How did Saul get a chance to prove to Father L. And the other players that he could play?

Saul watches from the sidelines as the team practices for their first organized game. Then, one day, a player is injured and has to leave the ice. Saul volunteers to take his place in the scrimmage.

He’s terrified, but once the game begins, he finds that he can see the underlying patterns and movements of the game, like he could when he first watched. Thinking ahead of everyone else, he’s able to score. Impressed, Father Leboutilier invites him to play center. At first, Sister Ignacia and Father Quinney object to such a small and young boy joining the team and breaking the rules, but Quinney changes his mind when he sees Saul play.