The Carlyle PureChem Cougars clenched the eighth playoff spot in the Big Six League and were up against the first place team, the Carnduff Red Devils. Elsewhere in the league the Redvers Rockets are playing the Oxbow Huskies; the Bienfait Coalers are taking on the Midale Mustangs; and the Yellow Grass Wheat Kings are playing the Wawota Flyers.
Saturday, Feb. 17, was another exciting night at the arena for the PureChem Cougars and the community of Carlyle winning the first game of the series versus Theodore, a $1,000 donation to KidSport, and a shooting contest which had Steve Mossing make approximately 13 of the 20 shots needed to win.
Carlyle Merit Ford General Manager Joel Mryglod says: “We are so pleased with the turn out at the Carlyle Cougar game on Saturday night. Not only was it an exciting game to watch, but our 'Shoot To Win' was quite exciting as well.”
“With the support of the Carlyle community, we were able to give $1,000 to KidSport and to my understanding this will really make a difference in the lives to some kids in our communities.”
“We love sports; we love our community and we love to get involved.”
“We'd like to thank the Carlyle PureChem Cougars for allowing us to join them Saturday night,” adds Mryglod. “And from our Merit Ford team to yours, have a safe and successful remainder of the season!”
Big Six Playoffs
In their first match-up the Cougars lost in a 2-6 battle – leaving the Cougars with some work to do – which saw the Red Devils take to an early lead with two goals in the first period.
The second period saw the Red Devils score a power play goal, which was followed by Cooper Fox lighting up the net for the Cougars off assists by Clayton Geiger and Ben Johnstone.
Heading into the third the Cougars lost the momentum they had gained in the second period with an early goal by the Red Devils. The Red Devils scored a second goal shortly after, but Ben Johnstone answered back with one off an assist by Cooper Fox and Tyler Fleck. The last minute push wasn’t enough however; as the Red Devils confirmed a decisive win with their sixth goal of the night at 2:04.
The Cougars hosted the Red Devils on Tuesday, Feb. 20 – which was after the deadline for this week’s issue.
Provincials
The PureChem Cougars were also in a battle with the Theodore Buffalos in the Senior C South Quarterfinal match. Hosting the team on Feb. 17, they turned around and travelled to Theodore on Sunday, Feb. 18.
During the first game in Carlyle, the PureChem Cougars came out on top winning 4-2 after a very physical game. Although Theodore took an early lead with a goal in the first; Carlyle turned it around in the second when Wyatt Garrican earned a goal off an assist by Ben Johnston and Dylan Herzberg. Theodore followed up with a goal in the second, but were held off in the third; while Carlyle capitalized on opportunities.
The PureChem Cougars earned three goals in the third with the first being scored by Mark Shaw off Blair Toms and Clayton Geiger. Team captain, Ben Johnstone, took a shot and scored the third goal of the night off an assist by Mark Shaw; and Dylan Herzberg found the back of the net for the fourth and final goal of the night off an assist by Cooper Fox and Wyatt Garrican.
The 4-2 win, however, was not enough to win the series after a tough game in Theodore. The PureChem Cougars garnered another four points in the series, but Theodore’s 12 goals put them in the lead for the series 8-14.
Goals scored in Theodore by Carlyle included one by Wyatt Garrican from Ben Johnstone and Dylan Herzberg; two in the second period including an unassisted goal by Cooper Fox and a goal by Tyler Fleck from Brett Turgeon; and finally Turgeon off Clayton Geiger rounded out their game.
