Goalie Interference

I am certifiably the best goalie in the league; the Stanley Cup with my name on it proves it. So why am I suddenly completely off my game? And why the hell is a rival goalie the only person who can help?

Nikolai Ivanov lost that Cup to me. He has every reason to enjoy my downward spiral, and no reason at all to talk me through a panic attack at midnight, or pull me out of my own head with his dry Russian humor right before a game. By the time I stop to wonder what’s in it for him, Nikolai has become the most important part of my pregame routine. And I’m craving even more.

But there’s only one Stanley Cup, and we both want it. Getting involved with the goalie on the other side of the rink as we skate towards the playoffs could cost us everything.

Staying away from him should be easy.

It’s certifiably not.