The Carlyle Pee Wee Cougars played Sunday games in Carnduff for the past 2 weeks. The first game, they struggled, a bit, and ended up losing 7 to 0. It's important not to peak too early. "Nuff said."
In the rematch, Carlyle had something to prove. After a week of long, sweaty practices, the coaches had the Cougars ready. They came out in the first and scored early when Jake McLeod slapped in a pass from Kirk Zacharias. Carnduff answered back. Then Dalton Loustel took a turn when he sent the puck through traffic and into the Carnduff net. Carnduff answered back. In the second period, the Cougars scored when Jacob Chalus's backhand pass met Tommy Cappo's forehand wristshot. The Carnduff Red Devils answered back with 2 goals of their own. But before heading to the dressing rooms for the break, Riley McCrimmon placed a perfect pass on Jake McLeod's stick and Jake put it in the net. But in the 3rd, Carnduff scored a couple of goals during congestion in front of the net and ended up winning 6 to 4. Still, the Cougars had a great game plan and a great game. They were certainly much improved from the week before. They moved the puck well offensively and broke up the pass-happy Red Devils' attack. Kruz Wilson was very busy in net and made some brilliant saves throughout the game. He certainly kept the Cougars in this one. Mac Niven, the birthday boy, used his speed to outmanoeuvre Carnduff's forwards, while solid Sam Matthewson did a great job using the boards to advance the puck. Jory Dyck made some sweet passes and worked hard backchecking, while Austin Dovell used his stick and his speed to move the puck effectively all game long. The Jettster BigEagle had some great spinning moves to stop on a dime and move the puck back towards the Carnduff end, while Tommy Cappo was a force scoring and moving the puck. Jacob Chalus again showed his puck handling prowess, while Riley McCrimmon not only had some great passes and the assist, he had some great take-aways in the Red Devils' end. Jake McLeod was a leader on the ice, winning all his face-offs and not letting up all gameeven in the final seconds when he went through a Carnduff centre to try to score. The Carlyle defence played hard-nosed hockey all game. Ashton Magatiaux was fantastic on D, as always, and broke up numerous Carnduff rushes, while Kirk Zacharias had a great game hustling to stop Carnduff's forwards. He also showed some moves of his own taking in the puck. Dalton Loustel continues to be solid on defence and an ever present scoring threat. It was fast paced, exciting game. The Pee Wee Cougars are looking forward to a bi-week to watch some film and prepare mentally for the second half of the season.
