Chapter 13: Playoff Inferno

The Playoff Storm

The playoffs arrived like a blizzard hitting the league all at once.

Every arena was sold out.

Every game felt like war.

In Vancouver, the city turned red and black for the Grizzlies. Jerseys filled the streets. Giant screens played highlights of Alex’s overtime goal again and again.

But beneath the excitement, the danger was growing.

League security lines wrapped around every arena entrance. Bags were searched. Fans passed through metal detectors.

Nobody said it out loud.

But everyone knew why.

Hunters.

---

The New Line

Morning practice felt different.

Brody skated onto the ice with Alex and Jake during drills. The coaches had finally put them together on the same line.

Three powerful skaters.

Three dangerous forwards.

The chemistry was instant.

Jake carried the puck through the neutral zone with smooth control. Alex cut across the slot with explosive speed. Brody crashed the net like a tank.

Goal.

Then another.

The assistant coach whistled loudly.

“Okay,” he muttered. “That line stays together.”

Brody skated past Alex with a grin.

“Not bad for my first week with fangs.”

Alex chuckled.

“Still getting used to it?”

Brody flexed his gloves.

“Let’s just say I don’t get tired anymore.”

---

The Hunters Move

Across the country, far from the arenas, Victor Kane watched the broadcast from a dark office.

The television showed highlights of the Grizzlies’ new line dominating practice.

Alex.

Jake.

Brody.

Three vampires.

Kane leaned back slowly.

“They’re multiplying now,” he said.

One of his followers stepped forward.

“Orders?”

Kane smiled coldly.

“The Stanley Cup Final,” he said. “National television. Millions watching.”

He tapped the screen.

“That’s where their legend ends.”

---

Game One – Avalanche Series

The second round began in Colorado.

The arena shook with noise.

Avalanche fans stomped their feet as the puck dropped. The game started fast and physical.

Alex’s line jumped over the boards early.

Jake intercepted a pass at center ice and launched the puck forward.

Alex caught it in stride.

One defender.

A quick move to the left.

Shot.

Goal.

The crowd fell silent for half a second before exploding with boos.

Alex skated past the bench while Brody slammed his stick on the boards.

“First blood,” Brody shouted.

Jake simply nodded, calm and focused.

---

A Quiet Moment

Later that night, the team hotel was quiet.

Alex stepped onto the empty rooftop terrace.

Cold mountain air filled his lungs.

He heard footsteps behind him.

Jake.

No cameras.

No teammates.

Just them.

“You were flying tonight,” Jake said.

Alex leaned against the railing.

“I feel stronger every game.”

Jake smiled slightly.

“The change does that.”

For a moment they just stood there, looking at the city lights below.

Then Jake spoke quietly.

“If Kane attacks during the Finals… things could get ugly.”

Alex nodded.

“Then we end it before that.”

Jake turned to him.

“You mean win the Cup.”

Alex smiled.

“And stop Kane.”

---

The Message

Back in his hotel room, Alex’s phone buzzed.

A new video had been posted online.

No source.

No explanation.

Just a short clip.

Victor Kane standing in a dark arena tunnel.

Behind him hung a large banner.

STANLEY CUP FINAL

Kane looked directly into the camera.

“You think hockey is your kingdom now,” he said calmly.

“But every empire falls.”

The screen cut to black.

Then one final message appeared.

Blood Moon Game.

---

The Road Ahead

The playoffs rolled on.

The Grizzlies kept winning.

Alex’s line became the most feared unit in the league.

Fans called them The Night Line.

But every victory brought them closer to the Finals.

Closer to Kane.

Closer to whatever he was planning.

And somewhere deep down, Alex could feel it.

The real battle wasn’t just for the Stanley Cup anymore.

It was for survival.