The championship game was only hours away. The {Favorite Team}, {First Name or Nickname}'s favorite team, were just one game away from being the champs.

{First Name or Nickname} had already invited {Friend(s)} to watch the game on television with him. All that was left to do was check the snacks and, for the fourth time today, study the team line-ups.

Unknown to {First Name or Nickname}, the {Favorite Team} were in trouble. The coach had just learned that the star goalie had a sprained ankle and could not play tonight. The team needed another goalie.

"What about that kid, {First Name or Nickname} so-and-so, who you just signed," the coach asked the team's general manager.

"You mean that kid who lives in {Hometown}?" replied the G.M. "He's a little young and inexperienced!"

"Call him," replied the coach, "and get him here any way you can, even if you have to rent a private jet. All we need is a back-up in case of injury. He'll just sit on the bench."

The general manager, a bit nervous about tonight's game, still couldn't remember the goalie's last name. "Was it Leroux, Lamante, {Last Name}? Yes, {Last Name}, I think that was it," the G.M. said and he quickly looked through the {Hometown} phone book for the number.

For {First Name or Nickname}, time was moving slowly. When the phone rang, {First Name or Nickname} answered.

"Hi," said the G.M. "I know this is unusual, {First Name or Nickname}, but we have a game tonight and we need you to play. I'm sending someone to pick you up."

"Sure," {First Name or Nickname} said somewhat reluctantly, knowing he would miss the big game on television. "But I'd like to bring along {Friend(s)}."

"No problem," replied the G.M.

{First Name or Nickname} quickly gathered his hockey gear and waited to be picked up.

In no time an official hockey-looking guy rang the door bell. "Is {First Name or Nickname} here?" he asked.

"Right here," {First Name or Nickname} replied.

"Where?" said the hockey guy looking around the room.

"Right here," said {First Name or Nickname} again.

"But! But! You look like you're only {Age} years old," replied the surprised official. "Are you that good of a goalie?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty good," {First Name or Nickname} replied.

"Where are we going?" {First Name or Nickname} asked as they jumped into a limousine.

"To the Home arena of the {Favorite Team}," replied the hockey-type guy. "The game is sold out. There will be thousands of people at the arena and another 10 million watching on television."

"Sure, 10 million watching and me playing at the Home of the {Favorite Team}! Does he really think I believe him?" {First Name or Nickname} thought to himself.

When they finally arrived at the arena, and {First Name or Nickname} saw all the fans rushing into the building, he didn't know what to think.

"Follow me," said the hockey-type guy. "And don't sign any autographs - we haven't got enough time."

{First Name or Nickname} followed, but now he was nervous. {Friend(s)} looked nervous too.

"Here's the kid," the hockey-type guy said to the coach when they reached the dressing room.

"Where?" asked the coach.

"Right here," he replied, pointing at {First Name or Nickname}.

The coach looked down at {First Name or Nickname}. "You can't be serious?" the coach asked.

The coach looked at {First Name or Nickname} again. "Did the G.M. call you?" he asked.

"Yes," replied {First Name or Nickname}.

"You must be the best young goalie in the whole world," the coach said in amazement.

"Yeah, I'm pretty good," {First Name or Nickname} replied.

{First Name or Nickname} quickly put on his hockey gear and went out with the team for the pregame warmup. As soon as the coach saw {First Name or Nickname} on the ice he knew a mistake had been made. {First Name or Nickname} was pretty good, but no {Age}-year-old had ever played goalie in this league. "It's lucky that I can just keep the kid on the bench," the coach thought to himself.

The game was incredibly exciting. There were hard hits, scoring chances galore, end to end action and great saves. As the third period wound down, the score was tied 2-2.

{First Name or Nickname} was happy. These were the best seats he had ever had to watch his favorite team.

The game ended in a flurry with both goalies making incredible saves. Overtime was next.

In the dressing room some of the {Favorite Team} started to complain about their stomachs. One by one, they went into the trainer's room. The flu bug had hit the team!

{Friend(s)} whispered to {First Name or Nickname}. "You may have to play."

"Awesome," replied {First Name or Nickname}.

Winning seemed impossible. With most of the players sick, the team was wearing down. And then it happened! The goalie skated over to the bench and came off the ice.

"Get another goalie on the ice," the referee yelled to the coach.

The coach looked down the bench. "{First Name or Nickname} - just how good are you?" he asked.

"I'm pretty good," {First Name or Nickname} replied.

"Out you go," said the coach. "Do your best."

{First Name or Nickname} was a pretty good goalie but these players shot the puck harder than anyone he had ever played against. The first shot whizzed by the net, missing by inches. {First Name or Nickname} never saw it.

The second shot hit him in the glove and stayed there. The crowd roared in approval but {First Name or Nickname} never saw the puck either.

{First Name or Nickname}'s team played even harder. With a rookie goalie in the net, they knew they had to score soon to win. Then it happened! {First Name or Nickname}'s team got caught up the ice. The other team had a breakaway!

The player skated in and blasted a shot - high to the blocker side. {First Name or Nickname} flicked out his blocker and made the greatest save of his life. The shot glanced off the glove, into the corner, and around the boards.

One of the {Favorite Team} took the puck up the ice and scored. They had won in overtime!
{First Name or Nickname} was interviewed on television. He only remembered answering one question.

"Yeah, I'm pretty good," he said.

{First Name or Nickname}'s Hockey Statistics
for this year:

_________________ Team
_________________ Coach's Name
_________________ Goals scored
_________________ Assists
_________________ Penalties
_________________ Trophies won
_________________ Best play of the year