Page 131 of Rookie Rules

The result rewarded Luca. The replay would not.

On the bench Rowan leaned over the boards. "You had two passes."

"We scored."

"The result is not the read."

Luca knew that. He also knew the score graphic would give him an assist, turning a stubborn choice into evidence of chemistry.

"Next one," he said.

Rowan's gaze held his for a beat. "Do you understand the correction?"

"Yes."

"Say it."

Heat rose beneath Luca's collar. "Finn scored because the rebound was kind. I should have moved the puck before both defenders closed."

"Correct."

The exchange stayed professional. Luca hated how grateful he felt for even that much attention.

Kaito tied the game with three minutes left without receiving a point. He won the offensive draw, rotated high, and pulled Finn far enough from the slot for a point shot to reach traffic. The puck deflected off Mateo's skate and slipped beneath Gabriel's arm.

3-3.

Finn bent over his stick after the goal.

Kaito passed close on the way to his bench. "You still follow."

Finn straightened so fast Luca expected a penalty before play resumed.

Rowan caught the back of Finn's jersey.

"He wants the reaction," Rowan said.

"He doesn't know what I want."

"Good. Keep it that way for three minutes."

Vale sent their line out for the next offensive draw. Kaito lined up opposite Rowan. Finn took the left wing. Luca settled on the right.

"Your rookie learns fast," Kaito said as the centers lowered over their sticks.

"He works," Rowan replied.

The puck dropped. Kaito pulled it backward, but Rowan stepped through his hands and stole the clearing attempt before it reached the defenseman. Finn drove the crease. Luca moved high, taking the weak-side defender with him.

Rowan cut into the space they created and released low through Finn's screen.

The net snapped.

4-3.

Rowan had needed no pass from Luca to finish the play. Luca reached him at the glass and wrapped an arm around his shoulders with the others. Rowan's glove pressed briefly against Luca's ribs, secure and instinctive.

Then the celebration ended. Rowan released him first.