What do you think?
Stopping the Shots
Is there room in a family for two hockey stars?
In this companion book to Taking the Ice, goalie Mike Krieger (aka Tree) takes centre stage. Although Mike is known to be calm and collected, his home life is more difficult than it seems.
His younger brother, Eric, is a hockey hotshot, already playing on the top U13 team. And their parents are so focused on Eric’s game that Mike’s success in net is barely noticed — except by his older brother, Liam, who was born with Down syndrome and is Mike’s biggest fan. Mike’s parents dismiss a suggestion that he could be good enough to attend a top goalie camp, and while Mike is used to living in Eric’s shadow, the tension between the two brothers increases when Mike is asked to play goal for Eric’s team.
When an accident threatens Eric’s hockey career, and money troubles threaten his parents’ farm, Mike worries he might also have to give up the sport he loves. He decides to risk his reputation — and more — for the new goalie pads he desperately needs. But when the truth comes out, can Mike find a way to make things right?
In this companion book to Taking the Ice, goalie Mike Krieger (aka Tree) takes centre stage. Although Mike is known to be calm and collected, his home life is more difficult than it seems.
His younger brother, Eric, is a hockey hotshot, already playing on the top U13 team. And their parents are so focused on Eric’s game that Mike’s success in net is barely noticed — except by his older brother, Liam, who was born with Down syndrome and is Mike’s biggest fan. Mike’s parents dismiss a suggestion that he could be good enough to attend a top goalie camp, and while Mike is used to living in Eric’s shadow, the tension between the two brothers increases when Mike is asked to play goal for Eric’s team.
When an accident threatens Eric’s hockey career, and money troubles threaten his parents’ farm, Mike worries he might also have to give up the sport he loves. He decides to risk his reputation — and more — for the new goalie pads he desperately needs. But when the truth comes out, can Mike find a way to make things right?
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2024
About the author
Lorna Schultz Nicholson
80 books85 followersLorna Schultz Nicholson is an award winning author who has published over 50 books, including children's picture books, middle grade, YA fiction and sports non-fiction. Lorna divides her time between Edmonton and Penticton, where she and her husband share their homes with their Mexican rescue dog.
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Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 17, 2025
I read this story to a grade 4/5 class. A busy class that I have had trouble finding a story that I can get them to pay attention to. This one did the trick.
The story is about a family with three brothers that live on a farm with their mom and dad. One of the brothers has down syndrome and the other two are obsessed with hockey. Eric is a rising star in his hometown and seems destined for the NHL. Mike is a goalie who needs new equipment to help him improve now that he is taking big strides in getting better. The story is told from Mike's perspective and he feels that his parents, particularly his Dad, pay more attention to Eric and his prodigy like hockey abilities. Meanwhile Mike is improving substantially and is getting noticed by other coaches around the league. Mike needs new pads fast and he makes a questionable decision in order to get some.
This is a really well told story and comes across as real and relatable. It teaches lessons without coming across as preachy or revealing any bias from the author. It is about kids that feel real, in real situations. Situations that are presented in an interesting way even though it is just ordinary everyday life problems. I enjoyed reading this book aloud to the class and thought that the solutions and the final outcomes of the book were satisfying. Perfect for a class of hockey hungry boys (and some of the girls) and a storyline that appeals to all.
The story is about a family with three brothers that live on a farm with their mom and dad. One of the brothers has down syndrome and the other two are obsessed with hockey. Eric is a rising star in his hometown and seems destined for the NHL. Mike is a goalie who needs new equipment to help him improve now that he is taking big strides in getting better. The story is told from Mike's perspective and he feels that his parents, particularly his Dad, pay more attention to Eric and his prodigy like hockey abilities. Meanwhile Mike is improving substantially and is getting noticed by other coaches around the league. Mike needs new pads fast and he makes a questionable decision in order to get some.
This is a really well told story and comes across as real and relatable. It teaches lessons without coming across as preachy or revealing any bias from the author. It is about kids that feel real, in real situations. Situations that are presented in an interesting way even though it is just ordinary everyday life problems. I enjoyed reading this book aloud to the class and thought that the solutions and the final outcomes of the book were satisfying. Perfect for a class of hockey hungry boys (and some of the girls) and a storyline that appeals to all.
October 31, 2024
Stopping the Shots is a companion story to Taking the Ice by Lorna Schultz Nicholson.
If readers are familiar with the first story, they would have met Mike Krieger, aka 'Tree'. If readers have not read the first story, not to worry, Stopping the Shots is a stand alone story!
The story centres around two brothers who seemingly are at constant odds with each, and as the story develops, emotions ebb and flow.
Tensions run high as the unquie skill set of both brothers end up colliding... culminating in a dramatic event that leaves everyone in the family with ( changed) different perspectives.
In 'Stopping the Shots' Nicholson has shown the reader, that it doesn't matter what your personal circumstances are and that family dynamics always has an impact upon you and therefore plays an important role --- as it does in this action packed story!
Although a hockey story, 'Stopping the shots' reveals that the sport of hockey is not the star here...but becomes the vehicle of showcasing the struggles of family dynamics and that communication is of the essence.
An action packed, emotional narrative that I know readers will enjoy from start to finish!
FIVE STARS
Highly Recommended!!!!
If readers are familiar with the first story, they would have met Mike Krieger, aka 'Tree'. If readers have not read the first story, not to worry, Stopping the Shots is a stand alone story!
The story centres around two brothers who seemingly are at constant odds with each, and as the story develops, emotions ebb and flow.
Tensions run high as the unquie skill set of both brothers end up colliding... culminating in a dramatic event that leaves everyone in the family with ( changed) different perspectives.
In 'Stopping the Shots' Nicholson has shown the reader, that it doesn't matter what your personal circumstances are and that family dynamics always has an impact upon you and therefore plays an important role --- as it does in this action packed story!
Although a hockey story, 'Stopping the shots' reveals that the sport of hockey is not the star here...but becomes the vehicle of showcasing the struggles of family dynamics and that communication is of the essence.
An action packed, emotional narrative that I know readers will enjoy from start to finish!
FIVE STARS
Highly Recommended!!!!
December 18, 2024
Okay so I think I'm finally done with hockey books this year. This is the most I've ever read about hockey and I'd like it to stop now please and thank you.
But I liked this book. Hockey is a great foil for a bunch of social problems kids run into. This book has it all - sibling rivalry (now multigenerational!), friend drama, different home life from everyone else (farming was a nice touch. This took some research and the author did a really good job showing how difficult it is to run a farm in the age of supermarkets), neurodivergency (sibling with down syndrom! Which was great! I loved these brothers. Best depiction of Downs I've seen in a long time), school drama, kids dealing with parental issues (financial hardship), life changing injuries!
It was an easy read too. The games were quick and action packed but the author really got the nuances of the backend drama to the reader. It's a good book.
But I liked this book. Hockey is a great foil for a bunch of social problems kids run into. This book has it all - sibling rivalry (now multigenerational!), friend drama, different home life from everyone else (farming was a nice touch. This took some research and the author did a really good job showing how difficult it is to run a farm in the age of supermarkets), neurodivergency (sibling with down syndrom! Which was great! I loved these brothers. Best depiction of Downs I've seen in a long time), school drama, kids dealing with parental issues (financial hardship), life changing injuries!
It was an easy read too. The games were quick and action packed but the author really got the nuances of the backend drama to the reader. It's a good book.
October 15, 2024
Stopping the Shots is a poignant, touching and emotional read. Mike, who longs to be a goalie as talented as his brother, struggles on the rink due to ill-fitting goalie equipment, which is too expensive for his family to purchase. Complicated family relationships also weigh on him. His dilemma is so well-expressed that the reader sympathizes with him immediately. His parents and brothers are multi-faceted, complicated people, so well-respresented that it becomes easy to imagine knowing the family personnally. With the thrill of sports, the pains of growing up, and the struggles of farm life, this book hits home in every way. Five stars and counting.
January 20, 2026
Eric has the talent and aspirations of making the NHL, so he gets the best equipment, while older brother Mike, who is an okay goalie, must play with old equipment. To excel as a goalie Mike needs better pads but his parents farm is struggling. When an opportunity to obtain newer pads arises, Mike makes a shady deal. This story is about rivalry, family, and making the right choices. With lots of exciting hockey play by play, young readers will who love the sport, will relate to the pressures of winning and understand the importance of compromise.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews