Page 52 of Man Advantage

Halsey was in Ford’s net. Technically, it wasn’t Ford’s net, but it had still been his every day for four years.

“You’re not cleared to be down here,” Theo said.

“I’m not getting on the ice.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I do.”

Theo stared down at him. Ford stared back. Eventually, Theo left.

Deluca had the skaters working a rush drill from center. Halsey took the first two clean. On the third, he committed early to Novo and left half the net for Riggs coming late. The puck hit the mesh before Halsey finished sliding.

Ford leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

The next rush came from the other side. Halsey read the pass this time, but his right skate drifted outside the post before the puck moved. Cole saw the opening and put the shot low past his blocker.

Halsey slapped the puck out of the net. Cole circled behind him and said something Ford couldn’t hear. The kid nodded once.

They reset.

Halsey’s skate drifted again.

“Hold the post,” Ford called.

The whole drill stopped.

Deluca turned at the blue line. Half the skaters did too, glad for any reason to breathe. Halsey pushed his mask up.

“I am holding it.”

“You’re opening before the pass. Keep the right skate inside your shoulder and make Englund beat you over the pad.”

Halsey looked down at his skate.

“Again,” Deluca said.

Cole took the puck back to center. The same three came through with Novo carrying. Halsey stayed tight to the post. When the pass went across, he arrived square and took Cole’s shot off the center of his chest.

“There,” Ford said.

Halsey sent the rebound to the corner and reset before anybody told him to.

Ford felt the save low in his body, the same clean relief he got when a puck hit him where he expected it. Then Halsey settled back into Ford’s crease, and the relief soured before Ford could hold on to it.

Deluca skated over while the assistants reset the drill. He stopped on the other side of the boards and looked from Ford to Halsey.

“Careful, Callahan. Keep that up, and I’ll save you a spot behind the bench.”

Ford leaned back against the boards. “Is that supposed to make me stop?”

Deluca smiled. “Our goalie coach has been trying to fix that post since camp. Halsey argues with him. You point it out, the kid resets.”

“He knows I’m right.”

“That’s never stopped him from arguing before.” Deluca nodded toward the crease. “I’m serious. You’re good with him. Someday, Callahan. Something to think about.”

The lightness went out of Ford before he could stop it. “I’m not done.”