#ice arena wales
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BEN BOWNS
CARDIFF DEVILS GOALTENDER
#ben bowns#cardiff devils#wales#ice hockey#british ice hockey league#ccm#goaltender#puck#cymru#cymraeg#lets go devils#taz#666#ice arena wales#Vindico Arena#cardiff bay#eihl#elite ice hockey league
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Henry and Alex both fall for Pokemon coordinator male reader that use a Primarina
Alex and Henry didn't want to be here. They certainly didn't want to be here and be next to each other in the press box, but it was their duty to their families, so they sucked it up.
Prince of Wales Henry George Edward James Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor. And first son Alexander Claremont Diaz were the special guests in today's Pokemon contest. They were supposed to watch, observe, and cheer for whoever one the whole event. Henry liked watching Pokemon contests. They were better than showcases and much more elegant than battles. Alex, on the other hand, preferred battles, but he knew that the battling part came later on, so he was bored out of his mind. They both were.
They tried not to hide how dreadfully boring all the contestants and their performances were as they watched the master of ceremonies try to hype the energy of the crowd, but it wasn't working for Alex or Henry. That is until a young man came on next.
"And now… all the way from (insert place you live here) it's Y/N, L/N!"
Alex and Henry watched as a young man came into the center of the stage as they were both finally focusing on something else other than their boredom. The young man took out a Pokemon and flashed an innocent smile as he threw it up into the air. "Primarina, go get 'em!'" In a flash of light a Pokemon that resembles a cross between a sea lion and a mermaid. Most of its body is white, but it has a long, blue, fish-like tail. It has a long snout with a round, pink nose, bright blue eyes with long white eyelashes, and long light blue hair trailing off the back of its head.
"Use sing!" He commanded as Henry and Alex and the crowd watched as the mermaid-like Pokemon sang a wonderful song that was captivating and beautiful as the young coordinator commanded his Pokemon to switch to a move called Sparkling Aria as it created a balloon out of water until it expanded and grew to giant size. Everyone watched as it floated towards the ceiling as both boys wondered what he planned to do with it.
"Ice beam!" Primarina opened its mouth as it let out a stream of light blue energy and the bubble of water was frozen solid. The crowd oohed and ahhed at the sparkles the ice created. "Now use Aqua Jet!" The Pokemon jumped high as it shot like a rocket towards the ice bubble in a stream of water over its body as it broke through and shattered the bubble until the pieces broke off and ended up hitting each other, creating a wave of sparkles around the arena. Henry and Alex were simply enchanted by his performance as they joined the crowd in cheering for the young man.
After he left, the results of who was making it to the second round were in, and both young men were glad to see the trainer with the Primarina had made it. When it was all said and done, Alex and Henry went to the center of the stage to present the ribbon to the winner of today's contest. Y/N L/N. "Congratulations, Y/N. Your performance was simply divine." Henry smiled.
"Yeah, bro. I mean dude. You killed it at the end with that sick battle combo your Chikorita used." Alex said.
Y/N blushed and bowed. "It's an honor to meet you both and thank you." He smiled at them and they smiled back at him.
#x male reader#male reader insert#male x male#alex claremont diaz#henry fox mountchristen windsor#rwrb movie#pokemon#coordinator reader#alex x henry#Alex x Henry x male reader#Pokemom mashup#red white and royal blue
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FITFWT23: FASHION
EUROPE
Via LWTHQS
29 Aug - Barclays Arena, HAMBURG: [CDLP tank] [Saul Nash pants]
31 Aug - Royal Arena, COPENHAGEN: [Casablanca Casa t-shirt]
1 Sep - Spektrum, OSLO: [Nike shoes] [Commes des Garçons x Lacoste polo] [Adidas jacket]
2 Sep - Hovet, STOCKHOLM: [Stone Island t-shirt], [Stone Island pants], [Salomon shoes]
4 Sep - Ice Hall, HELSINKI: [Pleasures x Sonic Youth jersey]
5 Sep - Saku Arena, TAILLINN: [1017 ALYX 9SM t-shirt] [Nike Air Max shoes] [Nike Windrunner fleece hoodie] [Nike joggers] [Nike trainers]
7 Sep - Arena Riga, RIGA: [Champion t-shirt] [Supreme x Lacoste track suit]
8 Sep - Zalgiris Arena, KAUNAS: [Neill Barrett t-shirt] [Neil Barrett IG post and IG story] [Sergio Tacchini tracksuit]
10 Sep - Tauron Arena, KRAKOW: [VTMNTS t-shirt] [Stone Island hoodie]
11 Sep - Atlas Arena, ŁÓDŹ: [Leones The Band tank top] [Converse high tops] [CP Company pants] [424 Logo hat] [Salomon shoes] [Mastermind hoodie]
13 Sep - Wiener Stadhalle D, VIENNA: [CP Company pants] [Palace hat]
14 Sep - Stozice Arena, LJUBLJANA: [Wales Bonner tank top]
15 Sep - Budapest Arena, BUDAPEST: [Stone Island cap] [Stone Island pants]
17 Sep - Arenele Romane, BUCHAREST: [Burberry t-shirt] [Burberry cap]
18 Sep - Arena Armeets, SOFIA: [black tank top] [Nike pants]
20 Sep - Petras Theater, ATHENS: [VTMNTS t-shirt] [Sunflower Mike shorts]
1 Oct - Bilbao Arena Miribilla, BILBAO (VIZCAYA): [Calvin Klein white tank top] [North Face pants] [Nike shoes] [Adidas Y 3 track pants] [Han Kjøbenhavn hoodie]
3 Oct - Altice Arena, LISBON: [CP Company graphic t-shirt] [CP Company pants] [Asics shoes] [Palace hoodie]
5 Oct - Wizink Center, MADRID: [Fred Perry x Pleasures t-shirt]
6 Oct - Palau Sant Jordi, BARCELONA: [Moncler t-shirt] [Customized face all over Hawaiian shirt]
8 Oct - Pala Alpitur, TURIN: [Sunspel beige tank top] [Stone Island pants] [Y/Project hat] [Adidas x Wales Bonner sweater and pants]
9 Oct - Unipol Arena, BOLOGNA: [Nanushka tank top] [Stone Island pants]
11 Oct - Rockhal, ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE: [Stone Island t-shirt]
12 Oct - Sportspaleis, ANTWERP: [Wales Bonner jacket] [1017 Alyx 9SM Studio bomber jacket]
14 Oct - Accor Arena, PARIS: [Balmain polo shirt]
15 Oct - Ziggo Dome, AMSTERDAM: [Givenchy tank top] [CP Company pants]
17 Oct - Lanxess Arena, COLOGNE: [Ralph Lauren polo shirt]
19 Oct - O2 Arena, PRAGUE: [Junya Watanabe t-shirt] [Nike pants]
20 Oct - Mercedes Benz Arena, BERLIN: [Kith black tank top] [Stone Island track pants] [Axel Arigato shoes] [Fred Perry t-shirt] [Alyx Studio hoodie]
22 Oct - Olympiahalle, MUNICH: [Burberry polo shirt]
23 Oct - Hallenstadion, ZURICH: [Stone Island t-shirt] [Stone Island trousers] [Axel Arigato shoes]
8 Nov - 3Arena, DUBLIN: [CDLP tank] [Reebok sweatshirt] [Saul Nash pants] [Nike mock neck top] [1017 Alyx 9SM jacket] [Vetements cap] [Thames MMXX top]
10 Nov - Utilita Arena, SHEFFIELD: [Givenchy logo tank top] [CP company pants] [Aimé Leon Doré hoodie] [Palace trousers]
11 Nov - AO Arena, MANCHESTER: [Aimé Leon Dore jacket] [Nike shoes]
12 Nov - Ovo Hydro, GLASGOW: [Palace Skateboards shirt] [Stone Island pants]
14 Nov - Brighton Center, BRIGHTON: [Farragamo polo]
15 Nov - International Arena, CARDIFF: [Casablanca Paris top]
17 Nov - The O2, LONDON: [Saul Nash vest] [Saul Nash track pants] [Comme Des Garçons shirt]
18 Nov - Resorts World Arena, BIRMINGHAM: [Burberry t-shirt] [Lacoste top]
23 Nov - Camden Roundhouse, Rolling Stone UK Awards, LONDON: [Neil Barrett mesh jacket] [black vest] [Hugo pants] [Grenson leather shoes]
Photo via lbfcult
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HARTFORD WOLF PACK MAKE FINAL CUTS
By: Gerry Cantlon, HowlingsHARTFORD, CT - The Hartford Wolf Pack made the tough decisions and made tough cuts, sending defenseman Seth Barton, center Matej Pekar, and forward Cristiano DiGiacinto to their ECHL affiliates, the Cincinnati Cyclones.Two days ago, Pack Head Coach Kris Knoblauch had high praise for Barton while Pekar and DiGiacinto signed fan autographs at Trinity College at the Koepppel Community Center after the first period.19-year-old Maxim Barbashev, still junior eligible and cut loose from his Amateur Try-Out (ATO) deal, heads back to the QMJHL Shawinigan Cataractes. Goalie Brad Arvanitis was released from his Professional Try-Out (PTO) deal and heads to the Maine Mariners (ECHL), who open their camp along with the rest of the ECHL.Fellow 19-year-old Adam Sykora stays here because he is European and played last year in a pro league in Slovakia.These moves leave the Wolf Pack with 15 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goalies, making 25 players.There was a chance that one to three changes could happen on Monday by either trade, release, or via the waiver wire, as the Rangers had to hand in their final roster by 5 p.m. as per CBA regulations to start the NHL season.CALGARY ARENA
A long-awaited plan was finalized for an $890M new arena development project along with mixed-use development for the Calgary Flames is now formally set after the team, the City of Calgary, and the province of Alberta completed a formal agreement.They are set to break ground next year with a projected opening by 2026 or 2027. The project will include the new arena of about 18,000-plus seats in downtown Calgary and will include a culture and entertainment district, including a public plaza, community ice rink, restaurants, retail, and residences.The project will entail the replacement of the Flames’ current home, the Scotiabank Saddledome. The building is known for its iconic saddle-shaped roof and role in the 1988 Winter Olympics.The Saddledome replaced the Calgary Corral, which was their first home when they relocated from Atlanta and the WHA Calgary Cowboys.The Saddledome is now 40 years old and no longer meets current NHL standards. It will be demolished once the new arena is completed.The new arena will house the NHL Flames, AHL Wranglers, WHL Hitmen, CFL Stampeders, and NLL Calgary Roughnecks.The City of Calgary will contribute $390 million toward the project, the province will chip in $240 million, and the Flames ownership, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) will pay $260 million.The Flames will commit to the city on a 35-year lease as part of the deal.NOTES:Only one player, Drew Worrad, who is dealing with a minor undisclosed injury, is unavailable a week before he will probably be sent to Cincinnati to get game reps.Ex-Pack’s Josh Wesley and Brandon Cutler were assigned to the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) by the Colorado Eagles (AHL).Ex-Pack Simon Denis announced his retirement from hockey. He becomes the sixth ex-Pack to retire this off-season.Ex-Pack Brandon Alderson signs with the Cardiff Devils (Wales-EIHL).UCONN opened their season on the road with a non-conference meeting with Colgate University Saturday night, winning 4-2 over the Red Raiders, who ex-Pack Mike Harder coaches.On Sunday afternoon, ended in a 3-3 tie with Ethan Haider in net and sophomore Matt Wood scoring one of their three goals.On Saturday night, before an SRO crowd, the defending national champion Quinnipiac University Bobcats (ECACHL) battled a non-conference foe, the loaded Boston College Eagles, at the M&T Bank Arena. The Bobcats received a sterling performance in goal from Vinny Duplessis (BU grad transfer) but still lost the game 2-1 with nine seconds left in overtime.Easton Armstrong, the youngest son of Wolf Pack great Derek Armstrong, had a hat trick, including the 7-6 game-winner in overtime, in an early season win for the Wenatchee (WA) Wild (WHL) win over Kamloops Blazers, Pack goalie Dylan Garand’s old junior team.HARTFORD WOLF PACKHOWLINGS
Read the full article
#AHL#AmericanHockeyLeague#ArtemAnisimov#BostonCollegeEagles#CalgaryWranglers#CardiffDevils#ColoradoEagles#HartfordWolfPack#MikeHarder#NationalHockeyLeague#NHL#QuinnipiacUniversity#QuinnipiacUniversityBobcats#ScotiabankSaddledome#XLCenter
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On this date in music history….
April 27th
2013-A blue plaque was unveiled at Swansea railway station, Wales, honouring Peter Ham who co-wrote 'Without You', a hit for both Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. Ham who was a member of Badfinger were signed to The Beatles Apple Records label, (and enjoyed their biggest hit in 1970 with a Paul McCartney penned, 'Come And Get It'. Ham took his own life in 1975 at the age of 27.
2009 - Aerosmith
Aerosmith were to hold a free concert in Hawaii to placate angry fans who brought a legal case against them. Fans filed a class action case, which claimed the band had cancelled a sold-out show in Maui two years ago, leaving hundreds of fans out of pocket in favour of a bigger gig in Chicago. Lawyers for the would-be concert-goers said Aerosmith had now agreed to put on a new show, and would pay all expenses. Everyone who bought a ticket to the original concert would receive a free ticket.
1981 - Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr married actress and one time 'Bond girl' Barbara Bach. The pair met while filming the movie, Caveman, with Dennis Quaid and Shelley Long. In attendance at the wedding were George Harrison and Paul McCartney.
1976 - David Bowie
Customs officers on a train at the Russian/Polish Border detained David Bowie, after Nazi books and mementoes were found in his luggage. Bowie claimed that the material was being used for research on a movie project about Nazi propaganda leader Joseph Paul Goebbels.
1974 - Bruce Springsteen
A free afternoon event was held in the parking lot of the University of Connecticut, Ice Hockey Arena in Storrs. The four acts that appeared, Aerosmith Bruce Springsteen, Fairport Convention and Fat Back. Springsteen then went on to play another gig that evening at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.
1971 - The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead appeared at the Fillmore East in New York City. The Beach Boys also appeared on stage with the Dead, who together performed a short set of Beach Boys songs.
1969 - Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd appeared at Mothers Club in Erdington, Birmingham, England. Radio 1 DJ John Peel reviewed the gig as '...sounding like dying galaxies lost in sheer corridors of time and space'. Recordings from this show were included in the group’s 1969 album Ummagumma.
1967 - Sandie Shaw
Sandie Shaw was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Puppet On A String', her third UK No.1 and the Eurovision Song Contest winner of 1967.
1963 - Little Peggy March
Little Peggy March started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'I Will Follow Him'. At 15 years, 1 month and 13 days old, Little Peggy March became the youngest female singer to have a US No.1 record.
1957 - Elvis Presley
In a rare appearance outside the United States, Elvis Presley performed at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada where he wore his full gold lame suit for the last time.
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Queens Park in New Westminster BC
Queen’s Park in New Westminster is a recreation park that offers numerous facilities. It is also home of the popular Queen’s Park Farm. This farm is an interactive chance for children to play with the animals that live in the park. Apart from this farm experience, it has Face painting and live shows, and creative activities. The park is a very popular tourist attraction and is easily accessible via The Millennium Trail.
Queen’s Park is a garden treasure. The trees in the park are among the oldest in the region. The park also provides lots of shade and ideal walking trails. It’s a popular spot for picnics to enjoy the outdoors or simply sit on the lawn. Petting farms are also available there.
https://vakaricreation.blogspot.com/2023/01/westminster-pier-park-newest-addition.html
New Westminster is a large city in the southeast region of the Vancouver metropolitan region. It was named in honor of Queen Victoria. The city is famous for its stunning Craftsman homes. The city has eight primary schools as well as two middle schools and one high school within the city.
One of the most historical cities includes The Queen’s Park neighbourhood. The quiet neighborhood is only a few minutes away from the most significant landmarks of the city. Some of them include those of the Provincial Exhibition, the Royal Agricultural & Industrial Society of BC and the Women’s Building and the New Westminster Arena.
In the early 1900s the provincial fair in New Westminster drew many visitors. The purpose of the event was to promote interest in agriculture within the community as well as to encourage industry. Visitors were able to witness demonstrations of industry, agriculture and products from the industry. The most famous guests were Winston Churchill and the Prince of Wales.
The arena was initially designed for horse races. In 1914, the arena was turned into an ice hockey facility. The fire broke out, and it was not able to contain the fire. The insurance proceeds of the fire were put to use to construct an arena.
Heritage House in New Westminster is a historical residence. It was built in 1912 and includes extensive fir millwork and historic stained glass windows. It is equipped with pocket doors as well as ceilings with coffered ceilings. On the second floor there is a camo window with a view of the surrounding neighborhood.
The main floor is lined with hardwood floors and the kitchen is bright and modern. The home has four bedrooms as well as 2.5 bathrooms. The other features include a huge vaulted family room, a game room and a soothing fountain. A third bedroom can be accessible via the patio.
Apart from these houses There are many more historical properties worth exploring throughout New Westminster. New Westminster area. It is also possible to look into The Sidney as well as the Ida Pearce House located in Brow of the Hill. The house is a 3-story structure with more than 2400 sq ft of space for living.
Another property located in the historic Queen’s Park neighborhood is the Simpson House. The 1909 Victorian house is located on a property measuring 51 by 148 feet. It’s the perfect home for the first time homeowner or young professionals.
https://ift.tt/69tYpUC
January 03, 2023 at 02:07PM
#Furniture maker#Furniture manufacturer#Cabinet maker#Custom cabinet maker#Live Edge#Wood table top#wood countertop#Kitchen Cabinets
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Cardiff Ice Hounds vs Bracknell Blizzard
27/05/17
Ice Hounds became league champions. Watch the video here!
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Can you please write Rappa with a male s/o🥺 I don't know but I feel like he'd fall in love with some guy he saw fighting in an underground ring like he did.
Have an amazing day and don't forget to drink water and eat😁
I didn’t know if you wanted smut or not so I just did a lil smoochy smooch
After the pro heroes invaded Kai Chisaki’s hideout, Rappa quickly fled back to the underground partaking in cheap fights that he only used to make money. He had seen almost every fighter there and was bored of them all within a matter of weeks.
So after all the repeated wins, the moment Kendo first saw you, a new face, it was damn near love at first sight. The pure hidden strength that radiated from your toned body was one similar to that red-headed sidekick he had run into.
Masked eyes watched you through the serrated bars of the arena as you pin down your opponent. It was a beefy man, slightly larger than yourself, but anyone could see that he was all force no brain. You wiped the small amounts of sweat from your face as the referee declares you as the winner.
Rappa instantly knew he wanted to get his hands on you. After the fight, he searched around for you, but you had disappeared. Discreetly, he asked around for your name but no one knew. You weren’t seen again after that night until showing up 4 weeks later to fight again.
He had been spending time in the waiting room bar, trying to get relaxed for another lame fight. Soon, however, he had no choice but to acknowledged the quickly depleting number of customers scurrying to the main floor. That made him got curious.
The deranged cheering could be heard even before you got to the front door. The glitchy TV’s out in the halls projected the fight to the best of their abilities, glitching overwhelmingly from the audience’s screams.
There you stood, hair slicked back with a small ponytail at the base of your neck. You poured water all over yourself as your opponent sat nervously at the other end. As the fight started, Rappa made his way into the arena and through the crowd.
He jumps back in shock as your face is pressed into the harsh edges of the gate, creating small pools of blood on your cheek. For a moment your eyes focused on his but your head was yanked back by your short hair, pulling you away from the gate as your opponent swings you around
Kendo scowled, only a lesser man would resort to such pitiful ways of fighting. Kendo believed that both brains and brawn went into a good fight, one that your opponent lacked since he resorted to such dirty tricks. For a moment, it seemed as if you would lose as your opponent straddled your waist with his fist raised above you.
As his fist came down to make contact, you grab his ribcage and squeeze tightly, catching him off guard enough that you could toss him over you, and onto his head where he slumped, out cold. The crowd goes crazy, some celebrating, some cursing you for doing shady moves despite it being the opposite.
It was just his luck that Kendo finds you this time, tending to your wounds with an icepack and tequila. “You did pretty well out there, I got to hand it to you.” he grunts awkwardly. You raise the ice pack to peek past your arm. You’re silent as your eyes focus on the wale head-on Rappa’s skull.
Kendo awkwardly scratched the top of the said skull as your silence unnerves him. Finally, you speak, but it’s not what he expected, “You’re that guy that keeps asking about me.” Kendo stiffens as you stand up, towering over him. “You wanna fight or something?”
Rappa swallows his saliva and wordlessly nods. You hum looking past him, before walking in the direction of the back alleys. “Well, are you coming?” Rappa’s feet move as if on command he tries to speak and his voice cracks uselessly, “Now!? I mean I’m sure you have a concussion...”
You wave him off as you open the exit door, a cool wind blows around the two of you. The empty lot is lit only by the rising moon. “You worked so hard just to find me, I think it’s only fair to reward you.” Kendo pretended your words did nothing to him. As he watched as you removed your jacket and toss it elsewhere.
Despite the tattered appearance of your shirt, You crouch and motioned for Kendo to move. He takes a running start at you, releasing a guttural scream. Just as he got 3 feet in front of you, you’re suddenly behind him, hitting him on the back of the head. “You need to move faster than that if you want to hurt me.”
Kendo grits his teeth as a streak of anger flashed across his vision, “Don’t mock me!” “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Rappa cracked his knuckles together as he focused his eyes on your feet. That’s where your strength lay if only he could just get you to trip up…
Rappa’s thought progress is interrupted as his feet are kicked out from under him. But before he can hit the ground, you grab the front of his white tank top and hold him close to your face.
At the close proximity, Rappa could see faint stubble along your jaw and especially at your chin. “Look, buddy, the next time you challenge someone to a fight. Don’t daydream the entire time.” You use your index finger to lift the animal mask, just above Kendo’s mouth.
In a flash, you peck his lips teasingly before releasing him and walking past, grabbing your jacket off the ground before walking inside the exit. “Damn my head hurts.”
Kendo watches you leave with a strange feeling in his heart and a new reason to train himself to be stronger.
#kendo rappa#bnha rappa#mha rappa#black male reader#male reader#bnha x male reader#mha x male reader#rappa x male reader#rappa x reader
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Flatbush & Atlantic: part ix
part i part ii part iii part iv part v part vi part vii part viii
And here we’ve got part ix! This will be the second-to-last part of the series, I’ve got some thoughts also running around for a possible epilogue if that’s something anyone would be interested in reading. As always, there’s literally nothing writers love more than hearing from you all, so don’t be afraid to come and tell me what you think - my inbox is open, comment on the post, reblog with your thoughts!
part ix
April 27 (tues)
Mat’s mind was racing. If he was honest, he hadn’t been able to concentrate worth a damn since Cass had dropped the news about her job offer. Hong Kong? He knew she was brilliant, knew that her skills could and should take her anywhere in the world she wanted to go; the thought that she might leave New York, leave him, was still terrifying. Becoming more worried by the minute, he pulled out his phone, dialing the first person he could think of that might be able to help.
Tito answered on the first ring. “Hello?”
“Hey, Tito. What’s up?” Mat asked nervously.
“What’s wrong, Mat?” He immediately asked. Mat cursed under his breath; even over the phone, Beau was always able to read him like a book.
Mat grimaced. “That obvious, huh?”
“Mat, we see each other pretty much every day. Not to be a jerk or something, but you don’t really call me unless something’s wrong. What is it? Did you and Cass have a fight?” Mat could imagine him crossing his arms on the other end.
“Not exactly,” he said, scratching his head as he wandered aimlessly around the park. “She got this job offer, and it sounds like a really exciting opportunity, but…” He trailed off.
“But?”
“It’s all the way in Asia. It’s in Hong Kong.”
Tito sucked in a breath. “Oh, wow. That’s a big one. Big move. Has she said if she’s going to take it?”
“Not really, she hasn’t decided.” Mat shook his head, not realizing Tito wouldn’t be able to see. “We talked through it a little, they’re offering a really good starting salary and she likes the company values, but it’s such a huge jump that she’s not ready to make the call yet.”
“Did you talk about what it would mean for you as a couple?”
“A little, though not as much as we probably should have,” Mat admitted. “Neither of us would want to break it off just because it would be long distance, but logistically it would just be a nightmare. It’s something like a 15 hour flight from New York, so it’s not like either of us would ever be able to make that more than once or twice a year. Did you know that it’s a twelve hour time difference from here?”
“No,” Tito said, “and it’s obviously not like I know exactly what you’re going through. Paige is a kindergarten teacher, so it’s not exactly like her job would suddenly pick up and move to another country. But it’s obviously a different story with me.”
As distracted as he was, Mat felt compelled to respond. “You know they’re going to resign you, right? It would be a terrible move for them if they didn’t.”
“Yeah, I mean that’s what I’ve figured,” Beau responded. “And my agent told me to expect negotiations to start in the next month or so, but still. I could be sent to Winnipeg or Phoenix or Vancouver pretty much without notice, and I wouldn’t want to ask her to just pick up her whole life and follow me. So, I get the feeling.” He paused for a moment. “How do you feel about it?”
“Mixed feelings,” Mat answered honestly. “I’d never want to hold her back from anything, that’s not the kind of person I am and it’d be a dick move regardless. She’s her own person and deserves to be able to make her own decisions. And I would never want her to grow to resent me if she decided to stay for my sake. That would almost be worse. I just..I really love her, Tito, and I would hate for us to never be able to see eachother because of her job. Or worse, for this to mean the end of us because the distance was too hard to deal with.”
It took Tito a minute to respond. “I know you love her, Mat. It’s pretty obvious. You look at her like she hung the moon. But if they all say that things will work out if you love each other and talk it through, then what are you so worried about?”
Mat took a deep breath before answering, trying to gather his thoughts as best he could. When he spoke, his voice wavered. “Because I’ve never been this gone for a girl, Tito. What Cass and I have...I don’t even know how to describe it. I’d stop the Earth turning if it made her happy. It’s just...she’s it for me. I’m done looking. And the idea that I could be 13,000 kilometers away from her isn’t even something I had considered. I wouldn’t know what to do. I don’t know what to do.”
“Wow. That’s...that’s big, Mat. You serious?”
“As a heart attack,” he replied.
“When do they need to hear back by?” Tito asked.
Mat looked down at his watch, checking the time. “Not for a few weeks. She’s got some time to decide, which is almost worst.”
Tito hummed sympathetically. “Just talk it through. I can’t pretend like I know what’s going to happen, but I have faith in you. It’s going to work out.”
“I hope so.”
May 13 (thurs)
It was nine days before Cass graduated, and if she was being honest, her time may have objectively been better spent studying for her finals, the first of which was Monday. But this was Mat, and this was the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and she supposed that her studies could wait for a night while she spent her evening at Barclays. It was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final, and there was no way she was going to miss her team’s chance at the Wales trophy. The tone in the arena was tense from the moment she stepped in; ever the optimist, Cass liked the Islanders’ chances, but the fact remained that they were down 3-1 in the series after a 4-0 rout by the Lightning in Game 4. The series had started off with forward momentum after winning the first game at home, but the three-game losing streak had done little for the fans’ hopes and even less for the team’s morale.
The only bright spot, if she could call it that, was Mat’s return to the ice. He knew as well as anything that the recovery time was for his own good, but he wasn’t made to be cooped up in his apartment for nearly two weeks straight, save only doctor’s appointments and short trips to the complex gym. Per his usual dramatic fashion, Mat had been cleared in time for Game 7 of the second round, returning to raucous cheers and scoring two goals in the eventual 4-2 win over the Capitals. She had caught up enough on her work to be able to make the game, and it was one of the great joys of her life to be up in a box surrounded by her friends when the love of her life scored the goal that sent the Islanders to the conference finals for the first time in nearly thirty years.
That kind of a dramatic win had made the losing streak that much harder. Game sevens are always exciting, especially with someone coming back off of injured reserve. While the win hadn’t made the team cocky by any means, the confidence had carried over into something more closely resembling complacency. They won Game 7, they won the first of the next series, so some of the team — mostly the younger players who hadn’t yet cut their teeth in the league — had made the mistake of assuming that the rest of the round would be smooth sailing. They should have known better, Cass thought ruefully as the Lightning scored two minutes before the first intermission to even the score at 1-1. Why couldn’t this be the round before, filled with confidence and coordination and laser-focused passing on every line? Why couldn’t it have been the celebration after?
---
May 3 (tues)
Winning a game sometimes called for going out. Winning a series almost definitely called for going out. And winning a series in Game 7 that sent your team to the conference finals for the first time in recent memory called for going out, and going out hard. As much as Cass would have loved to get as hammered as the rest of the group, especially considering the stress she was under with finals and graduation and her job offer piling up, they didn’t want a repeat of the afterparty from the All-Star Game, and Cass still had school the next day. So, she had committed to limiting herself to three drinks. “I want to be tipsy, not shitfaced,” she had explained to Paige on the drive over. Tito had driven his car over, Paige volunteering to DD so the boys could let loose and everyone could let off some much-needed steam.
Someone had already opened up a tab for everyone by the time their car had gotten there, and it wasn’t ten minutes before they had claimed a few couches in the corner and Cass had a caipirinha in her hand. She was a little worried that Mat’s tolerance had tanked in the past few weeks; he hadn’t really drank since before the concussion and it was their first time at a bar in a few weeks regardless. Mat noticed her nervous glances out of the corner of his eye. “I’m fine,” he reassured her. “I specifically asked the doctors if I was good to drink at my last appointment and they said I was in the clear.”
Cass giggled, sipping her drink. “You asked your doctors if you could drink alcohol?”
“What can I say?” Mat shrugged. “I wanted to go out and get lit with friends, can you blame me?”
Cass’ giggles had evolved into full-on belly laughs. “Lit? What are you, sixteen?”
Mat’s cheeks reddened in what was probably a combination of alcohol and embarrassment. “My cousin said it once.”
Cass headed back over to the bar a few minutes later for another drink, leaving the boys to talk amongst themselves with the occasional interruption from an excited fan. On a high from the win, the team were more than happy to take photos and have quick chats with anyone who stopped them, and thankfully weren’t mobbed by the crowd inside the bar. For the most part, Cass and her relationship with Mat had been able to fly under the radar — well, as much as she could being Mat Barzal’s other half. Her Instagram hadn’t been private since college, and while a fair few fans and fanpages followed her, it had all remained mercifully low-key. Waiting at the bar, she resigned herself to scroll through Twitter for a few minutes, knowing it would be a little while before the bartender got to her.
“Are you Cassidy Shaw?” Cass’ head turned slowly towards her right, where a short blonde girl looked at her with a shocked expression.
“Cabrera Shaw, but yes?” She answered slowly.
“Sorry!” The girl apologized, “I didn’t mean to be weird or anything. I follow you on Instagram, it’s just so weird to finally see you in person.” Cass gave a nervous laugh. She had fans? On Instagram? Who were excited if they met her in real life?
“One Southside and whatever your favorite IPA on tap is, please,” Cass said to the bartender who had just leaned over the counter to get her order. “Thank you? You’re welcome?” Cass smiled awkwardly.
“I just wanted to say that I think it’s super cool how you’re not a typical WAG or anything. My name’s Sierra, I’m a junior at St. John’s. I’m applying for law school next year. It’s just, like, awesome to see a woman being successful in her own right apart from her partner, especially when they’re in such a visible position and it’s not what’s expected of them. I’m sorry — I’m rambling, aren’t I?”
Cass laughed, a genuine one this time. “No, you’re totally good. Don’t worry. That’s really sweet of you to say, thanks a lot!” She sipped the Southside the bartender had just handed her, sliding Mat’s beer over. “Yeah, I have so much respect for the other women who choose to do more philanthropic work or be stay-at-home moms, but that’s not what I feel pulled to. Right now, at least.”
“Right, totally,” Julia said, grabbing what looked like a rum and coke from the other bartender. “Anyways, I should let you get back to the celebration. Tell the team congratulations, it was a great game to watch!”
Cass picked up the other glass, nodding. “I will. Thank you for your kind words, that was sweet of you to say.”
“Anytime!” Julia chirped happily.
Cass walked carefully back over to the group, keeping an eye on the drinks. She handed Mat’s beer to him. He looked up curiously, taking a sip. “Something hold you up at the bar?”
She shook her head, then nodded, then shook it again. “Kind of? I think I just had my first fan encounter.”
He laughed, leaning over to plant a kiss on her cheek. “Comes with the territory, babe.”
---
The game was scoreless through the second period, which didn’t help the tension in the stadium or Cass’ blood pressure. She and Paige had decided to get actual seats for the game, which Mat and Tito were more than happy to arrange. The Islanders were doing well through the first half of the third period, other than a little bit of messy passing the lines were good. But good wasn’t good enough sometimes, good wasn’t close enough to score and give them the lead. Cass’ heart sank as soon as one of the defensemen, she wasn’t sure who, made a turnover in the neutral zone to give the Lightning the puck. Kucherov picked it off, skating past the defenders and around the goal while the rest of the line nearly tripped over themselves trying to skate back in time.
She was on the edge of her seat as he wrapped around the goal, silently praying that Varlamov would somehow be able to get a piece of the puck with his blocker or that it would have one of those one-in-a-million deflections off of the post. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium as everyone waited for the shot; tall of the sudden, time seemed to move like molasses. And then the puck went in, the red light went on, and the scattered sections of blue-and-white clad Lightning fans threw their arms up in celebration.
Cass allowed herself exactly ten seconds to hold her head in her hands. There was still seven minutes, thirty nine seconds left. There was still time. Then there was five minutes, forty-two seconds left, and Maroon got two minutes for tripping, and that was their chance. That was supposed to be their chance. But then the penalty came and went, and it was three minutes left. Two minutes left. They pulled Varlamov at one minutes fifty-eight seconds left, and then it was the last shift. Forty-nine seconds left, and it was time for a Hail Mary. Out of habit, Cass’s lips began moving in the prayer. Hail Mary, full of grace...It was a holdover from her lacrosse days, when they were down in the last quarter with seemingly no hope in sight. It didn’t always work, but it sometimes did. It didn’t work that night. It didn’t work because the clock ticked down to zero, the score was still 2-1, and the Islanders had lost. They were out of the playoffs. Fans began shuffling out of the rink, shoulders slumped and heads down, as Cass bit her lip and tried not to cry. The team had worked so hard for this. God, they had worked so hard. And if she was taking it this badly, if it was affecting her this much, then she couldn’t even begin to imagine what it was like for the guys on the team.
Paige turned to her after a few minutes, when there were only a handful of people still left in their seats and the Zambonis had come out to resurface the ice one last time. “We should probably get down there, do you think?” She asked softly. Cass nodded. She was referring to the tunnel, outside the locker room where everyone usually got to greet their partners with kisses and hugs and words of congratulations, but where the mood would be profoundly different on that night. Cass grabbed her bag and straightened out her jersey, squeezing Paige’s hand. Neither of them really knew what the environment was going to be like after such a devastating knockout; Paige had started dating Anthony the summer before, and Cass obviously had even less experience. They had dealt with losses, they had dealt with disappointments and losing streaks and points droughts, but this was something new entirely.
They rode the elevator in silence before walking down the corridors to the room, where the rest of the WAGs and other family had congregated. Kerry rubbed her shoulder sympathetically as Lauren walked over. “We in the Islanders family have a lot of experience with getting knocked out of the playoffs,” she said with a weak smile, trying to crack a joke, “so here is how it usually goes. The guys should be coming out in a few, it takes longer than usual because the media typically has some end-of-the-season wrapup questions and Trotz and Anders will probably make speeches or say something. Some others might too.” The two women nodded. “Don’t treat it like just another loss, but it’s also no good to hover too much. It’s obviously a real disappointment, so it usually takes a week or so before most of them bounce back to being their normal selves. They know what coping mechanisms work best for them. Most will hit the gym more, read or cook if they’re into that, something to get their mind off of it. Obviously they’re still players and still want to know how they can get better, so they might want to go over tapes of the games and make notes of where they went wrong. That’s fine, but don’t let them beat themselves up about it too much. This was a hard series, and Mat especially,” she gestured towards Cass, “tends to be more than a little bit of a perfectionist.”
“I’ve noticed,” Cass said.
“One last thing,” she continued. “Let them process, let them cope, but a loss not an excuse for them to treat you any worse, any less kindly. Be understanding, of course. But don’t take any crap from them, regardless of the circumstance.”
“Thank you,” Paige said gratefully. Cass echoed her sentiment. The next ten minutes were filled with checking emails and making half-hearted conversation before the team started to trail out of the room. Embracing their partners and families, most couples exchanged no more than a few words before turning down the hall that led to the players’ parking lot. Paige left with a squeeze to her shoulder and a promise to get coffee the next week before grabbing Tito’s hand and guiding him towards the cars.
Unsurprisingly, Mat followed right behind. He hadn’t combed his hair after his shower, the top button of his dress shirt was undone and only haphazardly tucked into his pants. Mat had been on the shift when Kucherov scored, and if there was anything she knew about her boyfriend, it was that he’d take it personally. He dropped his bag on the ground as she embraced him, and the thud against the concrete floor felt as if it could echo all the way across the Long Island Sound.
“I’m so proud of you, Mat. So, so proud. I know this didn’t end how you wanted it to, but you worked so fucking hard to get here, and that’s what I see. That’s all I see,” she whispered.
Mat wasn’t crying, but his breathing was labored nonetheless. “I just feel...I feel like I let everyone down. I wasn’t supposed to be that far up on the ice, and if I hadn’t, maybe I would have gotten back in time to steal the puck, or check him or something, or…” He trailed off.
Cass sighed. “I know, chou, I know how you feel. But just try to remember that this is a team sport. You win with the boys, you lose with the boys. Do you get mad at Tito when he makes a bad play? Or Jordan, or Anders?” Mat shook his head. “It’s the same way with you. They don’t stop being proud of you or think you’re any less of an incredible player because you made a bad decision. Bad decisions get made all the time, and it doesn’t have to reflect on the person who made them. It’s a hard game, love, but you did your best and that’s all anyone ever has a right to ask of you.”
Mat’s thumb rubbed against the small of her back. “I know I’ll be fine, eventually. I mean, we’ve all dealt with this before. It just seems different this time, because we were so close to actually making the finals. It seems kind of silly to say since I know I’m only 23 and I know I’ve got so much time left to play, but,” he took a shaky breath, “I look at all the veterans, all the amazing players whose entire careers have gone by without ever having gotten the Cup. Lundqvist and Thornton and Marleau and all of these legends. And it sounds kind of selfish and naive, but I don’t want to be one of them.”
They stood like that for a few more minutes, just holding each other, before either spoke again. “Do you want me to stay with you tonight?” Cass murmured to Mat as she carded her hands through his hair. She felt a tiny, almost imperceptible nod against her shoulder. Her bag had her laptop, books, and chargers. She had a whole drawer in Mat’s room by then, a combination of stray shirts that were his-turned-hers, a few pairs of leggings — they took up an entire drawer of their own back at her apartment — and balled-up socks from her one unsuccessful attempt at doing the laundry in his building. She had a spare box of tampons in his bathroom, her floral shampoo next to his 2-in-1 Old Spice. No matter how hard she pushed, Mat remained oblivious to the benefits of having separate shampoo and conditioner.
He pulled away, reaching into his pocket and handing over his keys. “Do you mind driving?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. Whatever you need.”
The ride back home was about forty minutes, and it was almost halfway through before either of them spoke, the lull of the 80s rock channel filling in the silence. “Where’s your head at, Mat?” She asked carefully.
He was looking out the window, distracted. “Hm?”
She repeated the question and he tensed slightly, leaning back into the passenger seat. “Just feeling kind of...confused about the whole thing. Seems like I’m being pulled in a thousand different directions one day, but then all of the sudden something like this happens and I’ve got nothing. It’s overwhelming. I know I have a life outside of hockey, I know it’s not all of who I am, but sometimes it seems hard to believe that when it seems like that’s all I’m recognized for.” Keeping one hand on the wheel, Cass reached over to cover his hand with her own. His fingers held onto hers like a lifeline.
“You’re right, you know?” She said as they passed into the Queens-Midtown tunnel.
“About?”
“Being so much more than people perceive you to be. I get that, it’s like that for me too sometimes. And Mat, you are so much more than ‘just a hockey player.’ You’re a good son and an amazing brother to Liana, and an awesome friend to Tito and the guys on the team and everyone back home. And,” she added, cracking a smile, “you’re a pretty good boyfriend too.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Just pretty good?”
“I didn’t want to fluff your ego too much,” Cass said. “But seriously, Mat. You’re incredible entirely on your own merit. You care so deeply for the people in your life and you love so hard, and it’s an honor and a privilege to be able to witness that firsthand.”
Mat bent down to the center console, brushing a kiss over her hand. “How do you do it?”
Now it was her turn to question. “Do what?”
“Always know the right thing to say.”
“I don’t,” Cass admitted. “And sometimes I get it wrong. But I know I love you, and I don’t want to see you hurting if there’s anything I can do about it.” The car exited the tunnel into the dotted lights of a Manhattan evening.
“Well,” he cleared his throat, “if there was an Oscar for pep talks, I’d have to give it to you, hands down. No offense to any of the guys on the team.”
She laughed, stopping at the light. Right on red wasn’t legal in New York City, a rule she found out the hard way two months after moving. “I’m glad it helps.”
“It does,” Mat said softly. “It means the world to me that you care enough to do it. You mean the world to me.”
Her cheeks heated. “You sure know how to flatter a girl, eh, Barzal?”
“I meant every word.”
---
May 20 (thurs)
She was done. After three years, six semesters, dozens of classes, and hundreds of hours studying, Cass had just finished her last final of law school. Her classmates stumbled out of the lecture hall, not entirely believing that all of their tears and heartache and hard work had come to a head in such an anticlimactic fashion. Turning on her heel, she walked south. It was just before seven, and her friends had a group reservation at some ridiculously extravagant French wine bar. It was Les’ idea, who had a penchant for all things expensive and who had made the reservation months prior because “you never know, John Mayer could book the whole place up and as much as I love dollar slices, we don’t want that to be our only option for what’s supposed to be a very prestigious celebratory dinner.” Les, Fiona, and Samaira were coming, along with Daniel, another editor on the law review, and Robin, one of Cass’ friends from first-year criminal law and the president of the Women’s Law Association. She had initially been wary about inviting Mat; it wasn’t that she didn’t think he’d get along with her law school friends, but she didn’t want him to feel out of the loop. After Les had announced that he was bringing his boyfriend, Xavier, Cass had extended the invite to Mat as well.
It was only a ten minute walk, and the hostess directed Cass to their table, where she realized that she was the last one to arrive. “Don’t worry,” Robin said, “we’ve just been interrogating your man.”
Cass scooted in next to Mat, kissing him quickly before rolling her eyes. “I hope you haven’t been too hard on him.”
Mat smiled. “Nah, they’ve been good. But being questioned by six lawyers who all seem very adamant that I don’t deserve you —”
“You don’t,” Samaira cut in, though it was clear she was joking.
“Was more than a little intimidating,” Mat finished, handing Cass the menu.
“Order whatever you want, I’m paying,” Daniel said as he flicked through the wine menu. “Well, technically, my parents are.” Daniel came from money; his mom was a partner at a firm in Chicago and his dad was a law professor at the University of Chicago. “If they’re going to insist on sending me to law school and sheltering me my whole life, the least I could do is take advantage of their generosity,” Daniel said, plunking his credit card onto the table. Fifteen minutes later, the group was sharing plates of escargots, crab tartine, and roasted cauliflower; twenty minutes after that, entrées were served. Mat had recognized the waitress’ accent and was chatting to her in French in between plates. Cass sipped on her wine, a pinot noir, and took a moment to look around the room, a moment to relax. Two more days, and she graduated. Everything that she had worked so hard for was finally coming to fruition. She still had to pass the bar in July, sure, but for one night — for a few days, really — she was going to let herself finally rest in the ability of her accomplishments.
Dessert was maple bourbon crème brûlée with Sauternes, and Mat may have had a little too much fun breaking the caramelized sugar. Cass was full of good food and conversation; after everyone was done it was after nine. Les, Daniel, and Xavier had decided to get drinks, but Robin had barely slept at all that week, Samaira was going to watch a movie at her boyfriend’s, and Cass and Mat had to wake up early to get her grandparents from the airport. Mat took her hand as they walked towards the subway station. He had parked a few blocks away and offered to drive Cass back to her apartment, but she didn’t want him to go out of his way and all things considered, taking the subway at night had become something of a routine for her.
They walked down Manhattan Avenue, resting in the kind of comfortable silence that only came with being with someone who really gets you. Cass had decided not to take the Hong Kong job the week prior. It was just too much distance from her family and Mat, and while the job seemed interesting enough, it wasn’t the kind of position she thought she could really be happy in long-term. “Have you figured out what you’re doing yet?” Mat asked as they turned the corner. “I’d say you should just move in with me and become a full-time housewife, but something’s telling me that’s not exactly the kind of opportunity you’re searching for.”
Cass laughed, bumping him with her shoulder. “Tempting offer, the housewife thing, but I think I’m going to have to pass. Plus that would necessitate you wifing me up.”
Mat kissed her head. “All in due time, pretty girl.” “But anyways, about the job search.” Cass said, a smile playing on her lips. “I was going to wait until graduation to surprise you, but since you asked…” She paused for dramatic effect. “Chris offered me a job. Permanently.”
Mat stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “Chris? Like Islanders Chris? Lawyer Chris?”
She giggled. “Yes. Islanders lawyer Chris. You’re looking at the new Associate Counsel for the New York Islanders, Mat.” Mat damn near hollered in celebration, picking Cass up and spinning her around before pulling her into what was very possibly one of the best kisses of her life. Cass barely took notice of the tourists watching them from the side or her own public display of affection. It was New York City. They had seen weirder.
It felt like a weight had been lifted off of Mat’s chest. He was being honest when he said that he wouldn’t have done anything to get Cass to stay, it just wasn’t his place. But he also would have been lying if he had said it would be anything but heartbreaking to see her leave. It was like he told Tito. Not even giving the future a chance to work itself out would be worse than a breakup. And with any luck, they’d never have one of those either. They rounded the last corner, steps down to the subway in sight, when Mat remembered what he had wanted to ask her but had been interrupted by her news. Her incredible, perfect news. “What would you think about spending some time in Canada this summer?”
Cass, seemingly oblivious, answered, “Oh? Like as a vacation?”
He shook his head. “No, like in Coquitlam with my family.”
“You want me to spend the summer with you and your family?” Cass asked, eyes wide.
“Yeah, only if you want to, of course. And I’m not sure when the job with the team starts, or…” He looked down.
Cass smiled. “I’d love to, but are you sure it isn’t too much? I don’t want to feel like I’m intruding on family time, I know you don’t get a lot of time with them since you’re here most of the year. I don’t want you to feel like you’re obligated to bring me around just because we’re together.”
They stopped by a lamp. Cass leaned up against the post. “Cass. My parents have made it very clear to me that you’re family, and that they’ll have my head if I’m ever dumb enough to let you go.” She snickered. “Just so we’re clear, I don’t intend on ever letting that happen. My family loves you, my sister thinks you’re way cooler than me.”
“She’s got good taste,” Cass said, tilting her head.
Mat laughed. “She does. She told me you guys were texting the other day about the guy she’s interested in, giving her advice. Sure, it was my idea to invite you, but they were so on board from the moment I mentioned it. Plus, my friends back home are getting annoyed with me because they haven’t met you yet with how often I talk about you.”
She bit her lip. “How long were you thinking of staying?”
Mat shrugged. “Leave in a couple weeks, I usually stay two months or so, so until sometime in August?”
“I’d have to fly back to take the bar in July, and I’d still need some time to study while we’re over, but my contract doesn’t start until the end of August, so…”
“You’ll come?” Mat smiled hopefully.
She nodded. “I’ll come. I’ve never been to Canada before, did you know that?”
He shook his head, leaning in and brushing a kiss on her hairline. “You’re going to love it.”
#hockey imagines#nhl imagines#hockey smut#nhl smut#mat barzal#hockey#hockey writing#hockey imagine#nhl#nhl imagine#nhl writing#mathew barzal#mat barzal imagine#mat barzal imagines#New York Islanders
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Live, laugh, love the Cardiff Devils
Appreciation for my home team🏴
#cardiff devils#ice hockey#wales#eihl#lets go devils#hockey#ice rink#cymru#cardiff sports#swansea#local#Diawliaid Caerdydd#the cardiff devils#ice arena wales#vindico arena#cardiff bay#elite ice hockey league#champions#duggan#dixon#batch#ben bowns#lord#brodie reid#carruth#goaltender#puck#red army#taz 666#ccm
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Full transcript of Gillian’s Sunday Times Interview
Gillian Anderson interview: Sex Education, phalluses, and why she’s hot for comedy
A coming-of-age comedy from Netflix puts therapist Gillian Anderson on the couch with her teenage son. She’s got ‘the chat’ down pat, she says.
Two things are striking from a tour of the set of Sex Education, Netflix’s new coming-of-age comedy. The first is how much a disused university campus in Newport has been made to look like your favourite US high-school TV show. There are sports pennants on the wall, the corridors are lined with battered lockers and the oversized serif M of the fictional Moordale High is on every pane of glass. You have to remind yourself it’s Newport, Wales, not Newport, California (though the drizzle helps).
Gillian Anderson was so taken with the set that she took pictures to show her friends. “Would you like to see them?” she says, passing me her mobile. “I think 50% of the pictures on my phone are now of one kind of phallus or another. Look at that. It’s a chess set that’s been made out of penises and vaginas. Aren’t they amazing? All those little penis pawns.”
The set she’s showing me is the house belonging to her character, Jean, and the reason there are so many phalluses is that Jean is a sex therapist. Sex Education is about Jean and her 16-year-old son, Otis (Asa Butterfield). Jean has no filter, is a prodigious oversharer, introduces her son to her various lovers and hands out condoms at parties. All Otis’s life, she has been a constant embarrassment to her son.
As a result, he is terrified of intimacy and can barely even look at his own penis. But when he runs into trouble at high school, his extensive sexual knowledge, gleaned through listening to sessions through cracks in the floorboards, turns out to be a gift that is much sought-after — so Otis sets up a clinic of his own on campus.
“The original idea actually came from a Channel 4 documentary called The Joy of Teen Sex,” says Laurie Nunn, the show’s creator. “Someone at the production company saw it and came up with the pitch, which was about this kid who’s been raised by this sex-therapist mum, but he has problems with his own sex life.”
To that premise, Nunn and the director Ben Taylor (Catastrophe) have added an unusual backdrop: Sex Education is set in a British secondary school that feels as if it has been teleported into a John Hughes film. The pupils wear backpacks and arrive in drop tops; the soundtrack is MOR hair rock; there are verifiable jocks, nerds and bully boys; and, although everyone speaks with an English accent, the sky is always a Californian blue.
“I’ve always said to my agent that my dream gig would be an American-style high-school comedy — quite rare in this country,” Taylor says. “This is a genre I’ve grown up loving, and I’ve really been frustrated that this country doesn’t seem to produce a ‘positive school experience’ on screen. There are movies like Gregory’s Girl, but I was looking for something of that tone on television. I found it in abundance in Laurie’s script.”
A character such as Jean in a series such as Sex Education marks a decidedly different tack for Anderson, too. From Scully in The X-Files to Miss Havisham in the BBC’s Great Expectations to Stella Gibson in three series of The Fall, she has made her name as the nation’s favourite ice maiden. Ice maidens aren’t generally hilariously confident failing mothers; ice maidens don’t make dick jokes.
“This script was so refreshing,” she says, “not just because it’s different, but also because I don’t get to be funny often in my career. The stuff I get is FBI agent, CIA agent, period stuff or women who commit suicide. With this, I just laughed and laughed and laughed at every script. I just felt like I couldn’t say no.”
It’s not that she can’t do comedy, she points out, it’s just that she doesn’t get offered it that much: it’s often forgotten that a portion of The X-Files episodes were comedic, at least in part. “I think back then I found I could do them as well [as serious material], and some of the theatre I have done has been comedic, but I don’t often get offered straight comedy.
“I might be offered a comedy, but I’m the straight man as opposed to getting to be goofy or erotic in a humorous way.”
In the case of Sex Education, Jean is both goofy and humorously erotic. It is also a subject Anderson knows a little bit about — not so much the sex-therapist bit (though she gives a good explanation of scrotal dysfunction to this wide-eyed innocent) but the mothering. She has two boys aged 10 and 12, as well as a 24-year-old daughter: she has had plenty of time to think about the whys and wherefores of “the chat”.
“My sons are literally about to start a new school,” she says. “They’re about to go through all of this. What’s fantastic about the series is, aside from being incredibly funny, it just puts front and centre what all kids are dealing with on a daily basis.”
Through her children, Anderson recognises that when it comes to teenage sexuality, smartphones have changed the game in a single decade. “It’s because of social media. There’s so much… almost dysmorphia about it. Everything is so out of proportion and not where the focus should be in terms of intimacy.
“Ultimately, sex is the most intimate thing one can do with another human being — how do you teach kids that? It’s fabulous in this to be able to draw attention to all the misguided versions of what sex is today for teenagers.”
Asa Butterfield, 21 but looking much younger, is about as close as you’ll come to a teenager on the Sex Education set. He thinks the show will provide a helping hand to teens lost in the morass of 21st-century sex. “It almost takes the pressure off people, because we deal with these issues in quite a blunt and straightforward way. It’s just saying that everyone has these issues, and it’s all normal. It shows them that it’s not a big deal to be scared or be behind.”
Anderson, sporting a short platinum bob that happens to make her look more icily unapproachable than ever, says filming Sex Education has made her less afraid of speaking to her own children. “That’s all it is, really — fear. Fear about approaching the subject, then the awkwardness and not wanting to be awkward, not wanting to make them awkward. There was a situation recently when I noticed I could have taken the conversation into a broader arena, and for some reason chose not to. I thought, ‘Have I not learnt anything?’”
Sex Education, it should be pointed out, is not a public-information film: first and foremost it’s a laugher. Inevitably, there’s plenty of sex and nudity (from the very first scene), but, as with Taylor’s Catastrophe, the sex is either awkward or joyous, never gratuitous. “One of the challenges,” Nunn says, “is always trying to keep the tone right — because they are teenagers. It’s still having the sex scenes and dealing with some quite graphic stuff, but keeping it totally appropriate and fun.”
Netflix has high hopes for the series, and you can see why. In one sense, it’s the perfect Netflix product, with Jean’s story playing to an older demographic, the John Hughes nods appealing to gen X nostalgia, and Butterfield, a child star from The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, a gawky but gutsy shoo-in for the 16- to 24-year-olds.
“Fingers crossed,” Nunn says, “that the generations can watch it, because I think the Jean stuff, particularly, exists in its own world. You can watch that and get a lot of enjoyment out of it, alongside the teenage characters. But in some ways older people could watch the teenage characters, too: it’s more about being a teenager than being just for teenagers. And everyone’s done that.”
Sex Education is available on Netflix from January 11
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GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS SIGN MARK LOUIS
By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, an ECHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, announced today that the club has signed veteran defenseman Mark Louis to an ECHL contract ahead of the 2023-24 Season presented by Bon Secours.
Louis, 36, signs with the Swamp Rabbits after spending the last seven seasons in Europe and six seasons with the Cardiff Devils of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom. The 6'4", 225-pounder began his European tenure during the 2016-17 season and appeared in 264 games for Cardiff since then. Louis helped Cardiff capture a pair of EIHL Championships, one in 2017 and the other under now Swamp Rabbits Head Coach/General Manager Andrew Lord in 2018. In his final season with the Wales-based club, Louis recorded four assists in 43 games.
“Louis is a big signing for our organization,” said Lord. “He brings veteran experience, size, toughness, and a great desire to compete and win. He and I had several good years working together overseas, and I’m thrilled to work alongside him again. I know he’s hungry to have a great season, and he will bring an overall game that not many players can bring anymore in today’s modern game.”
“I’m really looking forward to this upcoming season in Greenville,” said Louis. “Lordo and the organization have built something special over the last few years, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Louis briefly departed Cardiff for a single season with HK Dukla Michalovce in Slovakia for the 2020-21 campaign.
A native of Ponoka, Alberta, Louis began his professional career during the 2011-12 season, appearing in 23 games for the Portland Pirates in the American Hockey League. In April 2012, Louis was signed to an NHL deal with the Phoenix Coyotes, remaining with the Pirates for nearly three seasons before his rights were traded to the New York Islanders in 2015.
During the 2015-16 season, Louis played his only ECHL season for the Orlando Solar Bears, skating in 71 games and posting 10 points (3g, 7a).
The Swamp Rabbits will open the 2023-24 Season presented by Bon Secours on Saturday, October 21, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling(864) 674-7825.
About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has provided family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest-level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL's LA Kings and the AHL's Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League member.
GREENVILLE SWAMP RABBITS
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#AHL#AmericanHockeyLeague#BonSecoursWellnessArena#ECHL#GreenvilleRoadWarriors#GreenvilleSwampRabbits#LosAngelesKings#NHL#SpireSports+Entertainment
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Sport Photo :Myers. Cardiff Devils. Elite League Champions 2018 by SnelgroveTed
#Matthew Myers#Cardiff Devils#Ice hockey#Ice arena wales#Cardiff#Wales#Elite League Champions 2018#Ba
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Pencoedtre High School, Barry Wales
Pencoedtre High School, Barry Wales, New Welsh Building Development, Architecture Project
Pencoedtre High School in Barry
16 Mar 2022
Architecture: HLM Architects
Location: Barry, Wales, UK
Pencoedtre High School, Wales
Designed by HLM and built by Bouygues UK, the Pencoedtre High School project forms part of a £34.7 million investment into the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, a long-term strategic investment in schools and colleges throughout Wales developed by the Vale Council and Welsh Government.
Built over a two-year construction period, the new school provides modern facilities catering for up to 1,100 pupils, including sixth form students, with additional amenities to accommodate pupils with enhanced learning needs.
The school includes two three-storey teaching wings, connected by wide corridors and large windows to increase ventilation, centred around an open plan dining hall, main hall, and courtyard. The design incorporated state of the art music studios, science labs and a fitness suite, alongside a full-size sports hall that connects directly to the external sporting facilities, also designed by HLM, which are expected to be open to the local community outside of school hours. The external sporting facilities, which are under construction, offer a high-quality, multi-functional area that can be used to enhance learning and wellbeing, with spaces for socialising, learning, recreation and relaxing.
The focus on the local community has been evident throughout the project, as student ambassadors worked with the contractors to give pupils exclusive access to the site throughout construction, enabling them to learn about different stages of the build. As a result, the “topping out” ceremony was marked through some of the student ambassadors signing the building’s main beam.
Gareth Woodfin, Cardiff Studio Director, HLM Architects, said: “It’s great to see the school open and the students using the new facilities. Our design creates a welcoming educational environment that reflects the area’s rich industrial history. These new facilities will provide students with the resources they need to excel academically while extending support to the local community by acting as a central hub for residents in the surrounding area, aligning with our design philosophy to help positively shape the areas we serve.”
Work on site is continuing with the demolition of the old school and construction of the external sporting facilities, with full completion expected in February 2023.
Pencoedtre High School in Barry, Wales – Building Information
Design: HLM Architects – hlmarchitects.com
Location: Barry, South Wales
HLM Architects
Pencoedtre High School, Wales images / information received 160322
Location: Barry, Wales, UK, north western Europe
Welsh Architecture
Contemporary Architecture in South Wales – architectural selection below:
Welsh Architecture Designs – chronological list
Swansea Arena Building, Copr Bay, central Swansea, South Wales, UK
Design: ACME
photo © James Newton / Swansea Council
Swansea Arena Building
Ice Cream Research Building, the Black Mountains
Design: Hyde + Hyde Architects
image courtesy of architects practice
Ice Cream Research Facility Black Mountains
Welsh Architecture News
Welsh Architects Studios – architect office listing on e-architect
Arthur’s Cave Pop-up Hotel Cabin, Castell y Bere
image courtesy of architects
Welsh Pop-up Hotel Cabin
Cardiff University Innovation Campus
Design: HawkinsBrown ; HOK ; BDP ; DPP
image from architecture office
Cardiff University Innovation Campus
Welsh Architecture
National Assembly for Wales design by architect Richard Rogers
Maggies Wales Building design by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa
Comments / photos for the Pencoedtre High School, Wales Architecture design by HLM page welcome
The post Pencoedtre High School, Barry Wales appeared first on e-architect.
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Cardiff Devils: Home and away pre-season victories over Nottingham Panthers
Cardiff Devils: Home and away pre-season victories over Nottingham Panthers
Cardiff Devils forward Stephen Dixon scores the first goal of a weekend double header with Nottingham Panthers
Cardiff Devils enjoyed back-to-back weekend victories over Nottingham Panthers as they prepare for the return of the Elite Ice Hockey League.
The Devils won 5-1 inside a packed out Ice Arena Wales on Saturday.
Two goals from Brandon McNally then helped them to a 4-2 win in Nottingham…
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