Central Perk was its usual lively self as the group lounged around their favorite couch, coffee cups in hand. The conversation drifted toward plans for the evening.
"Alright, who's ready for hockey night?" Joey clapped his hands together excitedly.
Chandler smirked. "Oh yeah, nothing like overpriced beer, aggressive Canadians, and men missing teeth to make for a great evening."
Ross, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, frowned. "You guys do realize I haven't been to a hockey game since high school?"
His younger brother leaned back in his seat, a small smirk forming. "Then it's about time you fix that."
Monica, sitting between Rachel and Phoebe, rolled her eyes. "Ugh, you guys and your sports."
"Hey, hockey is more than just a sport," Joey argued. "It's—it's an experience."
Rachel, looking unimpressed, tilted her head. "Let me guess: there's beer involved?"
Joey grinned. "A lot of beer."
Monica shook her head. "Well, while you boys are off doing that, we're having a girls' night."
"Yeah!" Phoebe added cheerfully. "Wine, gossip, and deep emotional conversations that make us question our life choices!"
Rachel hesitated. "Wait, that's the plan?"
"Too late, you're already in," Monica said firmly.
With that, the guys grabbed their coats and headed out, ready for hockey night at Madison Square Garden.
The energy in the arena was electric. Fans cheered, beer sloshed, and Joey was already way too invested in the game.
"GET 'EM! HIT 'EM!" Joey shouted, standing up in his seat.
Chandler pulled him back down. "Dude, you're not in the game."
Ross, meanwhile, was enjoying himself. "You know, this isn't so bad," he admitted, taking a sip of his drink.
His younger brother grinned. "Told you. And don't worry, no one's gonna get hurt—"
At that exact moment, a hockey puck flew straight into Ross's face.
"OH MY GOD!" Chandler yelped as Ross fell back in his seat, clutching his nose.
Joey winced. "Oof. That's gonna leave a mark."
His brother leaned forward. "Ross, you okay?"
Ross groaned. "I think so… but also… ow."
Chandler waved his arms. "We need a doctor! Somebody, call a—oh wait, never mind, he is a doctor."
Ross shot him a glare, still holding his nose.
"You should probably get that checked out," his brother suggested, his voice calm.
Ross groaned, clearly in pain. "Yeah, no kidding."
With that, the four of them left the game early, heading straight to the emergency room.
Sitting in the waiting area, Ross sighed dramatically, an ice pack pressed against his face. "I can't believe this happened. First, my wife leaves me, now this?"
Chandler nodded solemnly. "Yeah, the hockey puck just saw an opportunity and took the shot."
Joey chuckled. "Nice one."
Ross groaned. "This is not funny."
His younger brother smirked. "It's a little funny."
"Yeah, it kinda is," Joey added.
Ross exhaled sharply. "Why do bad things keep happening to me?"
His brother leaned back, crossing his arms. "Ross, you're sitting in an air-conditioned hospital, sipping a free juice box, and you just got to watch a professional hockey game. Try getting hit in the face and then going back to play. You'd still be on the ice."
Ross narrowed his eyes. "Oh, look at you. No injuries, no problems. Let me guess, you probably made money while sitting in the stands?"
His brother smirked. "Not exactly, but my company does supply some of the robotics used in modern sports medicine."
Chandler's eyes widened. "Wait?"
Joey blinked. "So technically, if they use one of your machines, Ross is giving you money right now?"
Ross groaned even louder. "Unbelievable."
"Hey, at least now you'll get firsthand experience with top-tier medical technology," his brother teased.
Ross glared at him. "You know, I always thought if a hockey puck hit you, it'd knock some sense into you."
His younger brother grinned. "Guess I'll never find out."
A nurse approached, handing Ross a clipboard with paperwork. "You'll need to fill this out."
Ross took it, then sighed when he saw the cost breakdown. "Fantastic."
Later that night, the group reunited at Central Perk. Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe were already there, their girls' night having ended in existential crises and ice cream.
"So, how was hockey?" Monica asked.
Ross slumped onto the couch, the ice pack still on his nose. "I got hit in the face with a puck."
Rachel's eyes widened. "Oh my God!"
Phoebe gasped. "Wait—did you deserve it?"
"What?! No!"
Chandler shrugged. "Debatable."
Monica turned to her younger brother. "And you? No injuries?"
He grinned. "Nope. Ross took one for the team."
Ross muttered, "There was no team," but no one was listening.
Joey clapped his hands. "Well, I had fun!"
Rachel sighed. "Well, I thought our night was dramatic, but you guys win."
Monica rolled her eyes. "Yeah, we just had deep, meaningful conversations about life. No hockey pucks involved."
Ross groaned. "Lucky you."
His brother leaned forward, resting his arm on the couch. "Well, on the bright side, if they used my company's tech on you tonight, I should be getting a report soon. Maybe even an order for more units."
Ross shot him a look. "This is why we're not close."
The group burst into laughter, and despite his frustrations, even Ross cracked a smile.
Even on the worst nights, there was always something to laugh about.