by
Phil Stephens
Biology Department
Villanova University, Villanova, PA
“That’s the problem with being the star player on any team, Rick, you’ve got a target on your shirt,” the coach said as his first line center skated slowly off the ice.
The coach knew that varsity ice hockey was rough, but now he was thinking about the wisdom of traveling so far across country for this tournament in the middle of nowhere. There were only a few minutes left in this third and final game of the day. His players were tired. The teams were evenly matched, but loose officiating in the last period made the coach worry that his team’s injury list would grow. The kids were showing heart, all playing with bumps and bruises, but the hitting was intensifying and it seemed to him that the opposition was going after his better players.
“Change it up!”
The first line went back out and the coaches watched as Rick took the ice and the opposition’s checking line went with them.
“Okay, guys, we’re shortening the shifts, so keep your heads up and don’t get caught on the boards.”
Just at that moment one of the wings came off after a collision, and Rick was collecting the bouncing puck behind his own net. The opposition took advantage of the extra man to double team Rick.
“Was that an elbow or his stick?” asked the coach as Rick slammed against the boards.
Rick crumpled to the ice, doubled over in pain. The whistles blew. The coaches slid their way out to Rick, who was still lying curled on the ice.
“Great,” said the assistant coach. “A one-man advantage with less than two minutes remaining, and our best player is out of the game, perhaps even out of the tournament.”
Blood was dripping from Rick’s mouth and his eyes were glazed over. A parent started onto the ice, and the assistant coach told the referee that the man was a doctor.
“Can you get him off the ice so we can finish the game?” asked an official.
The coaches looked at the doctor, who nodded, and the two coaches lifted Rick to his feet, almost carrying him to the bench.
“Okay guys, pull the goalie. Two man advantage. Let’s put them away.”
The bench buzzed with excitement at the risky move, but the coach turned his back on the game and attended to Rick, who was slumped in a corner of the bench.
“Ready to go on, coach,” Rick muttered.
The coach smiled. “What happened, Rick?”
“One guy stood me up and the other hit me in the gut with the butt end of his stick. Here, just below my ribs.”
The doctor lifted Rick’s shirt and could see the bruise beginning to form around his diaphragm on the left side.
“I think a trip to the local emergency room may be in order,” said the doctor.
“Don’t worry, Dad, I’ve had worse,” but Rick’s words were lost in cheers as the team scored with a few seconds to go. The horn sounded and Rick sprang to his feet, blood still dripping from his mouth, and rushed onto the ice to celebrate with his team.
“Nothing much wrong with him,” said the coach.
Date Posted: 04/19/04 nas. Last revised 10/21/04 nas.
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