Chapter Four

Sidney was quiet as he got geared up for the game. His team mates noticed he'd been distracted since their last game against the Capitals. Finally, Jordan Staal walked up to him a look of concern in his eyes. "Okay Sid. What's going on? You've been really quiet and somewhat distracted. Everything okay?"

Sid looked at his buddy and sighed. Shaking his head he sat down and began tying his skates. "Yeah everything's fine Staalsy. I've just got a lot on my mind right now. With trying to get this next win and advancing, and with everything that's been going on with Diana. It'll be okay, I'm just worried about her right now. I really hated leaving her alone this last time."

Jordan nodded and sat down beside his captain. He didn't speak for a moment just sat quietly pondering what he was going to say. "What's going on with Diana? We all heard that she fainted at the last game. Is she alright? It's nothing serious is it?" He turned to Sid, waiting patiently for him to finish tying his skate.

"No it's not serious really. She's fine. It's....she's pregnant Jordan." Sid sat straight up and looked him right in the eye, unsure of how he was going to respond.

Jordan's eyes widened in surprise. His mouth opened but he didn't speak. Running his hand through his hair he let out a big gust of air. "Wow, Sid. I don't know what to say. Are you guys happy about this or? It's pretty unexpected."

Sid nodded, then he smiled. "We are happy about it. I'm going to be a dad which is something I've always wanted. The thing is, Diana has been really sick the last little while. She can't seem to keep any food down. It worries me. I was really scared to leave her alone, but I had no choice. Nickie promised to check in on her while I'm gone, but I just can't get it off my mind."

He sat there with his hands in his lap, staring at the floor. Jordan patted his shoulder and told him it would all work out and things would be just fine. Then after a quick congratulations, he went to finish getting dressed. Sid sat there for a minute, hoping that Jordan was right and that everything was going to be okay. He honestly didn't know what he would do if he lost Diana. He thought losing her would make him feel incomplete, as if part of him was missing. He'd be so lost without her. 

As they stepped onto the ice, Sid tried his best to shake the thoughts of Diana from his mind. He had to focus at the task at hand. Winning their fourth and final playoff game and moving on to the next round and the next team. Once again, as in so many games before he faced one of his biggest rivals, Alex Ovechkin. This game was so important, and the Capitals were desperate. Sid knew he had to be at the top of his game tonight. 

With a silent prayer and a deep breath, he got ready for the puck drop. He won it back to Kris Letang and away they went. The game was incredibly fast, before he knew it they were up by two and the first period had just ended. He'd managed an assist on a goal by James Neal and had made some good plays to help set up another goal from Evgeni Malkin. As he sat in the locker room with his team mates, a few of them came to offer congratulations on Diana's pregnancy and offered words of support. 

Sidney listened as Head Coach Dan Bylsma talked to them about what they need to do in the second to continue their lead and have a chance at winning the game. He reached into the pocket of his jeans for his phone and checked to see if Diana had messaged him. There were two new messages. He read them quickly, one was just Diana telling him good luck, she loved him and she was cheering him on. The second was Diana again, only this time it said she was having a moment of sadness and she missed him. she apologized and said she loved him so much!

He felt a tear sting his eye as he read the second message. He quickly fired off a reply, telling her not to feel sorry. He missed her too, and he loved her more then life. He'd see her soon. His heart hurt knowing she was alone at that moment. He felt somehow he had let her down in some way. But that couldn't be helped right now. He had a game to win. As they headed out for the second period, Sid made a promise that he would not only win this game, but he was determined to win the Stanley Cup for his love. Somehow he had to find a way to win it for her, Diana. The only one who made everything worth living for.

During the second period, he was a beast. Always moving and forcing his way around everyone. No one could stop him. It was as though he'd taken on an extra form of power. He was invincible. Two more assists and another goal. He was flying all over the ice, everywhere at once it seemed. Sid didn't know how he was doing it, but he felt a huge adrenaline rush serging through his body. He didn't know exactly what it was, but it felt good. He was determined to win this. His team mates were feeding off his energy. They too were pushing themselves beyond their limitations and exploding with power and force. It caught everyone, especially the Capitals off guard. It was beautiful, it was magical.

By the third period, they were leading 5-3. They knew the Capitals were going to come back hungry and extremely desperate. The third period was high octane. Hits were happening all over the place. Everyone was restless and desperate to end this. The Capitals were ruthless, trying their best to catch up and push it into overtime. With just over a minute left in the game, the Capitals had managed to make the score 5-4 they were one goal away from overtime and saving themselves from elimination. 

Chris Kunitz came up the left with Sid flying up the middle into the Capitals end. James Neal flanked Sid on the right. Chris had the puck and protected it against the boards waiting for Sid or James to get into position in front of the net. Sid tapped his stick and yelled for Chris to pass it. He did and Sid sent it wailing toward the net. Blocked by a Capital, James got the rebound and shot it towards Sid. Once again he found the puck with his stick and slammed it toward the net. The goaltender went down as the puck slid inbetween his legs and in. 40 seconds later, the game was over. 

The team erupted with cheers, all of them piling onto the ice and hugging each other as the Capitals left the ice, their heads hung in defeat. They'd done it. The Penguins had defeated the capitals and were advancing to the second round of the playoffs. A sweep of the series. Sidney managed to escape the grasp of his team mates and found the camera next to the rink. Knowing Diana was watching, he looked right into the camera and said "This is for you baby girl! I love you."