SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN - The Redvers Rockets are on the cusp of returning to the Big Six Hockey League's final.
The top-ranked Rockets defeated the No. 4 Carnduff Red Devils 6-5 in Game 1 on Tuesday night, and 5-2 Thursday in Game 2. The semifinals are best-of-five contests.
Carnduff had a 5-3 lead early in the third period of Game 1, but Redvers responded with three unanswered goals. Braeden Magotiaux had the winner with 55 seconds to play in the third period.
Kenton Miller and Jordon Miller each scored twice for Redvers, and Presten Kopeck also scored. Kopeck added four assists to finish with a five-point game. Cody Matthewson was in goal for the Rockets.
Matthew Audette had two goals for Carnduff. Ty Stovin, Trey Stocker and Ben Hiltz also scored. Cody Dumaine was in goal for Carnduff.
In Game 2, Jordon Miller had two goals, while Kopeck, Travis Poirier and Brady Gaudet had the other goals. Thomas Bauche was Redvers' goalie.
Ty Stovin and Kody Martin were the Red Devils' goal scorers. Mason Plews was the goalie.
The dates for the remaining three games have not been established.
As for the other series, the third-seeded Moosomin Rangers have taken a 1-0 lead in their series with the No. 2 Carlyle Cougars, thanks to a 5-3 decision Thursday night in Carlyle.
Jesse Gabrielle opened the scoring for Carlyle in the first period, but Brayden Nabholz tied the game a few minutes later, and added his second of the game early in the second for Moosomin. Ryker Cole added two of his own, including one 23 seconds into the third period, to give the Rangers a 4-1 advantage.
Jon Gaudet and Josh Romanyk scored for Carlyle before the midway point of the third to pull Carlyle to within one, but Cole notched his third of the game into an empty net with 19 seconds remaining to finish the game.
Talen King was in goal for Carlyle. Kyler Beckett was the Rangers' goalie.
Game 2 will be March 5 in Moosomin and Game 3 is two nights later in Carlyle. Game 4, if necessary, would be March 8 in Moosomin and Game 5 would be March 11 in Carlyle. All games are slated to start at 8 p.m.
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Three Big Six teams have games scheduled for provincials this weekend.
The Cougars are slated to play Round Lake in Game 2 of the best-of-three senior A south semifinal on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, would be the following day at 6:30 p.m.
Carlyle won Game 1 7-4 on Feb. 25.
The Carnduff Red Devils are set to play Kyle in their senior C south final. Game 1 is Saturday night in Carnduff at 6 p.m. Game 2 would be March 9 in Kyle and Game 3 would be the next day, also in Kyle.
The Redvers Rockets will look to clinch the senior D south semifinal against Craik. Redvers won Game 1 8-1 Feb. 24 in Redvers. Game 2 is set for March 2 in Craik, and Game 3, if needed, would be the following day, also in Craik.
