COACH COLIN: Previously on The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers...
It's been an exciting time at EPIC.
One of these two teams is gonna be playing in the Summer Showcase.
We'll send a big combo team. Dominate and the Ducks.
These are performance bands. They track active minutes, muscle mass.
What else does it measure? It doesn't measure humanity, or heart.
- Alex, this is sports. We play to win. - You can't win summer.
All the pressure that my dad put on me
made me choke in the biggest game of my life
and now I have a glitch in my shot.
I know I've been putting way too much pressure on you. I'm sorry.
And I gotta start doing a better job.
(ALL CHEERING)
- NHL prospects are on a different tier. - You're saying I have a ceiling?
A bus load of elite Canadian teams just arrived in LA
for the Summer Showcase. Their coach is asking for our roster.
MAN: Hey, Coach. The roster from EPIC just came in.
Evan Morrow?
I gotta cut you.
You got to be kidding me.
(ALL CLAMORING)
Did you see the list of scouts at the Showcase?
- It's insane. - I know. All these colleges.
- USA Hockey. - Four NHL teams.
I feel like I'm fulfilling a destiny that was written for me before I was born.
That's how I feel when I finish a hard Lego.
- Over here! Come on. - GERTIE: What are they playing?
I believe it's yam hockey.
Do it. Block it.
- Oh! - Yeah! All right.
- Team meeting. What's up, Koob? -"What's up?"
This is the last team meeting of the summer. It all ends on Sunday.
- Speaking of, can you sign this for me? - Yeah, sure.
Okay, thank you. Sof, can I get you?
- Yeah. - JACE: I'm open. I'm open.
What do you think about Jace in the Showcase?
He melted down last time and I just hope he's ready for all of this.
Yeah. Okay, just don't write all that when you sign it.
- Right, okay. - Keep it upbeat.
All right, listen up.
- So we're going to the Summer Showcase. - ALL: Yeah!
(APPLAUDING)
Yes. This is what we've been waiting for, right?
We're gonna be playing at the Anaheim Ducks' practice facility, which is cool.
And with the way we all came together, I made the decision
that we are gonna play under the Ducks' name.
- What? Yeah. - All right!
I usually play under an animal that is higher up on the food chain, but okay.
I'll take it.
I look forward to coaching this game more than anything,
but this year I'm gonna take a step back.
Coach Alex is gonna take the helm this year.
- PLAYERS: What? - And I'm just gonna go as a dad.
(ALL CLAPPING)
- All right. - Yeah, Mom.
- You got this! - Okay.
Hey. Well, that was a surprise.
Are you really serious about the not coaching thing?
I am.
I had a breakthrough with Jace
and I just feel like he needs me as a dad right now.
I don't wanna blow it. I don't want to put any more pressure on him.
That's so great. I bet that was a really hard decision to make.
Nah. It was easy.
Okay, it was hard. It was really hard.
And I hate that Canadian team and I want to beat them so bad,
but I don't know how to be a dad at a game, and I need your help.
You want me to walk you through how to be a dad at a game?
- Yeah, that's right. - Okay. That's easy. First you wear khakis.
- I don't have khakis. - It's okay.
So, dads wear whatever. You know, they just throw something on.
Like somebody threw up on you. What do you have like that?
I have a sweatshirt. I could just throw this on.
Dads wear these all the time.
Yeah, you look fantastic. That's not gonna work.
Okay. I got this.
It's shockingly better, even.
All right. Let's talk about how dads act.
Okay, so the game is over and you go down to the ice and you say, "Good game."
What if we lose the game?
Then you get to the ice faster and you say "Great game. You'll get them next time."
You take a lot of pictures, more than anyone will look at,
get your parking validated. That's it.
- Can I bring my whistle? - Oh, boy.
Hello, you sleek modern temple of sport.
I'm running!
Ow.
I'm okay. Move out. Move out.
I've never seen a trophy that wasn't the head of an animal before.
Well, let's bag it.
All right, guys. We've got this. We are ready.
Just one more thing.
What's up, guys? I'm Cam.
That's Cam Fowler. He's on the Anaheim Ducks.
Yeah, we met some Anaheim Ducks before.
They're nice. Good peeps. Put it here, my guy. Yeah.
Cam is here today because the Ducks' organization
has made us something super special.
ALL: Whoa!
That says Morrow, 'cause that's my last name, on a pro jersey.
Thank you so much!
- Yeah! - ALL: Yeah!
We made these for all you guys. Good luck out there.
Yeah!
- Yeah! - Yeah. How cool was that?
- I have a feeling we're gonna nail it. - Yeah, definitely.
ALEX: Besides, they're from Canada.
How bad can they be, huh? They're the most polite people alive.
They'll be like, "Sorry. Sorry about the hip check."
- Coach T, what the hell? - Alex Morrow.
I see you're still rocking the hair.
This is so weird. Why are you coaching Canada?
It seems after you stole our name in that unsanctioned underground game last year,
I reacted in a way that was deemed inappropriate.
Yes, as I remember it you tipped over the towel bins, stormed out of the arena,
and ripped a doorbell off the wall, and said, "This is mine."
After that game, my life kind of took a bit of a turn.
I got blackballed from youth hockey in Minnesota
and couldn't find another job, so out of options, I went to Canada.
And everything is just a little bit different in Canada.
The bacon is just a little bit thicker.
The coins a little bit thinner.
And you think, "Well, I'll get used to it," but you know what?
You don't.
I had to leave my entire life in the States behind,
both moms I was dating, so I'm just here to tell you.
When we win today, I'll finally have my sweet revenge.
I feel bad saying this because it seems like you're in kind of a fragile place,
but I don't know if today's game is gonna turn out the way you think.
All right, Ducks. Move on. (CLICKS TONGUE)
And you, I hold you the most accountable.
I see your face every time I have to cut my bacon with a knife and fork.
Look, I don't know what to tell you.
Underground or not, we won that game fair and square.
Mmm-hmm. You can act all tough, but I know who you really are.
You're just a little kid who thinks he's good at hockey,
who I had to drop from my team.
And it's payback time.
Guys, this is the last time this summer that I get totally suited up,
and then realize I have to pee.
Did you just eat a piece of the Ducks' locker room so that it'll be inside you?
Why would I do that?
Okay, anybody who hasn't signed this yet needs to now.
I'm looking at you, Sam.
Can I just...
It was insane. I mean, Coach T, the guy who cut me, is coaching the other team.
Don't worry about it. Just play your game.
Yeah, I really don't need that guy out there reminding me
that I wasn't good enough to play for him.
You know what? He actually fired me up.
- Hey, you good? You ready? - Yeah. Let's do this thing.
Hey, guys. I have some bad news.
Remember when I was running into the arena and I rolled my ankle?
- Not that I... - No.
- It doesn't ring a bell. - My point is,
I just got back from the medic. And I found out my ankle's sprained.
I won't be able to play in the Summer Showcase today. Sorry, guys.
I let you down. Right before the big game too.
- Yeah. No worries, man. - Yeah. I hope your ankle feels better.
Congrats on a season well played.
No, no, no. No clap.
What about, "Damn it. We can't play without you"?
What about, "Shoot me up with some cortisone"? What about that?
Nothing?
Maybe you should just take it easy. Like when I was injured.
When you got injured, we did the whole sticks in the middle,
if one of us doesn't play, we all don't.
Sticks in the middle. We're done. Hands in, guys.
Fine.
Ow.
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
- Hey, Morrow. - Look at you, Dad.
- You're really doing this. - Yes, I am.
I'm proud of you.
Hey, you know, I was wrong before when I said it didn't matter if we win or lose.
It matters big time.
Yeah. It does. Hey, bring it home, all right?
Yeah.
Let's go, Ducks!
This is the last first period we'll ever play together this summer.
Okay, you're spinning out. You gotta stop this.
This is the last time you'll boss me around this summer.
No, it's not. Go!
Dude, the scouts.
That's Junior Islanders, that's University of Michigan,
that's the Kings.
Hey, everybody.
This is Rich Eisen, coming to you live from the World Hockey Summer Showcase.
I needed to see this thing through to the end.
The Ducks are looking strong early.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Evan Morrow on the Ducks is looking a bit distracted out there.
Cycle the puck, guys. Cycle the puck.
- (GOAL HORN BLARING) - (ALL CHEERING)
Yeah!
That's Jace Cole for the first goal of the Showcase. His shot is back.
Yes!
Hey, wake up. Heads in the game. Let's go.
I want to be down on that bench so bad, Marni.
(GROANS)
We should both be there on that bench, right?
Yep.
Guess they're playing pretty good without me.
I always thought I was a key role player on the ice.
Aw. What role did you play?
I played the comic relief, yeah.
Jace!
Beautiful pass by Hanson-Bhatt to Jace Cole.
- (GOAL HORN BLARING) - (CHEERING)
Jace Cole scores again.
(BUZZER BLARES)
And that'll do it for the first period. Ducks in the lead.
(ALL CLAMORING EXCITEDLY)
Hey there. I'm Brett Ross.
- I'm the scout for USA Hockey. - Like the national team?
Yeah. I was wondering if you could help me track down Jace Cole.
Oh, um...
- He's right over there. - Thanks.
Jace, hey. I'm Brett Ross, one of the scouts.
- You're looking really good out there. - Thanks.
I just wanted to get a jump on talking to you
because I think there's gonna be a lot of interest.
- I'm from USA Hockey. - Yeah, I know who you are.
Great. Then you know that we're the best.
But that also means that there's a lot of pressure,
and I just wanted to see if that's something you're up to.
- I get it. You think I'm gonna crack. - I don't know if I'd put it like that.
But I was at the Showcase last year,
and I guess I just wanted to check in with you and see how you're doing.
- I'm good. Thanks for asking. - All right. Have a great game.
- Hey. What's going on? - None of the scouts are looking at me.
You're playing great. Don't worry about the scouts.
All summer I've been looking forward to this Showcase.
I thought it was gonna take me to the next level in hockey,
but now that I'm here, I just...
I can't get that stuff Coach Cole said to me out of my head.
I mean, maybe he was right. Maybe I just have a ceiling.
- Sweetie... - No.
All those posters of hockey players in my room...
All I wanted some day was to be just like them, and I can't.
It's just not gonna happen and I'm not gonna be one of my heroes someday.
I've played hockey my whole life and it didn't mean anything.
However far you go, you've always defied the odds,
but even if this is it, if this is as far as you ever go in hockey,
think of everything it's already brought you.
You have amazing skills, you made really great friends,
got to spend a bunch of time with me.
(EVAN SIGHS)
Don't say it was for nothing.
It's made you who you are.
I really wish I could believe that.
I'm so excited for another period where I feel totally useless and belong nowhere.
Now I know how a portable DVD player feels.
You know what? I might know where you belong.
Come with me.
Hey, Morrow. Pretty good, right? Full dad mode.
See? Nachos. Are these even actual food?
I don't know.
I'm gonna sit here and watch the next period.
You know what? I'm gonna go back to my seat. Dad mode.
Hi. You remember Nick. He loves broadcasting.
I thought I'd bring him here 'cause he hurt his ankle.
So he can't play in the game today,
and I thought maybe he could see what you do for a bit.
The old injured reserve, huh? They couldn't shoot you up with cortisone?
That's what I said.
Don't worry about that, 'cause I always felt
that the best view of the game is from right up here.
Pull up a chair. Come on.
(FANS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
Jace Cole gets the puck with space to shoot.
And you can count that... What? Oh, no!
A swing and a miss.
- Jace. - I'm fine.
The Ducks can't clear the puck. Canada keeping the pressure on.
- Canada finally gets one on the board. - Okay. It's okay.
Another chance for Cole, and he whiffs again.
(GROANS)
And this is not the same Jace Cole we saw in the first period.
Morrow gets his pocket picked.
And another Canadian goal.
(CROWD CHEERING)
Evan Morrow now looking really out of sorts.
The wheels are beginning to fall off for the Ducks.
There's a battle on the boards and Canada comes out with it.
It is non-stop action here in the second.
Canada finds the back of the net.
And with that goal, Canada puts itself in the lead for the first time tonight.
COACH COLIN: Hey, Coach.
I'm not gonna be one of those dads. I know you know what you're doing,
so I'm definitely not gonna tell you that their forecheckers
are exposing their defensemen. So, split the D on the breakout.
- Okay. Thanks for not telling me. - Okay. Okay. I'm just gonna go back.
Flying V.
Team Canada with the classic Duck flying V.
(CROWD CHEERING)
That is some passive-aggressive stuff, right there.
(BUZZER BLARES)
End of the second. It's four-two, Canada.
(GROANS AND CLEARS THROAT)
(COUGHS)
Oh, my God. Drink.
Well, this is the last time we'll be so bad in period two
that there's no way we can come back in period three.
- Guys, come on. It's not about one period. - Mom, don't. Game's over.
Hey. You okay? Having a little trouble with the glitch out there?
Yeah. I don't know what's going on. I guess it's back.
Hey. Maybe you should ask your dad for help.
Um...
I'm just gonna...
BOTH: Oh.
- Hi. - Hey.
I was coming to look for you.
I was debating whether or not I should come in.
Um, yeah, come in, for sure.
Hey.
I'm not upset. I just wanna make sure you're okay.
The glitch is back.
No, it's not.
You're faking it.
When you really had the glitch, your mechanics were out of control.
You were all over the place. I was right next to you out there.
Your shoulders were placed perfectly,
the puck was right where you needed it to be.
Yeah. She's right.
- About what? - I can do it.
I just don't know if I should.
Because if I go all the way, I'm gonna lose everyone.
Hey. You're not gonna be alone.
- Once a Duck, always a Duck. - Yeah. We'll be there for you.
Yeah. We were your friend when you sucked.
We're still gonna be your friend when you suck less.
(LAUGHS)
Thanks, guys. It's just, I feel like I finally got a taste of normal,
and I don't know if it's worth it to give up my whole life just for hockey.
EVAN: Not worth it?
(SCOFFS)
I spent my whole life watching my heroes play hockey,
hoping one day that could be me,
but can't. I have a ceiling.
You, you're one in a million.
And I'm not gonna watch you throw that away.
You can get there.
I know you will.
I'm gonna be really mad if I don't see you try.
So next period, we're gonna go out there and I'm gonna give it all I can
to make you look good in front of those scouts,
so they can see what type of player you really are.
All right. Let's do it.
But there's someone I need to be on the bench.
Here we go. Here we go. All right.
Let's go.
ALL: Ducks on three. One, two, three. Ducks!
Still got one of those shell things stuck in here.
(COUGHS)
Nick, you're gonna have to go on.
- I can't do this. - You have to.
(BUZZER BLARES)
Nick Ganz broadcasting live from the Summer Showcase.
The Ducks had a rough go in the second period,
but looks like they're fired up and ready to go.
Led by number 11, Jace Cole, who seems to have a whole new energy.
- And the Canadians are out there too. - (HOARSELY) I think you got this, man.
Hey, Coach T. I saw you picked up one of our moves last period.
Cool. Cool. If you needed any coaching help, you can just ask.
- You don't own the letter V, okay? - All right. Let's go! Let's go!
Yes!
Duck goal! That's Cole's third goal of the game. That's a hat trick.
It's a hat trick.
Four, three on the board, ladies and gentlemen.
The momentum has shifted here in the third.
Don't count the Ducks out just yet.
Yes! Yeah!
Jace Cole with an absolute clapper to tie the game at 4-4.
Thoughts, Rich Eisen? That's right. You can't talk.
Oh, come on!
Hey, time-out. Time-out.
- NICK: Coach T doesn't look too happy. - (WHISTLE BLOWS)
- Canadians use their time-out. - Bring it in. Huddle up.
Listen. Enough is enough.
Somebody's gotta take that kid out. You understand?
I am not going back to Winnipeg.
Winnipeg has a very active cultural scene.
With the game tied at four apiece, neither team can afford to make a mistake.
- Jace Cole on the breakaway. - Go, go, go.
(ALL EXCLAIMING)
- That's a hook! - (BUZZER BLARES)
That's cheating!
(BLOWS WHISTLE)
- Yes! Yes! - Come on. That was a totally clean hook.
Jace Cole looks like he's trying to shake it off
to make a potentially game-winning penalty shot.
Hey. Come on. Bring it in. Bring it in.
Hey, you got it.
No. No. Actually, you got this. You're taking the shot.
What are you talking about? No, I'm not. I can't.
Yes, you can. Look, screw your ceiling, man.
Take the shot.
No. No.
Hey, get out there.
Go win this thing.
(CROWD CHEERING)
Looks like they're subbing in Evan Morrow.
(CROWD CHEERING)
NICK: That's it! Morrow on the penalty shot!
Ducks win! It's a Duck win!
No.
(CHEERS)
Yeah!
(DUCKS CHEERING)
Attaboy, Evan!
Yes!
Yeah!
(ALL QUACKING)
Another Summer Showcase in the books, ladies and gentlemen.
It's cold on the ice but it is warm in my heart, and the crowd is on fire.
Thank you for listening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Nick Ganz.
You certainly saved the day, Nick. You've got a great career ahead of you.
Thank you. I got to do post-game analysis.
(ALL CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
It's cool what you did for him. It's nice to see the old Evan back.
Yeah. Thanks.
Hey there. Sofi, right? Have you ever thought about playing in college?
My entire life.
- Hey. - Hey. Jace is down there.
- No. You're Evan Morrow, right? - Yeah.
Coach Cole was talking you up to me. He said you had a high floor.
I'm from a small school in Wisconsin, if you're interested.
- I'm interested. - Well, here, take my card.
- Let's keep in touch. - Thank you.
- Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. - Absolutely.
- I'm really gonna miss you. - I'm really gonna miss you too.
I don't have a lot of friends in Alaska, so you better come visit me.
Definitely.
It's super easy. It's just an 11-hour flight.
Only one layover in Juneau.
An overnight bus to the dock. You meet Bob and his sea plane.
When he collects enough passengers and the tide's in, he flies you on over.
When you land, just call me. Not on the phone. Just yell really loud.
- There's no reception up there. - Cool.
- Have you heard? - What?
Like, six colleges want me.
KOOB: Aw!
This is the last time I get to hear you brag about yourself.
What if it's the first time you hear what the two of us are?
- What? - Bros for life.
- Bring it in, buddy. Come here. - Oh, God! Okay.
You too, actual bro.
(SHRIEKS)
I still can't believe you called me out on faking my glitch.
- Yeah. I don't feel bad about it. - Neither do I.
Thank you.
Look, you understand me in a way that nobody else does.
I'll miss you.
Hey, man. You're the one going back home on the RV with her.
So what happens now? We just pack the summer up in a box?
No. No, I don't think I'll put this one in a box.
I made you something.
- What? - Yeah.
(CHUCKLES)
It's a friendship bracelet. I made it in arts and crafts.
Look at that.
It doesn't track your heart rate or anything.
No, I think it does.
Thank you. I love it.
So, this is it?
Not quite.
You do have my cell?
Mmm-hmm.
I gotta say the last day of camp never got me like this.
MARNI: Hey, everybody, buses are rolling out.
And I still have about 60 unclaimed water bottles here,
so, you know, at this point, just feel free to lie to me and take one.
(EXHALES)
- Bye, guys. - Bye.
Hi.
You're still gonna give me space when we get back home?
No, it ends. I'm gonna be all over you when we get there.
- Oh, man. - I'm just kidding. Or am I?
Very funny. Very funny.
(HORN HONKS)
Yeah, no way that thing's making it back to Minnesota.
Totally.
- All right, let's go. How are you doing? - Good.
- Yeah? - Dad, stop.
(DUCKS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
SOFI: Maya, what happened to that shirt you were getting everyone to sign?
MAYA: It wasn't a shirt and it's exactly where it should be.