Fellow players nodded.
“We’ve got the fighting spirit today,” said Rudie. “That’s what’s doing more for us than anything else!”
“We’ve got more than that,” rejoined Hoyt. “We’ve got what Hallstead doesn’t like—an answer for everything they pull on us! We’ve spilled old Maltby so much that it’s slowed his whole game up. The same stuff, gang—and we’ll worry the life out of this outfit!”
Hallstead, surprised and miffed at the unusually stiff brand of opposition Parker was putting up, took the ice at the start of the third period resolved to go out in front and stay there. But Parker met the new attack with increased resistance and the crowd sat breathless as formation after formation was broken up by one side or the other, the puck changing hands with bewildering rapidity. Hallstead, Rudie now decided, was playing rough but fair hockey. Parker, however, was employing the practices taught by Hoyt when play came to close quarters. As the pressure of the contest grew hotter and hotter, these little devices became more obvious.
“Careful, fellows!” Rudie couldn’t help warning, during a time-out. “You’re going too far in a minute. I’ve never felt right about this ... we’ve got a chance for the game if...!”
“You’re okay!” broke in Hoyt. “Going great guns! Keep it up!”
Hoyt looked to Captain Walt Lowery for support and got it, in an approving nod. Victory over Hallstead was the bait—an unbelievable victory! There were just six more minutes of play. The game might go into overtime...!
Mustering his forces, Chester Maltby, great Hallstead centre, sallied determinedly into Parker territory, determined to crack her defense wide open. With wingmen on either side of him and a defense man joining in the attack, forming a four-man forward wall, the advance began.
“Look out, gang!” shouted Hoyt, and braced himself for the impact.