In chapter thirty-nine, Saul shoots pucks in the barn as Rebecca mourns the loss of her sister and commits suicide. Saul escapes the school alive, unlike Rebecca. Hockey keeps him alive, but what has hockey done to him when he leaves Toronto? How does he

Saul is a great player, who is made even better by his newfound trust in the skill of his teammates in Manitouwadge. This allows him to make risky passes with the knowledge they’ll reach their target. Sadly, his skill can’t change the bigotry he’s surrounded by. His teammates are cold and distant, and the media characterizes his play along racist, stereotypical lines. The fans yell out slurs, and the opposing teams are especially violent against him. Finally, Saul snaps. He stops being stoic and begins to fight back. He becomes a “puck hog,” scoring his own goals rather than making passes. The Marlies coach tells Saul that he’s become a liability, and he gives Saul less and less time to play. After a game spent entirely in the stands, Saul gives up on the Marlies and heads home to Manitouwadge. He is angry, broken, and vengeful.