#nhl chowder

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chris chow/caitlin farmer

EBUG: (n) Hockey slang for "Emergency Backup Goalie". The NHL requires every team to have an Emergency Backup Goalie on call in case a goalie on the home or visiting team can't play. And for the San Jose Sharks? The EBUG is Chris Chow.

This is going to come with NHL Chowder after a game in NYC. IDK why. Hope you like.

Chris has a beer waiting for him when Nursey finally gets to the bar. He slides into the booth and Chris punches him, then gives him a tight side-hug. “What took you so long?”

“Some of us have to take the subway,” Nursey says. “Because we are poor starving artists.” Nursey’s book is longlisted for the National Book Award. 

Chris snorts.

Nursey elbows him. “Good game, bro.”

“Thanks!” Chris frowns. “I keep thinking of things I could do better.”

“I will make you buy me another drink, so help me God. That’s the goalie coach’s job.”

“You should buy me another drink anyway,” Chris says, and holds up his empty glass.

There’s a redhead at the bar, with a butt you could bounce a coin off and shoulders that span miles. “’Scuse me,” Nursey says, and elbows in beside him. The redhead glares.

Nursey ignores him and orders a beer and a shot for Chris. The bartender hands the redhead his order–bourbon, neat. Nursey tries to keep his eyebrow to himself.

“What?” the redhead asks.

Nursey looks away, gets his drinks, and goes back to Chris.

“You met Will!” Chris says happily.

“Who?”

“Dex. My new best friend. My other best friend,” Chris adds with drunken compassion. “You’ll always be my first best friend.”

“I don’t know about met,” Nursey says, and then Will sits down at their table.

“Dexy!” Chris beams. “This is Derek. Nursey. Derek Nurse. We played college hockey together.”

“Poindexter,” Will says, and holds out his hand.

Nursey can’t help snorting with laughter. He shakes Dex’s hand. “Good game tonight.” Up close, he can finally place him. #24, the one who had the fight in the third period.

“Could have been better,” Dex says.

“What, is this the be-down-on-yourselves table?” Nursey scoffs. “That was a beautiful punch.”

“Fight me, you attractive stranger,” Dex deadpans, and then they both crack up laughing.