If you’re new here, these are a few inside jokes and references that “Heated Rivalry” fans will be saying.
Episode 5: The show’s fifth episode, “I’ll Believe in Anything,” was an emotional pinnacle. When another hockey player, Scott Hunter (François Arnaud), comes out following his team’s big victory, Shane and Ilya suddenly see a future for each other. Which leads us to …
“I’m coming to the cottage”: After Scott comes out on live TV in Episode 5, Ilya calls Shane and takes him up on his offer to come to his cottage that summer. This represents a major step in their relationship.
Tuna melts: Ilya makes a tuna melt for Shane when Shane visits him at his home in Boston. It was a gesture that also appears in the book and signals their relationship might not just be physical.
MLH: Major League Hockey, the fictional league in the show.
Montreal v. Boston: Shane plays for the Montreal Metros and Ilya for the Boston Raiders. The two teams frequently compete.
1221: Ilya’s hotel room number the first time he and Shane hook up in 2011.
“Stupid Canadian wolf birds”: While at Shane’s cottage, Ilya is rattled by the call of the loons, which he calls “stupid Canadian wolf birds.” Loons become an inside joke for the two and, in the book sequel, Ilya gets a loon tattoo to memorialize their time together each year at the cottage — when they can truly be together.
