It was an explosive weekend for the Big Six Hockey League, as fans saw the top two teams from last season for the first time on the ice for the year. On Friday night, the Redvers Rockets and the Moosomin Rangers flexed their muscles against the KW Oil Kings and the Midale Mustangs.
The Oil Kings and the Rockets were even in the first period, scoring two apiece. Then, the Rockets held off the Oil Kings from scoring in the second. It was a tale of three Millers, with Naton, Jordon, and Kenton posting the only goals midway through, pushing the score to 5-2. After an early goal from the Rockets, the visitors tried to turn the tides in their favour. However, Oliver Poirier sealed the deal for Redvers. The Rockets walked away with a 7-4 victory.
Meanwhile, the Moosomin Rangers didn't let off the gas when they faced the Midale Mustangs. The first five scores of the night came from the defending champs, posting one in the first and an impressive four goals in the second period. At this point, the Mustangs were down 5-0, but they were able to find their second wind in the third period. Logan Martinson, Sterling Bear, and Devon Johnson scored for Midale in the first 10 minutes of the third. However, the Rangers crushed their hopes of a comeback with two goals from Bud Holloway and Ryker Cole, ending the game with a 7-3 result for Moosomin.
On Saturday, Redvers was up against the Carnduff Red Devils. Meanwhile, Midale was ready to bounce back after the loss, facing off against the KW Oil Kings.
The Redvers Rockets were back on the ice the next day against the Carnduff Red Devils, their rivals in the league. The rivalry was apparent, with game misconducts and violent penalties flying between the two teams. The only goal posted for the Red Devils all night was in the second period from Ben Hiltz during a powerplay. From a cross-checking call on Redvers' Bradey Fidierchuk, Hiltz got one past the Rockets. It was an exciting night of hockey for the fans watching the game at the Carnduff Centennial Arena, as you couldn't go more than a few minutes without seeing a slashing, hooking, or cross-checking call. The Rockets walked away with a decisive 8-1 domination over the Red Devils Saturday night.
After their loss Friday night against the Rangers, the Midale Mustangs were able to bounce back against the KW Oil Kings heavy-handedly. Five goals, including four in the first period, defined the tone of the matchup early on. It wasn't until the dying minutes of the second period that we saw the Oil Kings get one past the Mustangs' Talen King. The Mustangs got their groove back early in the third period with two quick goals early. The Oil Kings countered with a powerplay and a short-handed goal midway through. Though it was already 8-3 near the end of the game, Dan Loffler still took advantage of a 4 minute spearing call on Midale's Josh Bear to get the last goal of the night, making it an 8-4 loss for the Oil Kings.
This weekend, we'll see three games play out in the Big Six. The Carlyle Cougars will play host to the Oxbow Huskies on Friday at 8:00 p.m. The Moosomin Rangers will be back on the ice with the Midale Mustangs for a rematch at 8:30 p.m. The next day, the Rangers will be on the road to face the Carnduff Red Devils.