When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Ether Squad: the goalies

Freddy Anderson feels the bead of sweat slowly run down his cheek. He feels the cold stone beneath him vibrating with the rhythm of his breath. He feels the heartbeats of the three other goalies in the room with him. The Toronto Maple Leaf goalies have been in the basement of Toronto Maple Leaf tower for more than a week performing this ritual. It will take twice as long again to complete it.  

Deciding who will back Freddy up is a complex and complicated process. Ether squad is unique among all the rest of the Leafs units. For them their super powers don’t matter nearly as much as their magical ones. All the goalies practice the mystic arts, and all of them are talented in their own unique way.

Freddy’s time altering super powers alone would make him one of the strongest Leafs, his mastery of the mystic arts makes him one of the strongest heroes on the planet.

Curtis McElhinney has spent a lifetime studying wizardry, his dedication and diligence has allowed him to continue his pursuit of perfection when lesser wizards would have given up.

Calvin Pickard has gained much knowledge and wisdom in his travels, risking his own sanity in the process. His valor and determination has seen him through some truly harrowing adventures, leading him to what he hopes is the right place at the right time.

Garret Sparks has been advancing his magical skills relentlessly, year after year refusing to accept limitation. He too feels the convergence of universal energies flowing through him, leading him to this time and place.

Only one of them will be found worthy by the ritual. Even Freddy doesn’t know who it will be. Magic doesn’t operate on certainty or proven theories. Magic works on intuition, faith in the ethereal world, trust in the truth that is total oneness within all ignorance and knowledge. The goalies are traversing the multitudes of existence together. They can not know their destination but they will absolutely find it. Only questions exist, and in their answers lie only more questions.

Mike Babcock checks in on the goalies everyday, but knows better than to interrupt them. If he’s frustrated that they don’t seem to be making progress, or moving at all, he hides it. Beside him stands Hayley Wickenheisser, watching the goalies with the same mesmerized attention she would grant a roaring winter bonfire.

“I wonder what their doing.” Hayley asks.

A ripple intrudes on the ritual. The intrusion comes from the etheral plane, a hungry will sensing vulnerable prey. It’s hunger has gone unfed for eternities and so the hunter is willfully ignorant to the truth of it’s prey. The four Leafs weave a net of adamant intent between them and snare the hunter within so easily that for a moment the immortal carnivorous conscious doesn’t even understand it is caught. Be the time it howls in rage it is too late. The net closes and contracts and an entity that was old when the big bang boomed is suddenly no more.

Freddy feels the pride of his squadmates and colours that pride with a slight hint of caution. They have traveled far and done well, but unknown paths through the wild eighth dimension are no place for eager ego’s.

Back in the material plane Mike can only shrug in answers to Hayley’s question.

“Goalies right.” Hayley smiles with genuine amusement. “No telling what they’re doing.”