Check, Please!: Sticks and Scones (2020) is the second half of author Ngozi Ukazu's manga comic book. The first entry in the series, called #Hockey, covered the main character's Freshman and sophomore years. Sticks and Scones cover Bittle's junior and senior years at Samwell University. Bittle has continued his hockey career, hoping to enjoy the same success he and his team always have. As seniors graduated and kids transferred schools, Bittle's hockey team had a bit of turnover. Some of his cherished teammates left; new teammates came in.
While this is happening, Bittle starts a romantic relationship with another young man named Jack, something that he struggles to reveal to his teammates. Simultaneously, he is forced to contend with some of his other personal relationships. He also wrestles with the next transition in his life, from college to the real world, and works as hard as he can to win as much as he can with his team.
Reactions to Check, Please!: Sticks and Scones were largely positive. Reviewers like Booklist loved the novel, saying that "Ukazu excels at drawing action" and that "ultimately, though, this is a love story, one with a romance characterized by sweetness and support. Fans, new and old, won't be ready for it to end."
