Page 96 of Rookie Rules

"Finn was low," Rowan said.

"Sixteen seconds left."

"He was still low."

Luca's first impulse was to argue that a two-goal game with sixteen seconds left did not require a perfect read. Then he saw Gabriel at the end of the bench, watching every choice after his own had been removed.

Process mattered most when the result no longer offered reward.

"I missed him," Luca said.

Rowan's expression shifted, not quite surprise. "Yes."

The next faceoff produced nothing. The clock expired.

In the handshake of postgame routine, loss looked ordinary. Players gathered at center, lifted sticks toward the traveling supporters, and left the ice.

The room afterward was not quiet. Quiet would have admitted everyone was listening to Gabriel.

Jace complained about the officiating once, without conviction. Eli asked an equipment question that could have waited. Finn turned the music on low enough to fill the edges without demanding anyone enjoy it.

Gabriel undressed with exact care.

Pads first. Skates. Chest protector. Each piece wiped before it entered the bag, though equipment staff would handle it again. He folded his base layer instead of dropping it into the laundry bin.

Benji sat at the stall beside him despite having one across the room.

"The fourth leaked under the arm," Benji said.

Gabriel nodded. "I know."

"Ice was slow near that post."

"It was not the ice."

Benji accepted the correction. "Okay."

Then he remained seated, elbows on his knees, saying nothing.

Mateo emerged from the shower dressed in half his suit and no shirt. He stopped beside Gabriel, surveyed the folded equipment, and put a wrapped sandwich on top of the goalie's travel bag.

"Eat before the bus," he said.

"I am not hungry."

"Excellent. More sandwich remains for later."

Mateo did not ask whether Gabriel was fine. He moved to his own stall and began an argument with Jace about the empty-net goal.

Rough comfort. Presence disguised as logistics.

Luca saw the shape because he had lived inside another version of it.

Media staff held reporters outside longer than usual. Claire spoke with Gabriel near the training-room door, giving him the available options: answer two questions, issue a short team statement through her, or leave while Vale handled the postgame.

"Two," Gabriel said.

He dressed fully before the room opened. Suit jacket. Collar aligned. By the time cameras entered, no part of him looked pulled from a net after four goals.