Yesterday I tried to figure out a script for a real cheesy hockey movie. And then I came up with this idea - the team's mascot has to jump in as a coach! Haha! And not only are they winning (after som mandatory set backs, but they are winning themselves in the end, too
So I sat down and wrote down a synopsis and tried to get as many clichés as possible. Do you have your own ideas of how a hockey movie would look and if so what genre it would be in (drama, comedy, family movie, murder mystery (!). Would be fun to hear
Vancouver's coach Bob has taken the team to the playoff. And not just that. They have won the Presidents Trophy. In terms of games, it looks good with many talented players - some finesse but most of them tough guys. But the jargon in the team is tough, both among the players and also outwards where the coach Bob has ended up in the wind during the playoffs when several leaked mobile films show how he, along with the shooting guy Jake, mock fans who do not understand all the rules. The coach Bob but also several of the players have a bully attitude where money and their own fame goes first. A mobile movie also shows how they mock the 19-year-old talent Matt, who is very silent because he suffers from stuttering.
The team beats the first three teams - San Jose (4-2) and Chicago (4-1) and Calgary with (4-2). Now, Boston is waiting in the final. After winning the first three games in the Stanley Cup the players begin to be overbearing and careless. All of a sudden, the opposing team wins three games. Only one game is left of the season.
The day before the seventh game that takes place at home, Bob and the assistant coach are off at an NHL meeting held in a near by town (to increase interest in this part of the continent, among other things). The worst snowfall of the century occurs and Bob is stuck. No flight can start. The company doesn't come anywhere. They try by all means to arrange transport. In the end, they rent a helicopter that comes and fetches them in the scruffy village. But a fuel leak means that they have to go down for landing on a field not far from Vancouver. They realize that they will not be able to get to the game in time but the cold has knocked out mobiles and the radio. They quickly rush in to a farmer. The farmer is nice, a lone wolf and wants to chat. To not make him angry they are polite and they talk to him for a while before asking about a phone. It turns out that the farmer lives like it was in the nineteenth century and has never had a phone. When their radio on the helicopter starts to work again, they can only announce that they do not have time.
The final message that coach Bob will not be able to get to the game comes when it is only one hour left. The Canucks are trying to postpone the game but the Bruins refuses. They lean on a rule that says an opponent without a trainer can only postpone a game if it is done before it is two hours left for the game to start.
The players are getting ready to play the game. It is forbidden to bring in third parties. But the protagonist - the Canucks own mascot John reads the paragraphs on the mobile where he sits in the stands and learns that people who are already employees of the organization can replace. He talks to his best childhood friend who he skated with since his childhood - the Zamboni driver Nick - and they go down to the players when it is 15 minutes left to start. The players are skeptical and most negative is Jake. He gives many derogatory comments and brings with him some of the players. After a few minutes, the players vote and John's proposal win with the least possible margin as the young, silent Matt slowly and uncertainly hands up his hand. He is close to taking it down when Jake gives nasty looks but John is quick to count him in the result. Jake realizes he has lost and tries to ease the defeat. He speaks and says that they can open the door, provide I-pads and similar tasks, but "make sure you stay away, nobodys". He raises and leaves the locker room. The other players are sitting with hanging heads. The atmosphere is low in the player squad.
The final game of Stanley Cup is about to start.
The audience is expectant and the sound in the area rises for every minute ticking down.
Just before the match starts, the Toronto head judges require three names to be produced. Signatures must be five minutes before the match starts. John's forgetful, careless nephew David walks around and sells sweets among the spectators. David played goalie in the youth league but he never had the talent to get any further. He still plays as a goalie in a beer leauge. John cries out to him, he comes running, stumbles and gets soda and food on. The clock ticks down ... 5:12 ... 5:11 ... 5:10 but David just arrives to sign his name when the clock is at 5:02. In the last second, John throws a pen to him which he picks up nicely with his hand. "Good catch, David!" John says. "You would have been an excelent NHL goalie, he continues. "Yeah, sure!" says David with a smile. They get their third coach's signature. The crowd gives off a roar and many stand up, toast with their beer and scream "yeah!". David and John make a High Five.
The game is on. The three new coaches, John, Nick and David are trying to give advice here and there but no one listens. They get jokes from Jake and some other players when they stand in the way or do not have time to open the door. They give up quickly and starts just to serve the players the longer the game goes on. After two periods, it 1-3 to the Bruins. Jake complains about everything and everyone. The bad mood is spread among the squad. Someone sighs that it doesn't work without coach Bob.
The third period begins poorly. Boston scores a goal early to make it 1-4 and David looks at Jake who shouts to his own goalkeeper what a loser he is. David gets furious.
David starts talking about how he dreamed of becoming a NHL goalkeeper as a small, and winning the Stanley Cup. That he stayed in the arena after the training just to see Loungo for a short while. He continues to tell - at the same time as several of the players pretend that they are not listening, but at the same time they see how they bring in those that David says. (string music is played in the background.) David ends his two-minute speech by saying that he finally gave up his dream but that he dreams that the city will get his Stanley Cup. He concludes by saying that he may not have all the millions of dollars you, players. Im at the roughly at the same age as you, selling candy in the stands. My dream to become a NHL goalie didnt come true but you are here. You live the dream, even if you dont realize it. David gets eye contact with a player and believes he sees a change. A few seconds later, the player turns his head away with a stated look. John looks at David and to somehow mitigate David's reaction to the upcoming loss, he whispers that it may not mean that Vancouver will win the Stanley Cup this year. There will be a new season soon, he says and looks up at the match clock showing that it is only twelve minutes left. The players are getting more and more dull in their rides, Jake continues to whine at everyone but himself.
A comment from Jake when it remains seven minutes of the third period, makes John furius. After a missed shot by Matt with the puck flying up in the stands, Jake gives off a laugh, commenting on how bad he thinks Matt is, mocking his stuttering shouting to the players around him: "where did the Ppppp...uck go?". He looks around hoping for a laugh from the other players. " We cant win with theese kind of players" he shouts out. Jake continues: "Well, I dont need the Cup. Tomorrow I'm in the sun in Florida, lying on the beach and have forgotten this."
While John hears Jake talk, he sees a little boy standing at the bottom of the stand with his face pressed against the box at the booth. The tears flow slowly down the plexiglass which separates the players from the spectators. The boy's wet eyes is glittering by the spotlight while looking at John.
John is now raising his voice and getting the attention of all players. "It is possible that the world will roll on as usual tomorrow when you go back to your millionaire houses. You will probably be able to comfort yourself if it is in Hawaii or Florida (he looks at Jake). But the little boy's tears will never drought (now he nods towards the boy and the players are all turning to where they are in the booth). For a nine-year-old boy it is an eternity until the next season, and if you do not take the chance now you may never get it back. Play - and play - not for the team, not for your wives and not for your own sake - but for the little guy (he points away towards the boy who has now ceased to cry and looks big-eyed at what is happening) and all other guys-regardless of age and no matter the gender. All the guys that is waiting around the world for the first victory (he raises his voice) "Go out and play for them!"
It's just silent for a second, the players look at each other and then lift all the clubs toward the sky and scream "Yeah". Even Jake lifts the club although hesitantly. John looks at the boy who gives a smile with a closed mouth. His yes are still sad. He slowly takes his hand up and holds up his thumb. John smiles and does the same.
The game continues. Almost immediately, they reduce to 2-4 and shortly after that they get another goal. The clock is at 18:05 and the score is 3-4. The seconds are ticking off. Should it just be an honorable loss or will they be able to take the match and the entire series to overtime? John feels the doubt over him. Nick and David pushes the players. The match clock is at 19:20 and its a faceoff in the Canucks zone. John looks at the boy and understands that he is betraying the boy. He shakes his head. Nick shouts to the referee: "Time out!" Players gather around Nick and David.
John sits down on the bench. He feels tired. The sound in the area begins to decrease. He ends up in a bubble silence. He sees how the audience stands up and cheers, he sees how Nick's mouth moves and how he points to different parts of the ice - but he hears nothing. Everything seems to go in slow motion. The only thing he hears is a weak voice that seems to be far away. It's a thin, bright voice. It gets stronger and stronger. Now he also begins to discern some words. "T .... on d ...., John" Suddenly he looks away at the boy and how he screams out: "Put on the mascot costume, John! Fin the Whale can win this!" He gets eye contact with the boy who continues: "I know we can do it!" "Fin the Whale can make it happen!" Quickly John throws himself over his mascot costume. The game has started. The clock ticks down. 24 seconds left. He's wearing it in no time. The familiar sound from Fin the Whale begins to echo throughout the arena. He starts shouting "Go, Canucks! Go, Canucks."
He sees how Matt gets the puck. He seems exhausted. Matt looks up and for a moment their eyes meet. John shouts: "Go Matt. You can do it!" When Matt glances at John's eyes behind Fin the Whale, something sparkles. He flies down toward the opponent's goal. Two seconds remain of the match when Matt sets up the puck in the net roof. The joy is huge throughout the hall.
But still - nothing is won.
The overtime period begins. Boston has several shots on goal and the audience, Nick, David, John and the boy are screaming in despair as they see one shot after the other loosens toward goals. Suddenly, Jake gets the puck and breaks out from his own zone. He sails down to Boston´s goal but ends up in a bad angle. Matt is completely alone in front of goal. He has the perfect position - only if he could get the puck. Matt had never said a word to Jake. Not in the dressing room, not on training and above all never in a match. Matt knows he stems and Jake usually makes fun of him when he ever tries to say something. But Matt knows something within him. Something that has changed. He tries to shout: J..j...j...Jake! He stems the name so silently that no one hears him. But he shouts again: Jake !! Jake !!! His voice is loud and strong. In the booth John and Nick look at each other in surprise.
But everyone knows that Jake will still shoot. Rather, he misses than to pass the puck. That's how he usually reason, you hear how people whisper in the stands. Jake looks up at Matt but then turns his eyes toward the goalkeeper and the little gap that is between him and the post. Jake slides farther out of angle. The whole crowd keeps their breath. Jake keeps an eye on the goalkeeper. When everyone expects a shot, Jake puts a perfect fit against Matt. Matt just has to put the club behind and the puck goes into the half of the goal that the goalkeeper has been forced to leave open. The sound in the hall is deafening. Everyone stands up and screams straight out. Nick and David hug and jump at the same time. The boy's eyes are tear-filled again, but this time it is lucky tears. John puts his hand against the plexiglass that separates them and the boy does the same. Matt stretches his arms in the air and sees how Jake skates towards him. He smiles as he approaches Matt and they embrace each other. Jake says: I hope that assist is enough to make up for all the stupid things I've said. You are a good player, a good teammate...and a good human being." Matt tries to say something: "T ... t ... thank you, Jjjj... ake." Jake smiles back at him. Matt almost immediately says it again but now with another flow: "Thank you, Jake!"
Hats, paper and other fly down to the ice. All players skates around the ice, full of joy. The audience cheers gets higher and higher: Go Canucks! Go Canucks!
John feels a knock on his back. He turns around. There is Bob. John suddenly becomes nervous. Then Bob bursts out in a smile: "You did that well! I think I should have a conversation with the owner about the next season. And by the way - Ive been a jerk. You showed med how to really be a coach."
John smiles back at him.
John then looks out over the ice and sees how Jake pats the goalkeeper. Matt is hailed by the audience and the little boy has been raised by his father who, together with his son, joins the audience's chanting: "Go Canucks! Go, Canucks!" "Wee did it!" "Weee did it!"
John laughs inside and says quietly to himself. "Yes.Thats right. We did it ..."
So I sat down and wrote down a synopsis and tried to get as many clichés as possible. Do you have your own ideas of how a hockey movie would look and if so what genre it would be in (drama, comedy, family movie, murder mystery (!). Would be fun to hear
Vancouver's coach Bob has taken the team to the playoff. And not just that. They have won the Presidents Trophy. In terms of games, it looks good with many talented players - some finesse but most of them tough guys. But the jargon in the team is tough, both among the players and also outwards where the coach Bob has ended up in the wind during the playoffs when several leaked mobile films show how he, along with the shooting guy Jake, mock fans who do not understand all the rules. The coach Bob but also several of the players have a bully attitude where money and their own fame goes first. A mobile movie also shows how they mock the 19-year-old talent Matt, who is very silent because he suffers from stuttering.
The team beats the first three teams - San Jose (4-2) and Chicago (4-1) and Calgary with (4-2). Now, Boston is waiting in the final. After winning the first three games in the Stanley Cup the players begin to be overbearing and careless. All of a sudden, the opposing team wins three games. Only one game is left of the season.
The day before the seventh game that takes place at home, Bob and the assistant coach are off at an NHL meeting held in a near by town (to increase interest in this part of the continent, among other things). The worst snowfall of the century occurs and Bob is stuck. No flight can start. The company doesn't come anywhere. They try by all means to arrange transport. In the end, they rent a helicopter that comes and fetches them in the scruffy village. But a fuel leak means that they have to go down for landing on a field not far from Vancouver. They realize that they will not be able to get to the game in time but the cold has knocked out mobiles and the radio. They quickly rush in to a farmer. The farmer is nice, a lone wolf and wants to chat. To not make him angry they are polite and they talk to him for a while before asking about a phone. It turns out that the farmer lives like it was in the nineteenth century and has never had a phone. When their radio on the helicopter starts to work again, they can only announce that they do not have time.
The final message that coach Bob will not be able to get to the game comes when it is only one hour left. The Canucks are trying to postpone the game but the Bruins refuses. They lean on a rule that says an opponent without a trainer can only postpone a game if it is done before it is two hours left for the game to start.
The players are getting ready to play the game. It is forbidden to bring in third parties. But the protagonist - the Canucks own mascot John reads the paragraphs on the mobile where he sits in the stands and learns that people who are already employees of the organization can replace. He talks to his best childhood friend who he skated with since his childhood - the Zamboni driver Nick - and they go down to the players when it is 15 minutes left to start. The players are skeptical and most negative is Jake. He gives many derogatory comments and brings with him some of the players. After a few minutes, the players vote and John's proposal win with the least possible margin as the young, silent Matt slowly and uncertainly hands up his hand. He is close to taking it down when Jake gives nasty looks but John is quick to count him in the result. Jake realizes he has lost and tries to ease the defeat. He speaks and says that they can open the door, provide I-pads and similar tasks, but "make sure you stay away, nobodys". He raises and leaves the locker room. The other players are sitting with hanging heads. The atmosphere is low in the player squad.
The final game of Stanley Cup is about to start.
The audience is expectant and the sound in the area rises for every minute ticking down.
Just before the match starts, the Toronto head judges require three names to be produced. Signatures must be five minutes before the match starts. John's forgetful, careless nephew David walks around and sells sweets among the spectators. David played goalie in the youth league but he never had the talent to get any further. He still plays as a goalie in a beer leauge. John cries out to him, he comes running, stumbles and gets soda and food on. The clock ticks down ... 5:12 ... 5:11 ... 5:10 but David just arrives to sign his name when the clock is at 5:02. In the last second, John throws a pen to him which he picks up nicely with his hand. "Good catch, David!" John says. "You would have been an excelent NHL goalie, he continues. "Yeah, sure!" says David with a smile. They get their third coach's signature. The crowd gives off a roar and many stand up, toast with their beer and scream "yeah!". David and John make a High Five.
The game is on. The three new coaches, John, Nick and David are trying to give advice here and there but no one listens. They get jokes from Jake and some other players when they stand in the way or do not have time to open the door. They give up quickly and starts just to serve the players the longer the game goes on. After two periods, it 1-3 to the Bruins. Jake complains about everything and everyone. The bad mood is spread among the squad. Someone sighs that it doesn't work without coach Bob.
The third period begins poorly. Boston scores a goal early to make it 1-4 and David looks at Jake who shouts to his own goalkeeper what a loser he is. David gets furious.
David starts talking about how he dreamed of becoming a NHL goalkeeper as a small, and winning the Stanley Cup. That he stayed in the arena after the training just to see Loungo for a short while. He continues to tell - at the same time as several of the players pretend that they are not listening, but at the same time they see how they bring in those that David says. (string music is played in the background.) David ends his two-minute speech by saying that he finally gave up his dream but that he dreams that the city will get his Stanley Cup. He concludes by saying that he may not have all the millions of dollars you, players. Im at the roughly at the same age as you, selling candy in the stands. My dream to become a NHL goalie didnt come true but you are here. You live the dream, even if you dont realize it. David gets eye contact with a player and believes he sees a change. A few seconds later, the player turns his head away with a stated look. John looks at David and to somehow mitigate David's reaction to the upcoming loss, he whispers that it may not mean that Vancouver will win the Stanley Cup this year. There will be a new season soon, he says and looks up at the match clock showing that it is only twelve minutes left. The players are getting more and more dull in their rides, Jake continues to whine at everyone but himself.
A comment from Jake when it remains seven minutes of the third period, makes John furius. After a missed shot by Matt with the puck flying up in the stands, Jake gives off a laugh, commenting on how bad he thinks Matt is, mocking his stuttering shouting to the players around him: "where did the Ppppp...uck go?". He looks around hoping for a laugh from the other players. " We cant win with theese kind of players" he shouts out. Jake continues: "Well, I dont need the Cup. Tomorrow I'm in the sun in Florida, lying on the beach and have forgotten this."
While John hears Jake talk, he sees a little boy standing at the bottom of the stand with his face pressed against the box at the booth. The tears flow slowly down the plexiglass which separates the players from the spectators. The boy's wet eyes is glittering by the spotlight while looking at John.
John is now raising his voice and getting the attention of all players. "It is possible that the world will roll on as usual tomorrow when you go back to your millionaire houses. You will probably be able to comfort yourself if it is in Hawaii or Florida (he looks at Jake). But the little boy's tears will never drought (now he nods towards the boy and the players are all turning to where they are in the booth). For a nine-year-old boy it is an eternity until the next season, and if you do not take the chance now you may never get it back. Play - and play - not for the team, not for your wives and not for your own sake - but for the little guy (he points away towards the boy who has now ceased to cry and looks big-eyed at what is happening) and all other guys-regardless of age and no matter the gender. All the guys that is waiting around the world for the first victory (he raises his voice) "Go out and play for them!"
It's just silent for a second, the players look at each other and then lift all the clubs toward the sky and scream "Yeah". Even Jake lifts the club although hesitantly. John looks at the boy who gives a smile with a closed mouth. His yes are still sad. He slowly takes his hand up and holds up his thumb. John smiles and does the same.
The game continues. Almost immediately, they reduce to 2-4 and shortly after that they get another goal. The clock is at 18:05 and the score is 3-4. The seconds are ticking off. Should it just be an honorable loss or will they be able to take the match and the entire series to overtime? John feels the doubt over him. Nick and David pushes the players. The match clock is at 19:20 and its a faceoff in the Canucks zone. John looks at the boy and understands that he is betraying the boy. He shakes his head. Nick shouts to the referee: "Time out!" Players gather around Nick and David.
John sits down on the bench. He feels tired. The sound in the area begins to decrease. He ends up in a bubble silence. He sees how the audience stands up and cheers, he sees how Nick's mouth moves and how he points to different parts of the ice - but he hears nothing. Everything seems to go in slow motion. The only thing he hears is a weak voice that seems to be far away. It's a thin, bright voice. It gets stronger and stronger. Now he also begins to discern some words. "T .... on d ...., John" Suddenly he looks away at the boy and how he screams out: "Put on the mascot costume, John! Fin the Whale can win this!" He gets eye contact with the boy who continues: "I know we can do it!" "Fin the Whale can make it happen!" Quickly John throws himself over his mascot costume. The game has started. The clock ticks down. 24 seconds left. He's wearing it in no time. The familiar sound from Fin the Whale begins to echo throughout the arena. He starts shouting "Go, Canucks! Go, Canucks."
He sees how Matt gets the puck. He seems exhausted. Matt looks up and for a moment their eyes meet. John shouts: "Go Matt. You can do it!" When Matt glances at John's eyes behind Fin the Whale, something sparkles. He flies down toward the opponent's goal. Two seconds remain of the match when Matt sets up the puck in the net roof. The joy is huge throughout the hall.
But still - nothing is won.
The overtime period begins. Boston has several shots on goal and the audience, Nick, David, John and the boy are screaming in despair as they see one shot after the other loosens toward goals. Suddenly, Jake gets the puck and breaks out from his own zone. He sails down to Boston´s goal but ends up in a bad angle. Matt is completely alone in front of goal. He has the perfect position - only if he could get the puck. Matt had never said a word to Jake. Not in the dressing room, not on training and above all never in a match. Matt knows he stems and Jake usually makes fun of him when he ever tries to say something. But Matt knows something within him. Something that has changed. He tries to shout: J..j...j...Jake! He stems the name so silently that no one hears him. But he shouts again: Jake !! Jake !!! His voice is loud and strong. In the booth John and Nick look at each other in surprise.
But everyone knows that Jake will still shoot. Rather, he misses than to pass the puck. That's how he usually reason, you hear how people whisper in the stands. Jake looks up at Matt but then turns his eyes toward the goalkeeper and the little gap that is between him and the post. Jake slides farther out of angle. The whole crowd keeps their breath. Jake keeps an eye on the goalkeeper. When everyone expects a shot, Jake puts a perfect fit against Matt. Matt just has to put the club behind and the puck goes into the half of the goal that the goalkeeper has been forced to leave open. The sound in the hall is deafening. Everyone stands up and screams straight out. Nick and David hug and jump at the same time. The boy's eyes are tear-filled again, but this time it is lucky tears. John puts his hand against the plexiglass that separates them and the boy does the same. Matt stretches his arms in the air and sees how Jake skates towards him. He smiles as he approaches Matt and they embrace each other. Jake says: I hope that assist is enough to make up for all the stupid things I've said. You are a good player, a good teammate...and a good human being." Matt tries to say something: "T ... t ... thank you, Jjjj... ake." Jake smiles back at him. Matt almost immediately says it again but now with another flow: "Thank you, Jake!"
Hats, paper and other fly down to the ice. All players skates around the ice, full of joy. The audience cheers gets higher and higher: Go Canucks! Go Canucks!
John feels a knock on his back. He turns around. There is Bob. John suddenly becomes nervous. Then Bob bursts out in a smile: "You did that well! I think I should have a conversation with the owner about the next season. And by the way - Ive been a jerk. You showed med how to really be a coach."
John smiles back at him.
John then looks out over the ice and sees how Jake pats the goalkeeper. Matt is hailed by the audience and the little boy has been raised by his father who, together with his son, joins the audience's chanting: "Go Canucks! Go, Canucks!" "Wee did it!" "Weee did it!"
John laughs inside and says quietly to himself. "Yes.Thats right. We did it ..."
