Page 97 of Rookie Rules
A reporter asked what went wrong.
"My timing on the second and fourth," Gabriel said. "The group had coverage errors on the others. I need to make the next save regardless."
"Did the early deflection affect your confidence?"
"It affected the score."
The answer ended the path without hostility.
Rowan watched from his stall. Luca saw approval in the captain's face and something closer to concern beneath it. Gabriel had done his professional duty. That did not mean the questions had stayed outside.
When Gabriel finished, Claire closed the scrum before a third question could begin.
The room had protected him as effectively as it knew how.
No one knew whether protection was what he needed.
Rowan waited until Vale completed his short address.
"We lost as five," the coach said. "That does not mean every mistake was equal. It means we correct them without making one man carry the whole result. Recovery tomorrow. Be ready to look at it."
He left.
Rowan spoke to Nolan first, then Mateo. He reviewed the failed clears, the bench response, the third-period spacing. Captain work moved from the room's edges inward.
When he reached Gabriel, he stood rather than taking the empty stall on the other side.
"Owen wants you on the first bus," Rowan said.
"I know."
"Video at ten tomorrow. Goalies with Vale at nine thirty."
"I know."
Rowan paused.
Luca watched from across the room while pretending to organize tape in his bag.
Say something else.
The thought was unfair. Rowan could not repair a bad game with the right sentence. Gabriel had offered no invitation. Respecting the boundary mattered.
Rowan said, "We need you Thursday."
Gabriel looked up. His face remained composed.
"You will have me."
Professional question. Professional answer.
Rowan touched the top of Gabriel's shoulder once and moved away.
The exchange should have been enough. It told Gabriel he remained the starter. It protected status, trust, and the next game.
It did not touch the man folding the same towel for the third time.
Luca zipped his bag.
