Friendly Nuts Strike Gold!
Chapter 1. A chill had settled over the rink as the Friendly Nuts prepared to take the ice for their final hockey game of the season. The stakes were high: if they won, they would clinch an unlikely playoff spot; if they lost, their dreams of victory would be dashed. With only a few minutes left in warmups, something was still missing from their line-up—a goalie.
The team had been looking for one all season, but no matter how many tryouts and recruitments they did, no one seemed to fit the bill. Just minutes before the puck dropped, a small figure skated onto the ice and announced himself as their new goalie. His name was Eric and he was seven years old—just young enough to have never played competitive hockey before.
The Nuts were skeptical but desperate; they threw Eric into net and hoped for the best. What followed was an incredible display of skill and courage that inspired both teams to play at a higher level than any of them thought possible.
Eric made save after save, his small frame shaking with effort as he staved off shot after shot from the opposing team's powerhouse offense. With each stop he made, his confidence grew until finally, with less than two minutes left in regulation time and the score tied 1–1, Eric blocked a final shot that sealed victory for his team and sent them into playoffs!
The Friendly Nuts leapt off their benches in celebration while Eric skated around with both arms raised in triumph. He had earned the respect of his teammates and opponents alike with his unexpected heroics—and showed everyone that even with limited experience, real courage can still triumph in sports!
The END
