On the day of the game, Mark DeCamilli doesn’t eat. He doesn’t drink. He watches a little TV and thinks about the game. “I start thinking about the game in the morning,” he says. “I don’t get really excited, but I’m thinking. I don’t eat ’cause that makes me bloated. You want to be light on the day of the game.”
“I really fell in love with hockey in 1980 when Team USA beat the Russians in the Olympics. That was beautiful. When it was over–and [TV announcer] Al Michaels said ‘Do you believe in miracles?’–I had chills running up my spine. I was in tears. I’d give just about anything to play for Team USA.”
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He pulls up and parks outside Cicero Stadium. There are cars and trucks lined up and down the street. “Look at the cars, man.” he says. “Pretty heavy action for a Sunday night.”
From inside comes the sound of wooden sticks whacking the rubber-coated gym floor, which is scarred black after years of play. A padded makeshift wall curves around both ends of the gym floor. There are about 40 spectators sitting in the bleachers that rise along the sides of the gym floor. They have no protection from flying pucks, though there’s a five-foot drop to the floor.
DeCamilli jumps to his feet. “That’s hockey! That’s hockey! That’s how you play hockey! Don’t make a move you don’t have to. Be patient. Let the other guy make the mistake.”
“But I’m not crying about it. Those were glory days, but I’m not on that team anymore. I called Tony, the coach of the Nordiques, and offered my services. They knew I could play. Now it’s a new challenge. Our first game of the season was against Joe’s team. They beat us 12 to 7. That was painful, but we’ll learn. I’ve tasted victory–now it’s a new challenge. It’s OK to drink the champagne, but I want to build something. I want to create a new dynasty. We’ll get there.”
DeCamilli spots Fran Poulos, his fiancee, who has just walked into the stadium. She smiles shyly. They hold hands. On the floor, the Canadiens and the Flames exchange handshakes–no high fives. Their jerseys are soaked. DeCamilli heads to the locker room to change.
