Evan is skeptical of Alex’s unique approach to coaching, as the team gets ready for its first game.
Tropes:
- All Work vs. All Play: Alex tries to make the Don't Bothers the All Play to the Ducks All Work by letting the kids play games and mess around during practice. It's Deconstructed when their poor practice habits predictably cause them to get crushed by the Cardinals and Evan points out losing in a humiliating fashion isn't fun at all.
- Armor-Piercing Response: After Alex's pre-season trophy "ceremony", Evan pulls her aside to argue that they aren't a real team yet; Alex adamantly responds that it doesn't matter because she wants the team to be the opposite of the hyper-competitive Ducks. Evan has little trouble rebuffing this carefree point of view.Evan: This is fake! [...] Half our team doesn't even have hockey sticks. And our goalie is wearing an oven mitt.
- The Charmer: Logan is sent in to distract the receptionist at the Duck's home rink, while the rest of the team sneaks in to the Lost and Found to snag new equipment.
- Protagonist-Centered Morality: At the suggestion of Bombay, the Don't Bothers raid the Lost and Found at the Ducks' complex in order to get themselves proper equipment.
- Second Place Is for Losers: Alex tries to give the team a pep talk after getting crushed during their first game. Evan is not feeling it.Alex: Just remember, you know, we didn't start this team to be the best. We started this team to have fun.
Evan: But the thing is, getting your ass kicked that bad isn't fun at all. - Underdogs Never Lose: Invoked. Evan seeks assurance that the team will do well despite their ineptitude from Bombay, who has experience with this sort of thing. Bombay kicks Evan out of his office.
