A Beauty

"You were born to be hockey players, every one of you. You were meant to be here, tonight." Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell), Miracle (2004).

There comes a time, even in team sports, where it's all you. You were put in the game, in that situation, in that tournament, to do one thing. Do it, and the team wins. Let the opponent do their job, you don't win.

Everything counts. The up downs that made you puke. The wind sprints that made you dizzy. The mind-numbing drills, the injuries and the times when you skated off the ice bruised, bleeding... Got a drink, got back in the crease and invited more. And, more. And more.

Last night Madeline S. "Maddie" Rooney, all 5' 5" of her, stood between Canada and the Gold medal. Teammate Jocelyn Lamoureux-Davidson had scored in that most horrible of overtime periods - the Shootout. Now, it was up to Maddie.

She was meant to be there, on that ice, in that crease, wearing the sweater of her country.

It was a beauty, goalie.