The Final Game

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

In this sequel to The Moccasin Goalie, Danny and his friends are back
playing hockey for the Prairie team, The Wolves. Danny has a crippled
leg and foot, Petou is pint-sized, and Anita is the only girl in the
League. When the team loses games, the three of them are blamed by some
of the other Wolves. However, they make it to the playoffs, and
Danny’s brother, who plays for the Toronto Maple Leafs, comes to the
game. He encourages the trio’s detractors to give them a chance and to
play as a team. As a result, they win the final game and little Petou
scores the winning goal.

This book is as action-packed as its predecessor. The three periods of
the final game are described in loving detail, with lots of
suspense-filled moments and exciting plays. Danny, Petou, and Anita each
experience a moment of personal triumph.

As in the first book, Brownridge uses a pointillist technique in his
artwork. This style lends a strong sense of immediacy to each scene.
Points of light glinting off the surface of the ice rink appear as spots
of blue and yellow, spots so bright that the viewer almost feels
compelled to squint.

The moral component of this book is subtly woven into the plot. Rather
than preach at players about the necessity of playing as a team,
Danny’s brother provides concrete assistance. Highly recommended.