The Big Six Hockey League is preparing for their playoffs as the teams have settled into their positions ahead of the biggest matches of the season.
All eight teams will be on the ice over the next week, with the first of those matches tonight.
League President Craig Barber talks about the 2024-25 season and his expectations for those playoffs.
"I think it's been a good season, been the odd upset and you know now playoffs, every roster's gonna be full. You know, there's lots of games during the season that games are going with missing key players. Well, now they probably will make sure those key players are all playing right."
The league is playing with eight teams this year after the Beinfait Coalers were no longer part of the league, with Barber saying the round number does help with organizing.
"Everybody makes playoffs, so you know that's where everybody makes playoffs. League play means a lot, but lots of teams could end up upsetting a team that's a higher seed now, right? Going forward eight teams is kind of the perfect number, but if we get a team back or another team loses we'll have to figure out another format."
Big Six Playoff Bracket - Quarterfinals
Wawota Flyers vs. Redvers Rockets
- Game 1 - January 30: Wawota @ Redvers - 8:00pm
- Game 2 - February 1: Redvers @ Wawota - 8:00pm
- Game 3 - February 2: Wawota @ Redvers - 7:00pm
- Game 4* - TBA
- Game 5* - TBA
KW Oil Kings vs. Moosomin Rangers (defending champions)
- Game 1 - January 31: Kipling @ Moosomin - 8:00pm
- Game 2 - February 1: Moosomin @ Kipling - 8:00pm
- Game 3 - February 7: Kipling @ Moosomin - 8:00pm
- Game 4* - February 12: Moosomin @ Kipling - 8:00pm
- Game 5* - February 14 - Kipling @ Moosomin - 8:00pm
Midale Mustangs vs. Carlyle Cougars
- Game 1 - January 31: Midale @ Carlyle - 8:00pm
- Game 2 - February 1: Carlyle @ Midale - 8:00pm
- Game 3 - February 4: Midale @ Carlyle - 8:15pm
- Game 4* - February 5: Carlyle @ Midale - 8:30pm
- Game 5* - February 12: Midale @ Carlyle - 8:30pm
Oxbow Huskies vs. Carnduff Red Devils
- Game 1 - February 1: Oxbow @ Carnduff - 8:00pm
- Game 2 - February 4: Carnduff @ Oxbow - 8:00pm
- Game 3 - February 6: Oxbow @ Carnduff - 8:00pm
- Game 4* - TBA
- Game 5* - TBA
(*) - if necessary
Provincials are also being looked at, with Barber and the league preparing for those right after the playoffs.
Even with only 16 games in this season, he says it's been tough to get consistent teams out to games.
"It's really hard with people. That's what they call The Big Six, the working man's league, everybody's got a job the next day to go to and now there's going to be a lot of weekday games, so you know you're not getting home till midnight or so, and then getting back go to work the next day."
Barber says that these playoffs and provincials are important for keeping these teams afloat and ready to play next season.
"This is a big money maker for all teams that you know at the end of the year with provincials and playoffs. It kinda, you know, replenishes their bank accounts a little bit and it makes their rinks a lot of money with the kitchens and the bars and all that other stuff and it's good for the kids. You know, the kids come out and watch this hockey and they kind of idolize the senior hockey. It kind of helps our minor hockey program too."
The first match of the Big Six Hockey League playoffs is tonight at 8 p.m., with the Wawota Flyers being hosted by the Redvers Rockets.