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Matthew decided during his cross-country visits, he should visit the rinks and observe how the NHL hockey teams are holding up during the pre-season games. His country hasn't been doing well in the NHL for years with Stanley Cup wins—the last Canadian team that won a Stanley Cup was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Boy did he get drunk that night and texted Alfred a lot of profanities and insulted him and his teams.
They didn't talk for a while after that.
His country watched as the Oilers battled the Panthers in Florida and almost won but lost 1-2. Canada decided to drink the loss away partly forgetting he had dinner that evening and Alfred was quite smug at the family dinner, Arthur and Francis watched the boys argue.
“You absolute ass know that there was one hundred percent of some goalie interference on your team,” Matthew who was wine-drunk yelled at Alfred over dinner. His wine glass was held softly in one hand and a fork in the other. The tongs of the utensil were pointed at his brother, while he was chowing on the rare steak.
“Oh, that was some balls to say when you know for a fact that that offside call was a fucking cheap trick and should have counted it was a quarter inch off the line.” Alfred who was also drunk but on beer instead, put both hands on the table and stood up, the food left forgotten.
Matthews eyes darkened as he took another sip of his drink and spoke. “c'est juste des conneries et tu sais qu'un imbécile comme toi aurait recours à rejeter un but hors-jeu simplement parce que ça profiterait à toi et à ton équipe même si ton équipe a gagné la Coupe Stanley.”
“You know I don't speak French, dumbass.” Alfred picked up his drink and was about to throw it at Matthew before Francis interrupted the twins.
“Ok, Arthur and I spoke and decided that hockey should be banned from our Family dinners.”
“Maybe we should skip dinners during the playoffs.” Arthur smiled as he sipped on his tea.
Matthew turned towards his parental figures, still visibly angry holding a bread roll. “No shit Sherlock.” before throwing it at his brother.
Which brings us to October
Matthew was dressed in an all-black suit the only piece of the outfit that wasn't black was his tie which was striped in blue and orange the Oilers colours.
Standing at the rink, he watched the Oilers practice. Matthew looked star-struck. He loved the team in fact he loved all the hockey teams in his country. A downside is he doesn't know who to cheer for when the Canadian teams verse each other. Practice finished and he saw the team captain Connor McDavid give a speech at the end telling the team he was proud of them no matter the results. Connor finished his speech and Kris, their coach, directed the attention towards himself.
“Team, as you may have noticed while practicing, we have a visitor with us this evening.”
The coach looked up at Canada and smiled at him. When the team looked up Canada could hear some gasps.
“Matthew Williams, also known as Canada watched us here today during practice which is closed to the public. He's here to talk with you individually and help boost team morale.”
Matthew smiled while walking down the arena steps and onto the ice rink. his breath hitched as he saw his favourite players up close in person (Every hockey player in the Canadian NHL is his favourite player) Matthew thought he might die of being star-struck.
He cleared his throat and started with his well-rehearsed greeting, “Hello, Oilers I wanted to congratulate you on getting to the Stanley Cup finals and the final game you gave the Panthers an amazing challenge I'm very proud of you as a team.”
“Thank you sir that’s very kind of you to say I hope we can continue to make you proud every day,” Connor spoke up among them.
‘Oh my god Connor Mcdavid spoke to me? I can’t believe he called me sir!’ Matthew thought to himself
“Connor McDavid, is it?” Matthew smiled as he saw him. “You’re an amazing player! You're also the fastest skater in the League.”
“Ah yes sir.” Connor nodded his cheeks reddened softley from the praise.
“Skinner some of those saves you pulled with the pucks were amazing, Hyman Draistile no one could stop you at all. This whole team was amazing. I know you could win the Stanley next year.” Matthew told the team.
After some meet-and-greets, the team was more positive. The team was dismissed for showers and getting changed. Matthew watched the team leave, and he turned to Kris.
“They haven't been at their best since the loss. When I was hired after they fired the last coach, I tried my hardest to make them great, and they improved drastically. That's how we got them to the finals, but I'm unsure how to help them now.” Kris sighed as he scratched his head.
Matthew looked at him and thought for a minute before replying.
“I think the best route is to bring up their accomplishments. They only lost by one point and fought hard till the last second. Edmonton loves them and will continue to love the team. When the autograph sessions happen every year people look up 12 hours ahead just to get their autograph. Busses in the city say ‘Let's go Oilers’ signs are posted at houses, stores and schools showing love to the team and that love has been there even when the Oilers weren't qualifying for the playoffs.”
“Thank you for showing up today Canada you are someone who means a lot to us citizens and please continue to support us. I think it'll mean a lot if you talk with Connor he's been taking this loss hard and seems to be taking this burden on his shoulders.” Kris looked into Matthew's eyes and he saw the pain in Kris through the action.
“Of course I will.” Matthew smiled back at him. “It hurts me when I see you guys suffering.”
Matthew walked to the player's exit. his hands in his pockets he felt very stuffy in the suit like he was overdressed for the occasion. He saw the players leaving giving a wave to Corey Perry who was now in his street clothes. Matthew decided to speak up.
“Hey Perry, I loved your plays in the game. Have the Oilers been treating you well?”
“Thank you, Mr. Canada, and yes, don't worry. They have been nothing but kind to me, sir. I was happy to be a part of the finals, especially almost winning the cup. I was honoured when they resigned me again.” Perry spoke as he avoided looking Matthew in the eyes.
“I’m sure it was an amazing feeling. I do have a question for you Is Mcdavid still here? I meant to talk with him one-on-one.”
“Ah yes, he is still in the change room. I was the only one left in there with him.” Corey pointed into the room, and Matthew looked in. He saw Connor sitting on the bench in his street clothes.
“Hello McDavid,” Canada spoke softly to gain the others’ attention. He stood in the doorway as he looked at the other male.
Connor looked up shuffled his feet and put his phone away. “Hello, sir.”
“Hello McDavid, I’ve meant to talk to you as a team captain. You've been the captain of this team since you were 19 years old the youngest to be named permanent captain of a team in the NHL, that must be a lot of stress on you.”
“It is sir, but I try not to let it get to me, we have been playing like garbage this pre-season. It's my fault too since I can't get the team to be a union and flow.”
“You know it's not your fault; you're just the captain. Leading a team is everyone's duty, not just yours. Draisaitl has been with you as well, and you know he loves the team just as much as you do.
“Yes sir, I understand that but all these losses still fall on my shoulders as captain.” Connor sighed.
“It's still early in the season, but I know you can pull your team together. You guys have been through a lot together. You did well in the playoffs; you were so close to winning. I know you can win, and you're an amazing captain. Please believe me, you have a strong team.”
“Okay Sir, I will try to beat them for you.” Connor smiled as he held out his hand to Matthew.
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The next game was against the Flyers they were on the ice the sounds scraping. McDavid was fighting for each goal.
Philadelphia was up ahead by 2 and the goal was taken back because of goalie interference, which was ridiculous since the opposition pushed him into the line. McDavid felt like he was fighting 2 teams the referees and the Flyers. How was he supposed to win when the other team could push a puck into the goal passed Skinner's pad and have that goal count when Hyman wasn't able to even let a foot into the blue without being called for goalie interference?
they continued to fight and just when they felt like they might lose another game they made a goal. McDavid couldn't be prouder of his team. They threw the puck into the net, and it bounced out of the net but Henrique threw the puck back in now they got their goal.
The team fought more against the Flyers they tried to be in sync like they were in the finals. Nothing could stop them back then, they had only lost by one point.
Just when Connor was about to let things get to him he remembered what Canada had told him how he had believed in the north division and he believed in the oilers.
That was when Connor saw Brown hit the puck into the Flyers' Goal and now the Oilers were Tied 2-2
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Connor watched the celebration happen but there's not a lot of time before they are back to fighting their current enemy. He saw the puck fly from person to person before it reached the Flyers’ side of the ice.
Watching as their goalie Ersson sent the puck to fly along the ice back onto the Oilers’ side and the Flyers scored again. McDavid saw Skinner look angry and himself for letting them score a goal.
When trying to make up for the lass McDavid finds himself with the puck again and he fights off the men trying to take it from him. Curses are thrown at each other but he is then able to throw the puck to Bouchard and he throws it into the opposition's net
They are now 3-3
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Hope fills McDavid once more as his teammates come to give hugs and cheer. They’re heading into overtime
They are 50 seconds into overtime and Conner lets himself grab the puck. He tries to score again but it bounces out he passes to Leon Draisaitl who catches the puck and scores.
Hearing the buzzer that signifies the win and thus the end of the game relief fills Connor.
They hug and gather with each other the tears slightly shed over the string of losses that have led to this win. They shake hands with the flyers still relishing in the win.
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When Connor got home that night he sat on his bed and looked up to his ceiling. He smiled and felt the accomplishments run over himself, he basked in the win.
Letting himself accept the win of the day after their string of losses was easy but it also made him question his ability, as long as he keeps up these wins. They have a habit of losing a bunch more games after a win, but he felt like he needed this more than anyone.
Checking his phone he looks over the Oilers’ Twitter looking at the posts and edits they make of each score he sees that he is less alone.
He’s grateful to Canada for visiting him in the arena that day. It shows that someone is watching over him. He hears a chime and the notification crosses his screen he sees that he got a text message.
Hey McDavid, I saw your game today, It's Matthew Williams. (Canada) You did well and I’m Proud of You and the team for getting that win. I’m proud no matter what happens.
Connor teared up slightly as he responded to Canada
Thank you, sir. It makes me happy knowing you are watching.
Connor had slept well that night.
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Matthew looked at the text he received and smiled he would protect all Canadian NHL players and the North District teams. Alfred can suck it.
Matthew sent the following text to Alfred
2 million a Canadian team will win the Stanley Cup in 2025. I’m watching over them and encouraging them so they'll be nightmare fuel to your American teams. Tell the Panthers to watch out.