Christian "Magic" Magdziuk is a minor league hockey player with dreams of heading to the NHL someday, and he'll do whatever it takes to make that dream come true. So he only plays with the Richmond Rebels for one short season before he asks to be traded to the Bedford Blizzard, a farm team for the American Hockey League where he might get a little more notice from scouts.<br><br>His attitude on the ice left him few friends among the Rebels ... that is, until teammate Ronnie took a liking to him. One thing led to another and the two men became lovers during the time Christian played with the team. But when he transferred to the Blizzard, he left the Rebels -- and Ronnie -- behind.<br><br>Now it's the first game of a new season, and he's facing off against his former teammates in the season opener. But does something still smolder between Christian and Ronnie after all this time?

Playing the Field: Faceoff

Christian’s first game with the Rebels had been against the Portsmouth Patriots,a low-ranking team they beat without trying.It was Christian’s first real hockey game,not counting those he’d played while in college or in amateur leagues.His first professionalgame.Hearing his name called out across the ice as he sank puck after puck stirred in him thoughts of greatness.This was where he needed to be,here.This was the game he was meant to play.


One clear thought rang through him as he had skated off the ice after scoring the final goal of the game.Gretzky,move over.It’s time for some Magic in the majors.


After practice games,the team usually went out to an early dinner at Mulligan’s,the nearby sports bar.During NHL season,one of the guys might invite the others over to watch the game—usually Eric,whose giant,flat-screen TV and decked-out home bar always made Christian think the guy was trying to compensate for inadequacies in other areas of his life.


Chapter 3