An Ode to Slapping Shots

The swish and crunch
of ice under skates,
scratching the skin of a rink.

A snow dust stop.

Winding in noiseless space,
then a slap
and a boom as the puck hits the pad
reverberating.

Bloodied and bruised
they batter the puck around the boards,
sticks clacking,
until kicked, shot,
and rocketed through the air.