Fang Snake grabbed the puck, turned to the opposing team's net and headed at full speed for it. He dodged and swerved around Allie Otter, passed Maurice Raccoon and pulled back the tip of his tail for the shot.

 His tail hit the puck and, spinning, it slid toward the net. The goalie, Eldon Muskrat, reached to stop it, but the puck slid under his paw.

 "He scores!" yelled the announcer, Gerry Gerbil. The ice area went wild.

 Fang Snake, of the Colorado Avalanche, held his stick high as he received slaps on the back from his teammates.

 Tonight was the final game in the series. When the lights went down, one team would leave the winner, the other would be second.

 The series had been a tough one. The goalies had saved shot after shot, while the players had covered the ice surface thousands of times.

 "Go team go," yelled the Colorado Avalanche's cheerleaders.

 "We're number 1," yelled the Buffalo Sabres' cheerleaders.

 In the stands were brisk sales of popcorn and nuts. Some animals had their fur dyed purple for the Avalanche, while the others had blue for Buffalo.

 The game was down to the last period with the score 4-3 for Buffalo. If Colorado were to win, two goals had to be scored and no pucks from the other side could cross the score line.

 Time out was called and the coach went over a couple game plays. The team listened intently.

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 "Go guys!" said the coach. The guys huddled around him and slapped sticks.

 It seemed like a miracle when Dennis Horse got the puck right away and tore down the ice. When the puck slid across the line for a goal, the arena erupted in shouts.

 The score was tied!

 The next few minutes were tense as the puck went from one end to the other. Both teams were playing tight, defending their net. The next goal would win as the time trickled away.

 Fang stole the puck and once more headed to the other end of the arena. His heart pounded in his chest. Could he score the winning goal?

 It seemed like everything was in slow motion as Fang whipped by the other players. He figured he had a clear shot, when suddenly Smokey Wolf of the Buffalo Sabres skated out in front of him.

 Smokey was a large wolf and the look on his face was one of pure determination.

 "You're not getting through me," said Smokey smiling, showing the gap where he had lost a tooth in the game before.

 Smokey would be like a brick wall to hit, but Fang had an idea. He quickly ducked his head, curled up and slid between Smokey's legs.

 The arena was going wild as Fang headed for the net with Smokey hot in pursuit.

 Smokey hit the ice and slid into Fang knocking him over. The puck skidded on the ice suspended between the two. Fang stretched as far as he could and flicked the puck.

 Everyone held their breath as the puck spun. Smokey tried to grab it as well as the goalie. For the goalie, it was not to be as the puck crossed the line for a goal.

 Avalanche win!

 Fang pulled himself to an upright position as Smokey did too. Each nodded to each other recognizing a job well done.

 Question about the story: When Smokey opened his mouth, what could you see that he lost during the last game?

 Winners:  Brendan and Katie of Hebbville Academy were part of a pizza party at their school.

 Send answers to Storytime, c/o Verna Dunlop, RR#1 Moser River, NS B0J 2K0 or e-mail the answer to the question to vernadunlop@yahoo.com. Prizes will be sent to those sending in answers.

posted on 05/12/09