Page 138 of Rookie Rules

"The line needs a reset."

"Then reset the line tomorrow. This block is Bennett's individual work."

Vale did not raise his voice. He did not have to. The equipment assistant carried the bottles through the tunnel with careful speed.

Rowan stepped away from the gate. "Finish the block."

Luca pushed the pile of pucks toward the boards. "No."

"You are cleared."

"I was cleared before you tried to stop me. I don't want the session now."

He skated off, leaving Finn alone near the circle.

Vale watched Luca disappear into the tunnel. "My office after video."

"You already made your point."

"Apparently not. A mentor can change a development plan for hockey reasons. A captain can manage team standards. Neither title gives you ownership of a player's time because you are upset."

Rowan's pulse beat hard beneath his jaw.

"I said I would correct it."

"You admitted the pass. Then you did the same thing with a different tool."

Vale collected one of the abandoned pucks and slid it to Finn. "Take your own shots if you want them. Bennett is finished."

Finn caught the puck against his skate. His attention remained on Rowan.

"He was starting to trust the release," Finn said.

It could have meant the shot. Rowan knew it did not only mean the shot.

He left the ice before Finn could say more.

By the time Rowan reached the video suite, most players had showered. Luca occupied the workstation nearest the open entrance, tablet connected to the larger screen. He was reviewing the first failed trigger.

Rowan remained in the hallway. "The route was available."

Luca paused the clip. "Vale established that."

"My correction was wrong, and my tone was unacceptable."

"Yes."

"I am apologizing."

Luca turned in the chair. "You admitted a hockey error in front of the team. That mattered."

The measured response offered no relief.

"I should not have brought outside pressure onto the ice," Rowan said.

"That is the apology."

"It will not happen again."