The Big Six Hockey quarterfinals get underway tonight as the league’s top teams begin the push toward the semifinals. The Redvers Rockets, fresh off last season’s championship, will host the Midale Mustangs at 8 p.m., while the Carlyle Cougars welcome the Wawota Flyers at the same time.
The Redvers Rockets and Moosomin Rangers dominated the regular season, each finishing 14-2 with 28 points, while lower-seeded teams struggled. The Midale Mustangs managed just one win in 16 games, and the KW Oil Kings recorded four, setting up a stark contrast in talent heading into the best-of-three quarterfinals. Other matchups see the Oxbow Huskies facing the Carnduff Red Devils, and the Carlyle Cougars hosting the Wawota Flyers.
Top performers from the regular season could play a decisive role in the playoffs. Bud Holloway of the Moosomin Rangers led the league with 67 points, followed by teammate Carter Sawchuk with 57. The Redvers Rockets’ Kenton Miller scored 46 points, with Jordon Miller adding 31. In goal, Levi Horn of Moosomin posted a 1.38 GAA, while Kyler Beckett and Redvers Rockets’ Thomas Bauche round out the top netminders.
The quarterfinal schedule begins with Game 1 tonight. Game 2s are set for Wednesday, February 4, when the Redvers Rockets travel to Midale for a 7 p.m. start, while the other series continue Thursday, February 5, with the Carlyle Cougars hosting Wawota and the Moosomin Rangers visiting the KW Oil Kings, both at 8 p.m. If any series is tied after two games, a decisive Game 3 will determine the winner, with matchups scheduled later in the week.
Historically, the Redvers Rockets have been a dominant team, winning three of the last six championships, including last season. The Moosomin Rangers captured the 2023-24 title and have consistently been competitive. The Carlyle Cougars and Carnduff Red Devils have long histories of success, while the Wawota Flyers won back-to-back titles in 2015-16 and 2016-17. The Midale Mustangs and KW Oil Kings have seen limited recent success, and the Oxbow Huskies are still seeking their first championship.
With strong regular-season form, proven scorers, and veteran goalies in net, the quarterfinals promise competitive hockey from the opening puck drop.