Another Furious Fiction entry. This one was for January and had to do with First Day on the Job.

• Each story had to take place on a character’s FIRST DAY OF A NEW JOB.
• Each story had to include something being stolen.
• Each story had to include the words TRIP, TRIANGLE and TSUNAMI.

All in 500 words or under. Always a challenge, but I frequently love the shit out of it. This one was no exception, and was inspired by watching the new PWHL over in North America. I’ve always been a fan of the inclusivity of sport and there are notable examples of how the women’s version of the game is as good as, or better, than the men’s. Basketball, for one, is WAY better when watching the women vs the men. For starters, they actually play defense

Hockey though, was usually something I’d compare the women’s Olympic/Professional to the men’s NCAA or minor league like AHL or ECHL or so. Still… I was happily surprised when watching that they’re every bit as good as the college-level men’s game, and it was highly-enjoyable. Everybody always talks about the fights when they talk about watching professional hockey, and since this is basically everything BUT those stupid fights, this is hockey at its purest.

But yeah, I was inspired, and I hope someday something like this actually does happen here in Oz. That would fkn rock.

**

Twenty-six years after her mum first took the ice for Toronto on New Year’s Day 2024, Abby was lacing up her skates for her home city of Brisbane, and her chest swelled with pride. Then she threw up. They’d all think it was goalie’s nerves, and that was fine with Abby. No one needed to know anything else, not yet.

As her teammates bounced nervously around her, she waited to step into the announcer’s spotlight. Brisbane’s GM had kept it secret who had goaltending duties until the last minute, so when Abby was called as the starter the fifteen-thousand strong crowd gave a collective roar that washed over her like a tsunami.

It continued through warm-ups and it solidified Abby’s nerves, and her guts too. Until she saw him skate out to the opening face-off, that is. Melbourne’s best player, sure, but he was more than that. Mick’s mums were close friends with Abby’s mums after the two North Americans celebrated their first pro season by a trip to fall in love with the Gold Coast, and two Aussies.

Her nausea passed the moment the puck dropped even though Melbourne’s famous speed showed and she faced early shots. Mick wouldn’t treat her differently, never had. She’d face the best of the misogynists though. They didn’t believe she belonged, thought she was a publicity stunt. Two and a half periods and 33 saves proved different.

Melbourne capitalised on their extra man advantages but Brisbane had answered to make it 2-2. The final minutes ticked down and her guts tightened again. Abby had earned her spot here but more important to her was earning the win. And not throwing up in her mask.

Then a chance for Brisbane and they pounded it home. The crowd went insane as the home team took the lead 3-2. One minute left and Melbourne’s goalie left as Mick jumped out as the extra attacker. Brisbane’s defense sat back in a cautious triangle but the puck hit a bump in the ice and bounced right to Mick’s stick. He burst out and was all alone, just he and Abby staring each other down.

It was too fast for her to think. His best move to fake her out worked but when he’d pulled the puck back to his forehand to fire it high into the corner, she’d recovered and her glove snatched it from the air. Mick’s arms were raised in celebration but his gorgeous smile faded as he realised he’d been robbed.

The resulting cheer nearly burst the arena open, and it lasted until the final seconds ticked away and Abby raised her stick in triumph. Her first day on the job had gone pretty damn well even through the nausea. Despite that it wasn’t the morning, she knew what it meant too. For her life, her body, her career.

It also meant that she and Mick had a lot more to talk about than her save on his breakaway. Together they’d face a tough decision.