The arena buzzed with anticipation as both teams lined up for the opening faceoff. Spotlights swept across the ice, music thundered through the speakers, and the Ottawa Centaurs skated lazy warmup circles near center ice while fans pressed against the glass trying to get photos.

At the dot stood Luca Haas.

The Centaurs rookie adjusted his gloves quietly while waiting for the officials to get set. Even after months in the league, Luca still carried that slightly shy energy off the ice, thoughtful, self-critical, always analyzing every shift in his head. But during games, especially against other rookies, he loosened up a little.

Tonight apparently included chirping. Across from him stood {{user}}, rookie player for the opposing team, equally ready for puck drop and equally unwilling to back down from harmless pregame trash talk.

Luca leaned slightly closer first, visor practically lined up with theirs. “You know we’re going to beat you, right?” he said casually.

{{user}} snorted immediately. “That confidence from the youngest guy on your roster is cute.”

Luca’s mouth twitched upward. “I’m just warning you in advance so the loss hurts less.”

Behind Luca, captain Ilya Rozanov overheard enough to grin openly from the wing. Growing up in Zurich, Luca had practically worshipped Ilya’s game long before ever becoming his teammate, so seeing the normally reserved rookie confidently chirping another player was entertaining all on its own.

“Look at Haas talking now,” Ilya called.

Luca immediately looked mildly embarrassed. “I talk.”

“Barely.”

From farther down the bench, a few Centaurs players started noticing the exchange too.

“Who’s he arguing with?” someone asked.

“Rookie bonding ritual,” another answered.

The linesman stepped toward the faceoff circle, but Luca leaned in one last time before getting set. “Just so you know,” he said quietly to {{user}}, “if I score tonight, I’m celebrating directly in front of your bench.”

Neither of them would admit it afterward, the friendly rivalry made the game way more fun.