The Graham Effect

The starting roster includes Case and Ryder as forwards. Will Larsen, Shane Lindley, Beckett Dunne, and Jordan Trager all secure spots on the team.

Gigi and Ryder arrange their first practice session and add Beckett. Ryder receives a call from Owen McKay, his half-brother and an NHL player. Owen informs Ryder that the Dallas team, which drafted Ryder and holds his rights after college, is concerned about his behavior. Ryder’s reluctance to discuss his past leads to misunderstandings. Owen offers to transfer some money for Ryder’s Jeep, but Shane interrupts.

The roster is finally announced, with 11 Eastwood players making the starters list compared to 9 Briar players, although the total roster includes more Briar players than Eastwood. Shane’s girlfriend mentions the party for Miller, prompting the Eastwood players to decide to attend in an attempt to broker peace.

Gigi is enjoying Miller’s party when the Eastwood players arrive, causing tension initially as Trager, a notoriously difficult Briar player, refuses them entry. Shane argues for their inclusion, emphasizing their effort to enhance team unity, and eventually, Case relents. Ryder introduces Gigi to Shane, who promptly calls Gigi “Giselle” as Ryder does.

Ryder and Gigi start talking but are interrupted when Trager and Rand, players from Briar and Eastwood, respectively, get into a fight. Gigi urges Case to intervene, but he insists they must resolve their issues. She turns to Ryder for help; he successfully stops Rand.

Amid the chaos, another Briar player, Coffey, attempts to intervene with Trager, but Trager shoves him away, causing Coffey to injure his wrist in the fall.

The following morning, the athletics department mandates a meeting for the hockey program that afternoon, which proves brief and hostile. The coaches reveal that Coffey will be out for four weeks due to his wrist injury sustained during the fight. Worse, someone posted a video of the altercation on social media, causing concern among the program’s funders.

The public relations team intervenes, emphasizing the need to quell any visible hostility among the players. They assign several players to attend upcoming publicity events. The team assigns Gigi and Ryder to a Boston charity gala scheduled for that night.

Amid this turmoil, Case and Gigi have another tense conversation where she reaffirms that their relationship is over and that she prefers it that way.

Gigi and Ryder drive to the gala together, and Gigi attempts unsuccessfully to engage Ryder in conversation. Eventually, she resorts to playing Dan Grebb’s soundscape, which she admits to using for meditation.

Several people approach Gigi at the gala, seeking information about her father. Ryder remains silent, which frustrates Gigi. When she expresses irritation as another group of boosters approaches, Ryder swiftly guides her toward the stage, effectively hiding them behind some curtains.

As they wait in hiding, Gigi explains her disdain for such events, and Ryder inquires about her relationship with Case. Their conversation escalates into heated flirting, and they nearly kiss before Ryder abruptly leaves.

Gigi meets with her “uncles,” Dean Di Laurentis and John Logan. Dean inquires about Case and presents her with a value pack of condoms, which she awkwardly shoves into her purse. Logan arrives and also questions her about Case, further irritating Gigi. After the encounter, she heads to practice with Ryder and Beckett.

Ryder, Beckett, and Gigi convene at an ice rink outside Hastings. Gigi reveals that her uncle, John Logan, owns the rink and has entrusted her with the keys. As they prepare for practice, Ryder reflects on the contrasting backgrounds he and Gigi come from while also contemplating his growing attraction to her.

In a moment of clumsiness, Gigi drops the box of condoms, prompting playful teasing from Beckett. Despite the embarrassment, the trio engages in flirting and light-hearted banter. Practice progresses well, with Gigi showing notable improvement by the session’s end.

During a break, Beckett confides in Gigi that Ryder shared some of her game footage, expressing confidence in her potential to secure an Olympic spot. He invites Gigi to attend a party with them on Friday.

Mya persuades Gigi to attend the party, and Gigi subtly compliments Ryder to her father.

Gigi and Ryder engage in conversation, only to be interrupted by Carma’s entrance. Despite flirting with Beckett, Gigi’s thoughts linger on Ryder. During a break, Gigi encounters Carma in the bathroom, who claims to be looking for a necklace she left behind in Ryder’s room. Moments later, Beckett hits on Gigi, and they kiss. Their moment is interrupted by Ryder, who informs Gigi that her boyfriend is downstairs.

Case immediately questions Gigi upon her arrival downstairs, demanding that she leave with him. Gigi complies in an attempt to avoid further conflict.

Meanwhile, Ryder confronts Beckett about his involvement with Gigi, advising him to steer clear. Beckett agrees, acknowledging Ryder’s apparent interest in Gigi.

The hockey team endures an additional hour of team-building exercises the following Monday, much to everyone’s chagrin. Despite the general distaste for exercises, there appears to be some bonding as Beckett and Will find common ground in their shared interest in time travel. However, Ryder remains skeptical of the team-building efforts.

Garrett Graham and Jake Connelly discuss the exceptional crop of Division 1 (D1) hockey players.

During their practice session, Ryder adopts an extremely antagonistic attitude toward Gigi. When she inquires about Carma, Ryder explains the situation regarding the necklace and expresses his belief that Carma fabricated the story to see him again. Gigi confronts Ryder for his arrogance, leading to a tense exchange. Ryder warns Gigi about Beckett’s reputation for promiscuity.

After practice, Gigi confides in Ryder, admitting that her interest in Beckett stems from a desire for regular sexual activity. However, she expresses relief that their encounter was interrupted, as she would not want to use Beckett.

Later that night, Ryder calls Gigi and encourages her to use him instead.

Ryder clarifies his desire for Gigi to use him specifically for sex. Gigi hesitates, perceiving it as potentially pity-driven, but Ryder insists it is not motivated by pity. Gigi counters, highlighting their lack of chemistry and that they have not even kissed. The conversation ends abruptly as Ryder hangs up.

Shortly after, Ryder appears outside Gigi’s dorm. They share a kiss, revealing undeniable chemistry between them. However, Gigi grapples with the idea of engaging in casual sex.