Jessica Belmosto

The start of the hockey season feels like a million years ago. I remember sitting at Sidebar in Boston with Jess and her brother, watching the Bruins get smoked by the reigning champions. It was only one game. There were 81 games ahead of us. There’s no reason to be scared or shaken up. One game meant nothing. That’s different tonight. One game means everything.

Game seven. It’s all on the line. Someone will be crowned a winner and someone will go home with their head hung low, over analyzing their every move. The puck drops at 8, okay let’s be honestly it’ll be closer to 8:30 tonight at the TD Garden. To be quite honest, I’m sick to my stomach. I’ve never wanted a championship so bad.

This is the first championship in my lifetime that I get to watch with my dad. My dad is the one who got me into sports. He’s the one who took me to all my first games. You see, he’s worked 11-7 for basically as long as I’ve been alive. I’d either be at my mom’s or Papa’s house the night of a big game. Tonight I’ll be with my dad and brother, watching what could be our first championship as a family.

As many of you know, PUCKer UP expanded into Boston this spring. I’m lucky enough to work along side a group of young women who have work ethics of CEO’s. I’m so proud to be part of a team that values the voice of women in the game of of hockey, and sports in general. The entire organization, not just the Boston chapter, have become family. They’re like the sisters I always wanted. I write for the girls who are too afraid to put themselves out there. For the women who get shut down for even mentioning sports. For every girl who has had her knowledge questioned by a man when she mentioned her favorite team.

This Bruins team went through hell this season. From the shaky start, to injuries, and Tuukka needing some personal time. The chemistry was always there. It didn’t matter if our team was essentially an AHL team, we were still top competition.

This season was so special to me. From taking to my best friend to her first game to attending my first playoff game. I loved every single moment of this season. My heart and soul belong to this season, this team. I found so much happiness in the darkest times because of hockey. Even if they lost, I got to watch a Stanley Cup game with my boyfriend- who I met because of the Bruins. There have been more smiles than tears this season and I hope it stays that way through tonight.

One game. One goal. One winner. Let’s get that Cup.