as he rounded the cone, which left little choice but to shoot. Using the defender as a screen, Charlie got off a howitzer right into the top left corner. That felt awesome, and Charlie was stoked for the next one-on-one as he received a crisp pass from Miller.

  Charlie tried going in with one hand on the stick, holding the puck wide with his right hand. Usually, the defenceman went for the puck, and he’d slip it between his legs and step inside. This time the D ignored the puck completely and rode Charlie off to the side.

  “Nice play,” Charlie said. He wasn’t sure but he thought his name was Nathan.

  The compliment seemed to have surprised him. “Yeah, thanks,” he grunted in return.

  As Charlie waited to go again, Trevor skated over to him.

  “Hey, Charlie. Careful with that deke. You lose the puck in the neutral zone and your team will get punished on the counter attack. If the D doesn’t bite, bounce it outside and at least make sure the puck gets into their end — and take it hard, no soft moves.”

  He slapped his shin pads and in two seconds was practically at top speed. Charlie marvelled at how effortlessly he skated. Trevor was right, though. These guys knew better than to look at the puck. When his turn came up, he was determined to follow Trevor’s advice. He used a spin move at the top of the circle and beat one defender to the outside, only the goalie came out strong and took away the angle and stopped Charlie’s snap shot to the short side.

  Slogger was defending for the second one-on-one. Charlie took the pass and drifted into centre, faked left with his head, slowed slightly to throw Slogger off, and then broke it outside along the boards. Slogger carved on his edges frantically to head him off.

  As he crossed the blue line, Charlie had to slow down to gather the puck, and that let Slogger spin to his left, and his hip just caught Charlie on the inside of his thigh. Charlie bounced off and his right elbow banged against the glass. He kept his feet moving, however, and with the puck sitting about a foot from the boards, Charlie was able to gain the corner and cut towards the goalie, who’d drifted out to the top of the crease. Unfortunately, his elbow was throbbing and, distracted by the pain, he lost control of the puck trying to shovel it stick side with his backhand.

  “Next time I won’t take it so easy on ya,” Slogger joked, as he turned and skated back to centre.

  A sick feeling in his gut, Charlie coasted to a stop behind the forward’s line. Of course he had to lose his elbow pad and then smash into the boards in the first drill. He gingerly tried to extend his arm — and a shock wave spread up and down his arm.

  The rest of the practice was a nightmare. The pain made it hard to shoot. He’d never been so relieved to hear a coach blow his whistle to signal the end of practice.

  In the dressing room the typical horseplay ensued, tape balls whizzing though the air, and the guys dissing each other or bragging about some move or other.

  “Zane, how’d it feel getting totally dangled on that one-on-one,” a kid named Richard teased.

  Zane tilted his chin up. “Shut up, ya goof,” he shot back.

  Charlie ignored them, struggling to even untie his skates. His right arm was useless. What if it stayed this bad, he wondered. He’d have to go home and lose out on everything. Wouldn’t Jake get a kick out of that? He’d probably move up and take his spot.

  “How’s the arm, bud?” Trevor looked down at him with obvious concern.

  “It’s kinda hurting. Banged it … during practice.”

  “I thought you got dinged up a bit. You seemed to have trouble carrying the puck. Why don’t you drop by the trainer’s room? It’s down the hall to the right. I’ll get you some ice.” He hesitated and said quietly, “Do you need some help getting undressed?”

  He did — but no way he’d let the others see that! “I’m good. I’ll see you in a sec.”

  Slowed by the elbow, he was the last player out. He walked to the trainer’s room and knocked on the door.

  “Come in.”

  Trevor held a plastic bag full of ice. “Sit on this table and let me look it over.” He started probing the elbow with his fingers.

  “Looks like a fairly nice bruise,” Trevor mused. “Weird place to get hurt, though. Your elbow pad must have shifted, ’cause it’s usually well protected there. Are your pads too small?”

  Charlie flushed and lowered his eyes. This was going to sound lame. “I … I lost my elbow pads somehow. Don’t know … maybe at the last practice.”

  “You didn’t have elbow pads at practice?” Trevor practically shouted.

  Charlie smiled weakly. “I wrapped some socks around my arm. Guess it wasn’t that effective.”

  Trevor’s mouth scrunched to one side. “Not the smartest thing to do. Don’t think you did any serious damage, fortunately. Ice your elbow on the way back to the dorm and I’ll bring some more ice for tonight. Might be uncomfortable tomorrow, but you’ll live.”

  He handed the bag of ice over, then snapped his fingers and pointed at him like he was holding a gun. “Check the lost and found. It’s by the front doors. Guys are always losing stuff. It’s amazing anyone shows up with equipment on at all.”

  “Sure. Thanks, Trevor. I’ll go right now.”

  “If you don’t find anything, let me know and I’ll see about hunting down an extra pair.”

  Charlie thanked him again. He pressed the ice bag against his elbow. The cold felt good. The lost and found was right by the door. Like Trevor had said, there was tons of stuff. A hockey sweater was draped across the top. He tossed it aside — and had to stop himself from yelling out loud. Two elbow pads were sitting on top. He picked them up to take a closer look. That was weird. They looked like his. He looked closer, and had to shake his head twice before accepting that they were his. How had he lost them?

  Talk about luck.

  He adjusted the ice bag in his hand — well, maybe not that lucky.

  At least he had all his equipment again. He raced back to the dressing room and popped his elbow pads into his bag.

  9

  OBSTACLE ILLUSION

  Charlie thrust his fist into the pouch of his sweatshirt and pulled his hood up. Nick and Scott had their hoods up too.

  “This wind is brutal,” Charlie said. “Aren’t summers supposed to be warm?”

  “Can’t believe we had to go for a jog at nine in the morning,” Nick said.

  They entered a forest.

  Scott rubbed his stomach. “I’m starving. You think we’re going for a picnic?”

  Charlie was slightly ahead of his friends, and saw what was next. “I see an obstacle course in our future, dudes.”

  They gave a mock cheer.

  Tweet.

  “Run it in, gentlemen,” Jen yelled. “Welcome to the obstacle course. I trust you enjoyed your run this morning.” A few guys answered with a chorus of boos. Jen arched an eyebrow and continued. “Please divide into two groups — one on the right and the other on the left. We’ll go continuous on the course until I see you’ve worked up a sweat.” She pulled her hat down close to her eyes “So let’s go hard. It’s good for you.” No one laughed at her joke, and she sighed. “I suppose it is a touch early for humour. But this is going to be great, I promise; and if I’m in a good mood, we might have a challenge match between the teams.”

  Jen blasted her whistle and the two guys in the front took off, Corey being one of them. Scott was joking around with Pete and Jared. Jake was holding court with Zane and a few guys from Teams 1 and 2. Charlie decided to take a page from their book. He’d be with these guys for two weeks, and the least he could do was try to make some friends. Behind him a short, broad-sh
ouldered guy was staring off into the forest, a left winger named Richard.

  “How’d the run go?” he said.

  Richard turned slowly towards him. “It went.”

  “Hard to get motivated so early in the morning.”

  “I guess.”

  “Were you here last year?”

  “No.”

  “Wonder what the course is like.”

  “We’ll find out.”

  Richard looked away, ending the conversation. How did Scott and Jake do it? That was painful.

  Tweet!

  “Mr. Joyce, it’s your turn,” Jen said sternly.

  He took off like a shot, high stepping through a series of car tires. Next he had to run across a long log about a metre above the ground, followed by a water jump and a series of hurdles, which led to a four-metre-high wall. A rope hung in front. Charlie grasped the rope and hauled himself up and over using his feet against the wall as leverage. After the wall there was another series of tires, a rope bridge, a long tube to crawl through, and finally three walls that went up to his shoulders.

  He’d just clambered over the last wall when Trevor yelled out, “How’s the elbow?”

  Charlie waved back. “It’s stiff, but I’ve been icing it non-stop and it feels way better.”

  Trevor flashed a thumbs-up, and Charlie ran back to the start; and as Jen had said, it was fun. Charlie enjoyed doing the course, and so did the other guys. There was no lack of laughing and joking around before long.

  Jake got the biggest reaction when he headed down the course walking on his hands and he tried to continue on his hands through the tires. He ended up wiping out, of course. Even Charlie had to admit it was funny. Jake wasn’t the same kid here. It was weird. The Jake he knew was the guy who’d been laughing when Zane challenged him to a fight. So who was the real Jake Wilkenson?

  Jen held up her hand. “Organize yourselves into your teams. I want Team 1 on the left and Team 3 on the right. Time for the run off. Teams 2 and 4 will go next. Winners of each race go again for the championship. The champs get a prize — and trust me, you’ll want it.”

  No one seemed too happy about the prospect of another run. Charlie was always up for a race, but he joined his Team 1 teammates in complaining, so as not to seem uncool. Corey was first up for Team 3. He was staring forward intently, knees bent, flexing his fingers slowly.

  Jen blew the whistle, sending Corey charging down the course. Charlie was fourth in line, behind Savard. Burnett had led off for Team 1 and returned with the lead, Corey thundering after him. Everything seemed like such a struggle for the guy. The lead grew with each runner, so by the time Charlie tagged Savard’s outstretched hand, he had a half-course lead. The rest of the race was a formality. As his teammates celebrated, Charlie noticed Corey off to the side, hunched over.

  “So how are ya making out?” he said.

  Corey straightened abruptly. “Oh … hi.” He growled and kicked at the ground with the toe of his shoe. “Team 3’s such a joke. They don’t even put in an effort — bunch of babies. Why’d I even bother running? Still can’t believe I’m on Team 3. Can you?”

  “Maybe they want to give some other players a chance. You’ll move up, I’m sure.”

  Corey’s head jerked up. “You think I will? Do you really? When?”

  Charlie was taken aback. “Um … like … I’m not sure. Soon.”

  Corey’s expression grew worried. “Lot of competition up the middle. Savard can play, and I hear that Wilkenson guy is a stud too. There’s talk of him moving up … and … and … you’re in there too. Not many spots.”

  Tweet.

  “Teams 2 and 4 are up,” Jen announced. “Winner takes on Team 1.”

  Corey didn’t seem like he had anything else to say. Charlie cleared his throat. “I’m gonna watch this race … see how my friends do.”

  Corey barely nodded. “I’m gonna go up the course and watch the next race — and good luck in the finals.”

  This race was closer. Pete was Team 4’s first runner, and he tore the course apart. Scott kept the lead, but then Team 2 closed the gap slowly. The two teams were practically even when the last runners left. Jake was anchor for Team 2, and he won the sprint back to the starting line for the win. His teammates gave him a huge cheer.

  “Team 2 is True,” Jake chanted, as a few others joined in.

  “I need Team 1 and 2 on the line for the run off. Let’s go,” Jen said.

  “Same order as last time,” Zane ordered.

  No one questioned him. Charlie wondered when he became captain, but didn’t say anything. He lined up behind Savard.

  “Let me in here,” Charlie heard Jake say. “We’re old friends. It’ll be nifty to run against him. Don’t you think, Charles?”

  Charlie didn’t take the bait and pretended he hadn’t heard. He clenched his fists and readied himself. He’d show Jake what Charlie Joyce could do.

  Jen’s “Go!” brought his attention back to the race. Team 1 got off to a quick start. When Savard returned Charlie had a ten metre lead. He knew Jake was fast, so he pushed himself hard. He made it through the tires and over the water jump in good order, and then raced to the wall.

  His rope was gone! He looked around frantically. He couldn’t climb a four metre wall without a rope. He reached for the Team 2 rope.

  “Get lost, Joyce. That’s mine.” Jake was steaming towards him.

  “Where’s my rope?”

  Jake screwed his eyes shut and shook his head. “Not my problem,” he snarled.

  Jake tried to pull the rope away, but Charlie held firm.

  “Let go, Joyce, and get out of my way,” Jake threatened.

  “Since when is it your rope,” Charlie said.

  “Since it’s on my side.”

  “But there’s only one rope. Where’s the other one?”

  Trevor came running over. “What’s going on, guys?” he asked.

  “Nothing, other than he’s cheating,” Jake said, nodding towards Charlie. “He cut me off and took my rope.” He tugged on it again.

  “Charlie, what’s up?” Trevor asked.

  “I was in the lead, and when I got to the wall there was only one rope, so I figured that was the one I had to use. Then Jake came and tried to rip the rope out of my hands …”

  “You’re such a liar it hurts,” Jake interrupted.

  Trevor looked at them both, and then went behind the wall. The other rope came flying over. “I think I found it,” Trevor said.

  By this time, Jen and a few other players had come down from the starting line to see what the yelling was about.

  “Trevor, why did you end the race?” she demanded.

  “I didn’t. These two were wrestling over the rope.”

  Charlie suddenly realized he was still holding on to it. He let go as if it was burning his hands.

  “Why’d you do that?” she asked them both.

  “Ask him,” Jake said. “This is my rope. It’s on Team 2’s side. He cut me off and wouldn’t let me climb the wall.”

  Charlie tilted his head to one side. “Yes, Jake. I deliberately threw myself in front of you.”

  Scott and Nick laughed openly. Corey pushed his way to the front.

  Jake’s eyes were blazing now. “The guy took my rope because I was totally gaining on him. I was about to pass him — and he pulls this junk.” He threw the rope against the wall. “I know it’s just a stupid race — but it’s bogus when someone cheats.”

  “This was supposed to be fun,” Jen said. She sounded irritated. “Why did you take Team 2’s rope?” she asked Charlie.

  “When I got here there was only one rope.”

  “Team 1’s rope got flipped to the back of the wall,” Trevor explained.

  Jen pointed at Charlie. “Who went ahead of you?” she asked.

  The entire camp was now crowded around.

  “That was me,” Savard said. “I’m positive the rope was on the right side. Positive. I remember throwing it back.
I was paranoid about it so I made sure.”

  Everyone started to talk at once. Jake crossed his arms and stared with a cocky grin at Charlie.

  That was the Jake he knew — the Mister Friendly act didn’t fool him. He was lying to get him in trouble, and he thought it was funny. While Charlie fumed, Jen and Trevor moved off to the side.

  “I think Team 2 has to be the winner,” Jake said. “Joyce took our rope. Open and shut case.” Charlie saw Trevor say something to Jen and she shook her head.

  “We need to get back,” Jen said to them. “You can grab a snack from the cafeteria, and then it’s time for practice. It’s only a silly race … but … it looks like Charlie did interfere with Team 2’s rope. I have no choice but to declare Team 2 the winner, and they will receive their prize. At the same time, let’s all forget about this, and I hope no one will harbour any grudges. Again, it’s just a race.”

  The Team 2 players let out a huge roar and a bunch of guys clapped Jake on the back and shoulders. Markus raised Jake’s arm over his head like a boxer who’d won a fight.

  “So who wants to run back?” Jen asked cheerfully.

  A chorus of “No”s answered her.

  “Excellent. Then let’s all run back together. Follow me,” she said laughing, before setting off at a fast clip.

  Charlie followed along, trying to figure things out. It might have been the Team 2 player who ran with Savard. He’d have been behind, and it would have been easy for him. He tried to remember who that was. It came to him in a flash. “Nathan,” he practically shouted. A few guys looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. He didn’t care. It made perfect sense now. Nathan was the culprit, and Charlie bet Jake had put him up to it. So now he had three guys to worry about — Jake, Zane and Nathan, and maybe he could add Markus to the list. Who else, he wondered? It was easy enough for Jen to say it was only a silly race. All of Team 1 would blame him. How could they not? He’d be the least popular guy on the ice from now on. And it wasn’t fair.

  “Thanks a lot, teammate,” Richard muttered as he ran past, which confirmed what he’d been thinking.