Early on this season Carrot River Outback Thunder fans have gotten to see some up and coming young hockey players – and possibly some members of the team’s future lineup.
The Prairie Junior Hockey League team has used a number of affiliate players. These APs from Carrot River and northeastern Saskatchewan regularly suit up for midget teams. Playing them helps the Outback Thunder fill out their lineup and gives the youngsters a taste of Junior B hockey.
“When you add APs, they bring life, excitement, and work ethic,” said Trevor Logan, Carrot River’s head coach. “I love having APs in the lineup and it definitely doesn't hurt crowd sizes when they are kids from Carrot River or anywhere from the Northeast.”
Last Sunday the Outback Thunder snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the West Central Rage. Playing at home, Carrot River’s special teams dominated the day. The Outback Thunder scored two power-play goals and one shorthanded marker. As well, the team killed off 13 power-play opportunities.
“It was a must win,” Logan said. “It didn’t matter how we got the win. We just needed to break our slump and we were able to do that.”
Earlier on the weekend, the Outback Thunder lost 4-2 to the Saskatoon Quakers. This weekend the 7-5-5 team plays at the Quakers on Friday and hosts the Traveland RV Storm on Saturday.
The Carrot River midget players skate with the Outback Thunder on Thursdays. Logan said in the next couple of years the local APs all could make the squad and help the local Junior B team. Tyrell Nicklen, Tyson Wolf, and Rylan Kunz have all seen time with the Outback Thunder. So has Carrot River’s David Wiens, who plays midget AAA with the Tisdale Trojans.
The Outback Thunder have also utilized other Northeast products as affiliated players this season. The group includes Northeast midget AA players Maison Morin, Tyler Almen and Layne Broeckel.
“The thing I enjoyed most was getting a chance to play at that level of hockey, as well as getting to play with some old teammates of mine,” Morin said. “I was always a Thunder fan and am glad they gave a chance to play with them.”
Quakers 4, Outback Thunder 2
The Outback Thunder never led on Nov. 26, but they didn’t let the Quakers get comfortable. Saskatoon led 1-0 after the first period and went up 2-0. However, Carrot River cut the lead to 2-1 on a Connor Tuffs goal. The Quakers scored again, but Devin Gerwing’s goal made it a one-goal game, 3-2, again. In the third period, the Quakers added a goal. Kolton Holmen made 37 saves on 41 shots. Outback Thunder forward Drayden Ukrainetz had two assists.
Ryan Duret, Cole Young, Matthew Wilkinson and Ethan Hill had Saskatoon’s goals. Austin Swystun had 42 saves for the Quakers.
Outback Thunder 4, Rage 2
On Nov. 27 at home, Nick Peterson’s shorthanded goal in the second period seemed to fire things up. The Rage had led 2-0 after the first period. Peterson’s goal pulled Carrot River to within one, 2-1. With just 18 seconds left in the period, a fight broke out that saw Carrot River’s Justin Cay and Rage players Cole Bohnet and former Outback Thunder forward Nayte Zip of Porcupine Plain receive game misconducts. Holmen was penalized for leaving his crease and roughing.
Then in the third period, the Outback Thunder scored three times – including twice on the power play – to take control of the game. Holmen turned away 45 of the 47 shots he faced.
“They were very shorthanded and we still struggled a bit around the net, but we got the two points,” Logan said.
In addition to Peterson’s marker, Gerwing, Zack Spray and Ukrainetz scored for Carrot River. Gerwing, a defenceman, finished with three points.
Logan said Gerwing’s smarts and his ability to shoot the puck allowed him to get points on Sunday. Having said that, the head coach stressed that the team is giving up too many odd man rushes and clear breakaways. He is looking for older, experienced D-men to “lead the way in righting the ship in that department even if it comes at the sake of a scoring opportunity at times.”
Scoring for West Central were Zip and Rett Taggart. Vince Benedetto made 42 saves.
