Serena

90s/early 00s, at some junior hockey thing. Eric’s in college and dating his future wife but not exclusively, questioning his sexuality. Brandon Wiebe is heartbroken over his teammate he was in love with. They made out drunkenly at a party and both thought the other thinks it was a mistake.

One night at the Kingfisher during Common Goal timeline when Ilya is clocking Eric’s tea Eric tells Ilya about he hooked up with a hockey player back in the day. He doesn’t say who. Ilya asks if he’s still playing, Eric says nah he’s retired.

As the audience, we already know that Ilya loves Shane because we heard him say it in Russian. But we also know that love is not enough - Shane loves Rose but they weren't compatible. Sometimes love isn't enough, for a variety of reasons.

This is why Shane and Ilya are terrified of coming to the cottage. Because we still don't know if they're compatible beyond the incredibly hot sex and psychic level hockey passes. The tuna melt date was nice before Shane crashed out, but that was just one afternoon.

"I like you" is the missing piece in their relationship. I know that I love you and I desire you and we play good hockey together, but do I like you?

The cottage scenes answer: yes. I like playing with you and I like cooking with you and I like talking to you and I like sharing space with you and I like sleeping next to you and I like waking up with you. I like you.