Every hockey player dreams of one day playing for the Stanley Cup from the first time they lace up the skates.
Pretending to amongst the Game 7 euphoria is a national pastime like no other. They simulate said scenario every time they touch the ice be it at a youth hockey practice, a local pond hockey game or shooting pucks in their home driveways.
Charlie Coyle first dreamt of that Game 7 scenario while playing street hockey with his childhood friends in Weymouth. He envisioned himself scoring the game-winner for his Boston Bruins while providing his own play-by-play commentary for his heroic moment in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
“I was myself, you always envision yourself trying to get there one day, make believe you are actually playing and all that so that’s how I went about it,” Coyle said following Tuesday’s practice. “We played street hockey in front of my house with my neighbors or my buddy’s cousins. You play best of seven series, whenever it said Game 7 there was a lot of hacking and whacking.”
“You were the announcer, but make believe you weren’t the announcer,” Coyle added. “It’s just weird looking back. You do all of that, I’m sure most guys did. Just re-enact certain scenarios and plays and hope that one day it comes true.”
Coyle, living out his dream of playing for his hometown hockey club, now has a chance to turn those imaginary moments into reality come Wednesday night when he laces up his skates for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
“Thinking back to those moments and actually being here,” Coyle said, “you just want to make sure you make the most of it and have some fun along the way.”
It’s not far fetched envisioning Coyle as the hometown hero. He’s one Boston’s most productive two-way postseason performers, notching 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists) in 23 games. Coyle and the Bruins are set to host Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in their 96-year existence. 5
The NHL season comes down to one final game. It will be something that Coyle and his teammates will remember for the rest of their lives.
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