The Carlyle Pee Wee Cougars played to a tie against Redvers at the Carlyle Minor Hockey Day on the weekend. The Cougars had lost to the Rockets in the previous 2 meetings, but on Saturday they came out with a swagger and a tie. Coach Todd, Coach Gilles, and Coach Clayton currently have the team playing some of their best hockey of the season. They are passing the puck well, they are checking effectively, and they are playing as a team.
In the Redvers game, Jake McLeod ended up with a hat trick. He started the scoring with a speedy slapshot goal from just over the blue-line, scored his second after collecting a sweet pass from Riley McCrimmon, and put in number 3 after a scramble in front of the net. His third goal seemed in question briefly, but after some vertically attired discussion, it was determined that the Cougars had tied the game.
As mentioned, Riley McCrimmon got an assist in this game. McCrimmon catches and delivers terrific passes and he gets faster every week.
Dalton Loustel not only continues to play great defence, he also made numerous rushes on the Redvers' net and in the first period he put a quick shot right over the Redvers' goalie's glove.
His linemate, the Iron Curtain, Kirk Zacharias, played a solid game and was especially effective during short-handed situations. Whether he was poke checking Redvers' forwards or icing the puck to run down the clock, number 15 was busy in 5 on 4 and 5 on 3 situations.
Tommy Cappo was a blur this game and annoyed Redvers by speeding down the ice and refusing to be knocked off the puck. His speed and physical ability make him one of the Cougars' most dangerous scoring threats whenever he is on the ice.
Kruz Wilson showed the flexibility of a Romanian gymnast as he "butterflied" on numerous occasions to block Redvers' shots. He made some great saves this weekend and he had some great protection from his team after the whistle.
Clayton Hill continues to be a dominant physical presence. Hill was giving the Rockets "lift-off" whether along the boards or in the open ice. He also played well on power plays creating numerous scoring chances for the Cougars.
In the end, Saturday's game was a draw, 4 to 4.
On Sunday, the Pee Wee Cougars played another league game, this time against the Carnduff Red Devils. Carnduff had also given Carlyle trouble earlier in the season, but on Sunday, the Cougars gave some trouble back.
The Devils put up a couple of goals in the first period, but Jacob Chalus refused to go to the break down by 2. With only 40 seconds remaining in the first period, Chalus picked up Sam Matthewson's slapshot rebound and hammered it into the Carnduff net. Though much of the game Carnduff forced the Cougars to play dump and chase hockey, Razamataz Chalus was able, on numerous occasions, to outmanoeuvre the Devils and take in the puck himself.
Of late, it's Sam Matthewson's slapshots which have resulted in so many scoring opportunities for the Cougars. Again this weekend, Matthewson worked hard at both ends of the ice. When a partial breakaway developed in the third period, Matthewson demonstrated an amazing burst of speed to get in close enough for a slapshot on net.
The second goal came from Clayton Hill who scored with a shuffleboard moveoff the goalie's shoulder and into the webbing.
Jory Dyck was also a stand-out in the Carnduff game. His red helmet could be seen streaking up and down the ice all game long. This weekend, J.D. showed just how solid he is on his skates. On two occasions, would-be checkers ended up on the ice while Jory continued with the puck. Jory also stopped the Devils' attack with some solid checks of his own.
Austin Dovell was likewise a dominant physical force and frustrated the Carnduff wings by back-checking and forcing turnovers. The puck seemed warm and slow in the third period, but Dovell and his teammates were hot and fast.
Enough cannot be said of the play of Ashton Magatiaux. She hustles on every play and is an asset whenever she is on the ice. Magatiaux is a strong player and is incredible in a race for the puck. She just won't allow opponents' stick blades to touch the ice and after she has lifted their sticks out of the way, she simply picks up the puck herself. She really has it down to a science.
Speedy Mac Niven was involved in much of the offensive success the Cougars had this weekend. He shows no fear taking on opponents in scrums along the boards and he has an uncanny knack for coming out of these pile-ups with the puck.
As always, Jett Bigeagle's speed was a factor in the Cougar's ability to move the puck. The Cougars were down 3 to 2 in the third period when the Jettster had a beautiful take-away. Then Jett found Dalton Loustel, who found Jake McLeod, who found the back of the Carnduff net.
This allowed the handsome scorekeepers to place the tying goal on the scoreboard. Tie game number two finished 3 to 3.
So, in two very exciting games against two very tough opponents, the Pee Wee Cougars came out with two very well-deserved points. The Pee Wee Cougars are getting better every week!
