CARLYLE - The Carlyle Cougars U18 hockey team is on fire, capturing a decisive victory in their second provincial game to sweep the series with the Whitewood Elks.
Early in the first period, the Cougars broke through the neutral zone, weaving past defenders to open the scoring. The Cougars carried that momentum, extending their lead by the end of the first period to 5-0.
The Elks fought back hard in the second period, and found the back of the net, but the Cougars responded immediately.
Carlyle goaltender Tristan Dixon stood tall, turning away multiple scoring chances from the Elks, including key saves late in the third period.
Carlyle won the game 8-1 to sweep the two-game series.
“It was a good game for us, and we were up 5-0 after the first,” said coach Kirk Himmelspach. “We then put it on cruise control after that.”
Carlyle is now playing Moosomin in the second round. The Cougars won 7-5 in Moosomin on Feb 6. Game 2 is scheduled for February 11 at 7:45 p.m. in Carlyle. If each team wins one game, then there is a ten-minute mini game after Game 2 that determines the series winner.
Himmelspach said doing the games this way decreases the amount of travel involved, cutting back expenses.
Himmelspach’s game plan moving forward is to just keep doing what they have been doing to win but will up the intensity a little bit for this round.
These wins will not only boost the Cougars’ confidence but will also put them in a strong position against Moosomin.
