“They’re all shouting now,” said Ed. “Telling us to play it safe so we won’t make any fouls ... and hold ’em till they get back in the game!”
“Can you beat it?” exclaimed Rudie, and grinned.
But the referee was calling another face-off not far from Parker’s net and Hallstead had all five men down the ice—five actually against two—in an effort to jam the puck home while Parker was so severely handicapped.
“Listen, fellows!” pleaded Rudie, of Ed and Bud. “Hoyt’s had his say now and you see where it’s gotten us. Here’s our chance to show what can be done—on the square. Are you with me?”
“Sure we’re with you!” cried Bud, crouching in the mouth of the cage.
“All the way!” seconded Ed.
And the battle was on! Rudie was knocked off his feet, stepped on, hit with sticks and swarmed over as five Hallstead men sought to get the puck from under him. He finally recovered his feet and sent the puck whizzing up the ice out of danger. Hallstead chased it, took on another formation, and came dashing back on the attack, five men abreast, with only two Parker men to face the charge. This time it was Ed who went down under flashing Hallstead heels and only Rudie was left to battle the invaders. He was shoved into the cage in a furious assault, wedged in alongside goalie Bud Gray, but—between them—they kicked the puck free.
“What hockey!” Hoyt was screaming. “That’s holding ’em, you guys!”
“They can’t keep this up much longer!” said Captain Lowery, nervously. “How many seconds are we out of play yet?”
“Fifty!” informed Lee, who sat next the timer, biting finger nails already chewed to the quick. “Gee, this last minute’s been an hour!”