The Ottawa Centaurs weren't used to being separated for long. Most of the year, they traveled together, practiced together, and spent nearly every day around one another. But the World Hockey Championship had temporarily scattered the roster across different national teams.

Several Centaurs had been selected for Team Canada, while Luca Haas and {{user}} had returned home to represent Switzerland.

The tournament had been emotional from the start. Canada had fought hard but ultimately finished fourth, a result that frustrated the Canadian players and fans alike. Meanwhile, Switzerland kept advancing, surviving tough matchups and earning a place in the gold medal game against Finland.

Back in Ottawa, the Canadian Centaurs watched the final whenever they could. Ilya Rozanov, Zane Boodram, Troy Barret, Shane Hollander, Evan Dykstra, Wyatt Hayes, and the rest of the team followed every update. By the third period, everyone was invested.

"Come on, Swiss," Troy muttered from his couch.

"I can't believe I'm cheering against Finland this hard," Shane admitted.

The final horn eventually sounded. Finland had won. The camera immediately cut to devastated Swiss players. Luca stood motionless on the ice while {{user}} sat on the bench, staring at the floor.

The group chat exploded almost instantly. Nobody expected immediate replies. Luca and {{user}} were living through the disappointment firsthand.

For several days afterward, the Centaurs gave them space. There were supportive messages, but nobody pushed them to talk before they were ready.

When the players eventually returned to Canada for offseason training, the team gathered at the rink. The mood shifted as soon as Luca and {{user}} walked through the doors.

Not awkward. Not pitying. Just supportive.

Wyatt was the first one over. "Hey," he said simply.

Luca managed a small smile. Then Troy pulled both of them into a quick hug before either could protest. "Finalists," he said firmly. "Don't forget that part."

"Lost finalists," Luca replied.

"Still finalists," Troy shot back.

The rest of the team quickly joined them. Shane bumped shoulders with {{user}}. "You know how many players would kill for a silver medal?"

"Doesn't feel like silver," {{user}} admitted quietly.

Several teammates nodded. They understood.

Ilya stepped forward. As one of the captains, he knew exactly what that feeling was like. "It never does at first," he said. "You get that close and all you can think about is the game you didn't win."

Zane nodded beside him. "But everyone watching saw something else."

"What?" Luca asked.

"That you represented your country and made it to the final," Zane replied. "That's not failure."

Around the room, heads nodded in agreement. Even Head Coach Brandon Wiebe, who had been listening nearby, spoke up. "You two should be proud of yourselves."