Hayley Rilko’s great-grandfather, “Greatest” William, was the kind of hockey player songs were written about: he led the Toronto Maple Leafs to four Stanley Cup wins in five years. But the Leafs have not won another cup since Greatest died in a plane crash. His body was never recovered. In the years following his death, a curse on the Rilko family became apparent: as soon as one of William’s descendants reaches puberty, whatever sports team they play for suffers devastating and eternal losing streaks.

Hayley was born to play hockey, but she knows her time is running out when she gets her first period. Rather than accept her fate as her father and grandfather did, she is determined to find Greatest William’s body and break the curse once and for all. 

Set in northern Ontario, The Third Period Comeback is bestselling YA author E.K. Johnston’s middle-grade debut, and she delivers an engaging alternate history with a touch of magical realism. If the story sounds vaguely familiar, it is because it references a real historical figure and the “true” Maple Leafs curse that inspired the Tragically Hip’s song “Fifty Mission Cap.” In the words of the late Gord Downie: “Bill Barilko disappeared that summer / He was on a fishing trip / The last goal he ever scored / Won the Leafs the Cup / They didn’t win another.”

Hayley is an engaging and witty protagonist, and Johnston’s chapters are short enough to keep reluctant readers engaged. The book, however, could benefit from more elaboration of its magic system, including the acceptance of curses. And at times, it is hard to keep track of the vast and diverse cast of characters that is Hayley’s family.

Because curse comes into effect with the onset of puberty, menstruation features heavily in the novel, which might be a surprise for readers expecting more of a sports-centred narrative. Instead, Johnston has written a story that will resonate with young readers experiencing their period for the first time, especially those seriously involved with sports. 

Overall, E.K. Johnston has delivered a strong middle-grade debut that takes a sliver of Canadian hockey lore and history, sprinkles in some magic, and turns it into a coming-of-age story.

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