Gemotions

He stared at the hockey stick in his hands, bewildered. He was a defenseman, always had been. Now, the coach wanted him at center. It was utterly baffling. He felt a weird pressure in his chest, making it hard to breathe. The cold air of the rink suddenly felt sharper, crisper.

His first shift was a blur. He was everywhere, nowhere, trying to anticipate, to react. He found himself thinking faster than ever before. During a breakaway, he deked the goalie and scored.

He whooped, a raw, primal sound that echoed around the arena.