Page 130 of Rookie Rules

Finn tried to finish a hit along the wall instead of containing him. Kaito spun off before contact, took the return feed in motion, and changed the puck's angle off Finn's stick. Gabriel never saw the release through the screen.

1-2.

The arena played its rivalry montage again. Kaito's face filled the screen, calm after the goal. The camera cut to Finn at the bench.

Finn stared straight ahead.

Kaito skated past on his way to the faceoff circle. "Still covering other people's mistakes?"

Luca heard because he was nearest.

Finn smiled without humor. "Still calling yours strategy?"

An official moved between them before the exchange could become more than material for the broadcast.

Luca stored the lines beside Graham's name. Older players could compress whole histories into insults the public already understood.

Rowan leaned close to Finn. "Play him, not the history."

For a second, Luca thought Rowan knew more than he admitted.

"The history is hockey," Finn said.

"Then play this shift."

Finn did.

He stopped chasing Kaito and began removing options. On the next defensive draw, he stayed above the puck while Rowan tied up the center. Kaito attempted the reverse. Finn was already there.

Northstar carried the turnover through all three zones. Luca drove the far post, forcing the defense to collapse. Finn held below the goal line until Jace arrived late in the slot, then fed him through two sticks.

Jace scored before the goalie could seal the ice.

2-2.

Finn pointed once at Jace and skated directly to the bench. He gave Kaito no glance to use.

"Better," Rowan said.

Finn sat and reached for water. His hand shook once before closing around the bottle.

Luca noticed. Rowan must have as well. Neither of them spoke.

The third period became a contest of restraint. Mateo declined a retaliatory hit and moved the puck. Gabriel froze a dangerous rebound instead of forcing a play. Finn stayed on the defensive side of Kaito even when the center invited him lower.

Luca's restraint lasted six minutes.

He entered the zone with speed and met two defenders at the tops of the circles. Rowan supported underneath. Finn widened toward the far post. Either pass would preserve possession.

The shooting lane was smaller than both.

Luca shot anyway.

The puck struck the goalie's pad and jumped directly to Finn, who buried the rebound before Kaito could close.

3-2.

Finn lifted both arms. Kaito stopped at the edge of the crease, watching him. Luca reached the celebration first, laughing as Finn caught the front of his jersey.