Chapter 18: Hunter's Gambit

Stanley Cup Final – Game Three in Vancouver

Rogers Arena felt like the center of the hockey world.

Nineteen thousand Vancouver fans packed the building wall to wall, wearing green jerseys and waving Grizzlies flags. The noise rolled through the arena in waves.

“Grizz-lies! Grizz-lies!”

Toronto supporters were there too, but they were swallowed by the sea of green. A small cluster of red jerseys sat high in the upper deck, shouting back defiantly.

The Grizzlies stepped onto the ice with a 2–0 series lead.

One more win tonight and Toronto would be staring at elimination.

Alex skated out first for warmups, the bright arena lights reflecting off his visor. Brody followed beside him, and the crowd roared even louder when the two tapped sticks.

Jake watched from a secure suite high above the rink. Officially he was still suspended and “away from team activity,” but everyone who mattered knew the truth.

The Night Line had changed the playoffs.

Alex.

Jake.

Brody.

Three players who moved across the ice faster than anyone could explain.

---

The Game Explodes

The puck dropped and Toronto came out desperate.

Their captain won the faceoff clean and the Leafs rushed the zone immediately. A quick pass slipped through traffic and their winger snapped a shot past Vancouver’s goalie.

Goal.

1–0 Leafs.

The Toronto bench erupted.

But Vancouver answered quickly.

Brody intercepted a pass along the boards with lightning speed and flipped the puck forward. Alex caught it perfectly in stride.

One defender tried to close the gap.

Alex shifted the puck to the backhand, spun past him, and fired top shelf.

Goal.

Rogers Arena exploded.

The sound shook the glass behind the nets as fans jumped to their feet.

“Thorne! Thorne! Thorne!”

Brody laughed as he skated past.

“Still too fast for them.”

---

Power Play Pressure

Midway through the first period, Toronto took a penalty after slamming Brody hard into the boards.

The crowd booed loudly.

The Grizzlies power play unit jumped over the boards.

Jake watched carefully from above as the puck moved quickly around the zone.

Brody waited near the circle.

Then he fired a perfect saucer pass.

Alex didn’t hesitate.

His stick cracked against the puck.

Goal.

2–1 Vancouver.

The crowd roared again, louder than before.

---

A Fight Breaks Out

The second period turned rough.

Toronto’s enforcer lined Alex up near center ice and dropped his gloves.

Alex didn’t hesitate.

The two players circled briefly before the Leafs winger swung a heavy punch.

Alex dodged smoothly and countered with two quick hits that snapped the other player’s head back.

The crowd gasped.

The enforcer stumbled to the ice.

Referees rushed in to separate them while the arena chanted Alex’s name.

Jake watched from the suite, shaking his head with a smile.

“Always dramatic,” he muttered.

---

Overtime Drama

The game stayed tight through the third period.

Toronto managed to tie it 3–3 after a chaotic rebound in front of the net.

When overtime began, every fan in the arena stood.

The tension felt electric.

Minutes passed with both teams trading chances.

Then Alex broke free down the wing.

He faked a shot, cut toward the crease, and slipped the puck between the goalie’s pads.

Goal.

Rogers Arena erupted again.

The Grizzlies had won Game Three.

Series score: 3–0 Vancouver.

---

Trouble in the Stands

As the players celebrated, sudden chaos erupted in the upper levels.

A flare ignited near Section 312, filling the air with thick smoke.

Fans scrambled away while security rushed toward the disturbance.

Four men were dragged from the crowd.

Hidden beneath their jackets were compact crossbows and sharpened wooden stakes.

One shouted as he was taken away.

“Kane sends his regards!”

The celebration quieted quickly as police escorted the hunters out of the building.

---

After the Game

Later that night, Alex met Jake briefly in the quiet loading area beneath the arena.

The noise of the crowd still echoed faintly above them.

Jake stepped forward and pulled him into a quick embrace.

“Three wins,” Jake said quietly.

Alex nodded.

“One more.”

Jake glanced back toward the arena entrance where security lights flashed.

“Kane’s getting desperate.”

Alex looked up at the night sky above Vancouver.

The moon hung bright over the city.

“Then we finish this,” he said.

---

The Headlines

The next morning, sports networks across the world exploded with coverage.

GRIZZLIES LEAD SERIES 3–0

ALEX THORNE DOMINATES AGAIN

NHL RATINGS BREAK RECORDS

Victor Kane posted another message online, warning that the “real battle” would happen under the coming blood moon.

The league responded by doubling drone patrols over arenas and installing official blood storage stations for vampire athletes.

The Stanley Cup Final had become the most watched event in hockey history.

---

Looking Ahead

Game Four would return to Toronto.

The Maple Leafs were desperate to survive.

Hunters were still hiding among the crowds.

And somewhere in the shadows, Victor Kane continued preparing for the moment he believed would end everything.

But inside the Grizzlies locker room, the mood was simple.

One more win.

One more night on the ice.

And the Stanley Cup would finally belong to Vancouver.