HIGHLIGHTS:
The first weekend of Big Six hockey in 2018 came to a thrilling close on Sunday from the Wawota Community Forum.
A shootout was required, but the hometown Wawota Flyers grabbed the extra point in a 3-2 victory over the Yellow Grass Wheat Kings. The win gives Wawota the season series over Yellow Grass this season, with the Flyers going 2-0-1 against the Wheat Kings this season.
The fans were still finding their seats when Wawota opened the scoring. Ryan Taylor deflected home a cross-ice pass from Justin Lamontagne just 18 seconds into the game to give the Flyers an early 1-0 lead.
After the opening goal however, the game turned into a defensive battle and goaltenders' dual between Wawota's Guillaume Blouin and Yellow Grass' Tanner Erickson. Neither netminder would surrender another goal until the final 29 seconds of the 2nd period. 
That's when Wawota would extend their lead as Lamontagne sniped a one-timer past Erickson off a terrific feed from Kent Sauter. The Flyers' held a 2-0 lead heading into the final period, when the Wheat Kings would finally give their goaltender some goal support.
Just 2:52 into the 3rd period, Kyle Mryglod tucked home the loose puck at the side of the crease to get Yellow Grass on the board trailing 2-1. After trading chances for the rest of the period, with Wawota peppering Erickson with close to 20 shots, it would be the Wheat Kings finding a way to tie the game late.
Yellow Grass leading scorer Devin Cobbold drove towards the net off the rush and deflected home a perfect saucer pass from Thomas Carleton to tie the game 2-2 with only 2:08 remaining in regulation. Wawota would earn a powerplay immediately after the goal, but were unable to score before the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
Both goalies held the fort as they had done throughout the game in the extra frame and after another five minutes of play, the game went to a shootout.
Neither team was able to score with their first three shooters, which meant the shootout went to the 'sudden death' rounds. In Round 4, Wawota's Warren Hunter snapped a shot low-blocker past Erickson, forcing Yellow Grass to score to extend the shootout.
However, Blouin wasn't fooled by the deke-attempt of Mryglod and made the save to give Wawota a 3-2 SO victory.
The win vaults Wawota into sole possession of 2nd overall in the Big Six standings with 21 points. Yellow Grass earns a single point and is now tied with the Redvers Rockets for 3rd overall with 20 points.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Carnduff defeats Oxbow 4-2.
Midale over Arcola/Kisbey 10-2.
SATURDAY RESULTS
Bienfait beats Carnduff 6-3.
Redvers over Wawota 6-2.
Yellow Grass defeats Arcola/Kisbey 5-3.
Oxbow over Carlyle 5-4.
UPCOMING GAMES
Tuesday, January 9th
Bienfait Coalers @ Arcola/Kisbey Combines - 8pm - CJ1150 BROADCAST
Redvers Rockets @ Oxbow Huskies - 8pm
Wednesday, January 10th
Carlyle Cougars @ Wawota Flyers - 8pm
Tue, Apr 16, 4:30 PM
Seasonal, Labour
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