The Carlyle Novice Cougars (Chris) got back into championship form the weekend of Feb. 1 and 2, bringing home the coveted Candy Bar Cup from the tournament in Moosomin, where admission got you a full seat, but these Cougars had you only needing the edge of it.
To start I’d like to suggest that anyone feeling inclined should get these players and coaches some hand sanitizer. I’m assuming they are all dirty from all the filthy dangles that got pulled out on the weekend.  Also a big thank you to Peyton "Scorey Spice" Faber for answering the call-up to the big club and showing that saying someone plays like a girl is a compliment of the highest regard.
The crew started the tournament with a convincing 15-1 win over host team Moosomin, with goals from everyone on the roster. The Fab 4, when not torching the twine at the back of the net, were tossing out passes that can only be described as crispy. I had the chance to overhear a phone call between Reed "The Rifle" Coffey to his Grandpa Pat, describing his first career goal and he put it very poetically, "Owen passed it to me, backhand, boom!" "The Rifle" received Player of the Game for his monumental moment.
On a high from the first W of the weekend, the team faced Churchbridge next and downed them 14-2 and clinched a berth in the A side final on Sunday. This second game was more of the same with lots of different goal scorers and assist receivers.
Keenan "Sharknado" Winkler showed that he was not to be messed with as he flew up and down the ice, scoring and passing at will, and as if that wasn't enough, he also stifled attempt after attempt from Churchbridge trying to mount a comeback. He was a well deserving recipient of Player of the Game.Â
Game 2 also showcased Griffin "Coast to Coast" Eaton playing a game within the game, where he tried to make sure every post in the rink would make a ting if it was hit with a puck, He won and yup, every post did, he was temporarily renamed "Coast to Post".
Safely seated in the finals the team headed back to the hotel for some much deserved R&R. They decided against the rest and the relaxation and instead mini sticks were priority #1 and the pool a big #2.
Sunday at 4:30 the squad hit the ice and they didn't disappoint. The team came together and played like their allowances were on the line, so pay up adults because three simple words described this game - forecheck, backcheck, pay cheque.
Xander "The Postman" Brown took home Player of the Game with some stingy defense and truly gritty play. The scoring was led by the Fab 4, who all stepped up for this big game, and carried the majority of the play. When the buzzer sounded it was Cougars 10, Prarie Storm 6 .
"The Brickwall" accepted the trophy for the crew after an amazing weekend of puck stopping, but trying to fend off eight of his teammates from the Candy Bar Cup might not be something he'd sign up for again. They had that trophy disassembled and devoured like a pride of lions on a one-legged gazelle.
The boys must have taken some advice from lyrical genius Taylor Swift, and Shook, Shook off the sting of the Virden tourney and are now once again sitting at the top of the Novice Hockey food chain.
For all their hard work thus far, the Novice Cougars have been named Carson’s Safety Minor Hockey Team of the Month for the Estevan Bruins, and with that receive several perks.  They will get to practice with some Bruins, tour their dressing room, attend a Bruins game and why not a pizza party at the intermission.
Good work Cougars, you deserve it.
