The starters took the ice again at the beginning of the third period. Unfortunately, it didn’t go any better for Kyla. In the middle of the period, Bethany assisted Mac again for the Storms’ third goal.
Kyla huffed out a frustrated breath as the crowd cheered. Why was she was even on the ice if no one was ever going to pass to her?
After the goal, the Rockets center had control of the puck. She danced in front of Ana, waiting for her chance to shoot. Ana matched the girl’s movements, parallel shuffling to protect the net.
The Rockets center finally slapped the puck, aiming over Ana’s left shoulder. But the puck sailed over the net and was now swirling behind the goal.
Shay, a Storms defender, raced to retrieve the puck. She easily snatched it out from under one of the Rockets.
Kyla dodged a defender and zoomed toward Shay, who snapped the puck to her. Kyla zipped into the offensive zone. Tom’s words popped into her brain — exploit your valuables.
Kyla’s value was her speed. I’m faster than any rocket, she thought. I’m on fire!
She reached the goal before any other player had a chance to catch up. The Rockets goalie, though, was ready to pounce.
Just aim and shoot, Kyla told herself. You can do it.
Then she saw Mackenzie gliding up the far right of the rink. The goalie’s eyes were still focused on Kyla. She didn’t even notice Mac. Apparently she didn’t know Tom’s advice to multiply your concentration.
Kyla hesitated. She could try for a shot but risk missing. Or she could pass to Mac, who would have a better chance of a goal. And no matter what choice she made, Coach Rafferty would be watching.
With a deep breath, Kyla shot the puck to Mackenzie. She couldn’t risk missing the shot and looking like a bad team player in front of the varsity coach.
Mackenzie received the pass and immediately flicked her wrist, sending the puck flying. It slammed into the net. Score!
Kyla heard her name over the loudspeaker: “Kyla Woodson with the assist. And Mackenzie Martin for her third goal of the game! Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a hat trick!”
Kyla groaned. She’d just helped Mackenzie score her first hat trick of the season.
Back on the bench, Kyla tried not to listen as her teammates congratulated Mackenzie.
“You know what this means, Mac!” Bethany exclaimed. “You get to wear the Hat to Pizza Pizzazz tonight!”
Kyla had forgotten all about the Hat, a tradition for Walker hockey teams. Any girl who scored a hat trick — three goals in one game — wore the Hat to after-game celebrations and to the next school day. The Hat itself was a little silly — the blades of two hockey sticks poked from the top like horns and three pucks were glued to the front — but to wear it was an honor.
Since hat tricks were hard to make, it wasn’t too often the Hat made an appearance. Everyone always crowded around the Hat girl.
Tonight, Mackenzie had for sure impressed Coach Rafferty. Now she would also be the star at Pizza Pizzazz.
All thanks to my assist, Kyla thought miserably.