Intensity…. Feel it, fear it!!

Intensity…. Feel it, fear it!!
 
 
It begins long before I hit the ice. It begins before I get to the locker room. It begins before I leave for the arena. It starts when I wake and my eyes open to the World. My blood flows through my veins and the thoughts race through my mind. It begins to build inside me. As I arrive at the arena I am well on my way to becoming someone else. The transformation has begun and soon, soon I will be in that other mode. As I sit in the locker room putting on my equipment the transformation becomes final. The music of AC/DC or Metallica readies me for battle. My heart pumps faster, my eyes grow wide to take it all in, and my muscles flex with adrenaline. As I walk towards the ice and I take that first stride on the freshly cleaned surface I feel as though my heat will melt right through it. On the next stride I breathe in the surroundings and take in the air of the crowd. I have crossed the threshold and now it is time for battle. My body and mind continue to ready themselves for the challenge. My muscle bulge with extra fuel in anticipation of the needed burst required. My heart pounds to keep fresh blood where it is needed and I breathe deep to fill my body with oxygen. During warm ups I become fixed on the opponent. I watch them and not my team. I focus and I feel, I study and I glare into to them. I know them better then they know themselves as it is preparation that has gotten me here. The anthem is played and my adrenaline hits a new level. The puck is dropped and goes into the corner where I chase after it. Stride for powerful stride I head towards the puck and the man in front of me. The puck will be mine and through him is where I must go. My mind races to analyze every possible move he could make and it is like a game of high speed chess. He touches the puck and turns left, as expected and planned for, right into my path. I bury my shoulder into him and he goes flying. As I strike him my muscles explode with the reserved energy. He is devastated and I am surging with power. The puck is mine and now towards the goalie I go. Another defender skates toward me while his teammate still tries to find my license plate as I was the truck that ran him over!! I push harder into the ice with my skate and make a sharp turn just before we collide and slide the puck between his skates. He was lunging towards me and now is lunging towards air. He falls as his balance is now gone. I pick up the puck on the other side of him and now, now my eyes open as wide as possible. I look into the man in the mask between me and the goal I will score. I must beat him and I will beat him. I have no doubt in my mind. I look into his eyes, my eyes are throwing darts at his soul, I see fear in his eyes, I see the weakness of that fear in him. I know the goal is already scored and he is already beaten. I make one move and then another, he twists and turns to keep up but his body can't follow his wishes. I sense the time is now and I fire the puck past his glove and into the net. As the twine moves, I look into his eyes and see dejection and know the wound I have just struck is deep and the game will be ours. The puck settles on the ice behind him and I pump my fist in the air not in celebration as much as in triumph. I feel the surge building in me for the next round!!