Phoenix (part three)
Well, I thought he was ready.Eli 16.5 had put in consistent, solid work. He was still progressing at a rapid rate, even during the season.
He had a quality.
Still, though, this was against the best team in the country. Three years ago, he was playing "B" in Texas.
It was a lot to expect of anyone.
What a moment for him, though. Dr. Seuss said it best, I think: oh, the places you'll go!
This was a big game, but at the same time, it needed to be a regular game. I wasn't going to see him, so I texted him this:
You're the best athlete. You've overcome
more than anyone else to get here. You
have the certainty of years of hard work.
You shouldn't be nervous when you
skate out tonight--you should be inspired.
We both know that you'll play on much
bigger stages than this one day, but this
is still a really nice moment.
Be happy and have fun.
And his three keys (which he doesn't even need anymore, but we both still like doing it) in a separate text:
Three keys:
--Control the puck
--Expect quick shots around screens
--Play certain and with power
Love you, buddy!
The "play certain and with power" was the most important. When he does that, he looks like a goalie who still has a long way to go before he hangs up his skates.
I'd like to give you a dramatic retelling of the game, but there weren't enough twists and turns for that. The #1 team was incredibly skilled and very fast, and we were on our heels the entire game, fighting to survive.
Eli, though, wasn't on his heels.
It was a culmination of so many hours and so many miles, with so many more to come.
31 shots. 29 saves. A few that stunned me.
The save reel (including the two goals):
We couldn't score, but we never backed down, either. It was a 2-0 loss, but everyone gave everything they had, and no one could ask for more than that.
Eli came through the lobby after the game. I hugged him, and smiling, he said, "I stretched every night for a year to make that save."
Then he went to the bus.
There was nothing more he needed to say.
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