         The Carlyle PureChem Cougars had a couple of hard fought battles last week with a game in Oxbow on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and on in Carlyle on Friday, Nov. 18. The home game against the Yellow Grass Wheat Kings marked the Cougars’ first win of the season.
                 The game in Oxbow against the Huskies ended in a 6-4 loss to the Cougars, but they battled hard. Oxbow came out to lead the first period with a goal by captain Jordon Cooney, which was assisted by Derek Cooney and Kyle Rudnitski. Carlyle answered back shortly after with a goal by Mark Shaw assisted by Zach Brown and Ty Currie.
                 Oxbow would lead by the end of the first with Dustin Lawson finding the back of the net assisted by Brycen Odgers and Klae Bayda.
                 The second period saw Jesse Matthewson score assisted by Tyler Matthewson, but this was quickly answered by Oxbow’s Jordan Cooney assisted by Kyle Rudnitski and Nathen Blommaert. Oxbow took a two goal lead with an unassisted goal by Brycen Mayer. The Cougars were not down and out, however, as they answered back with a goal by Ty Currie which was assisted by Ben Johnstone.
                 Oxbow was up 4-3 heading into the third. With no goals in the first 14 minutes of play, the Cougars’ captain Ben Johnstone found the back of the net tying the game. His goal was assisted by Kelly Currie and Joel Mack.
                 With less than five minutes left the Huskies pushed answering Johnstone’s goal a minute later. Huskies captain Jordon Cooney rung up his third for the night – marking a hattrick – assisted by Kyle Rudnitski.
                 The Huskies furthered their lead with a goal by Derek Coony assisted by Kyle Rudnitski with 1:11 to go on the clock.
                 The Cougars put in a solid effort, but they were unable to stop the Huskies on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
                 Back in the rink on Friday, Nov. 18, the Cougars hosted the Wheat Kings to another packed rink and earned their first win of the season in overtime 5-4.
                 The Wheat Kings took charge of the game early on with two goals in the first period. Dylan Frey earned the first with an assist by Jackson Schneider and Justin Richter earned the second with assists by Jesse Watson and Josh Colbow.
                 The second period saw the Wheat Kings earn a larger lead with a goal by Corey Koski assisted by Brendon Vertefeuille and Reid Paterson.
                 With a score of 3-0 heading into the third, things didn’t look promising for the Cougars; but, they came out on fire in the third with Joel Mack finding the back of the Wheat Kings’ net assisted by Ben Johnstone and Kelly Currie. This was quickly followed by a goal from Billy Greenwood assisted by Brent McLean. Brett Turgeon pushed hard tying the game with an unassisted goal.
                 Action continued and the Cougars took the lead in the third at 6:40 with Brett Turgeon earning a second goal of the night this time assisted by Jesse Matthewson. However, in a last minute effort the Wheat Kings’ Brock Appleyard earned an unassisted goal with 1:25 left in the game. Tied 4-4, they headed into overtime.
                 Cougars’ captain Ben Johnstone would take charge scoring the team’s game winning goal. The Cougars chalked up their first win of the season and put on an exciting game of hockey in doing so.
                 Elsewhere in the Big Six League: Bienfait took Oxbow down 5-0 on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Redvers earned a win over Wawota 5-4 while Midale took Oxbow down 2-1 on Friday, Nov. 18, Bienfait earned an 8-3 victory over Midale as Carnduff took Wawota 6-5 on Saturday, Nov. 16, and on Sunday, Nov. 20, Carnduff earned a win over Redvers 5-3.
                 Currently leading the east division are the Carnduff Red Devils with three wins and an overtime loss; Redvers with three wins and two losses; Oxbow with two wins and three losses; and Wawota with one win and three losses. Leading in the west are the Bienfait Coalers who are undefeated with four wins; Yellow Grass with two wins, one loss, and one overtime loss; Midale with two wins and four losses; and the Carlyle PureChem Cougars with one win and three losses.
                 Leading the league in top scorers are Payden Benning of Bienfait (13 points), Riley Tetreault of Bienfait (12 points), Dylan Herzberg of Bienfait (11 points), Justin Lamontagne of Wawota (9 points), Jordan Miller of Redvers (8 points), Brad Tomiski of Midale (8 points), Brent Struble of Wawota (8 points), Matt Audett of Carnduff (7 points), Garrett Sherlock of Midale (7 points), and Tyler Houim of Midale (7 points).
                 Top goalies currently are Bienfait’s Landon Audet with two wins and a Goals Allowed Average (GAA) of 1.5, followed by Jackson Walliser of Bienfait with two wins and a GAA of 2, while Riley Hengen of Oxbow (one win and three losses) and Brodie McColl (two wins) are both sitting with a GAA of 2.5.
                 The next action for the Cougars comes on Thursday, Nov. 24, as the Cougars travel to Yellow Grass. They then return home on Friday, Nov. 25, to face the Bienfait Coalers at 8 p.m.
