CARROT RIVER — The Carrot River Outback Thunder Junior B hockey players were active participants in the community’s Christmas on Main in late November.
“All the of the boys spread across Main Street in town,” said Outback Thunder goalie Justice Haack, who is from Colbert. Wash. “We got to meet lots of people in town here who come support us. Some of the boys were helping bag groceries and bring it to their cars, some did sleigh rides, and some of us helped at the fire pit with cooking hot dogs over the fire.”
The event is just one of the community activities the squad is involved in. Other activities include a burger sale and reading with elementary school students.
“That’s fun because all the kids are super excited to see all of us,” Haack said. “Support from the kids is exciting because they’re usually the loudest and most noticeable fans at our games.”
Outback Thunder general manager Brennan Hall said that community involvement is very important for the team. “We have a lot of pride in where we are located, and we rely on the community for a lot of support,” he said. “Being able to be involved with the community and give back is our way of saying thank you, we are here, and we appreciate the support.”
Hall said it also benefits the players.
“A lot of the community supports and idolizes them so getting them out there and being able to socialize is good for the community and good for the guys to be able to have that social presence and be able to make a personal connection with the people who support them,” he said.
This season 18 of the team’s players live or billet in Carrot River or the surrounding area. A few players do commute in from farther away, but Hall said having so many players in the area is “crucial because it allows the guys to be together almost 24/7, it builds chemistry, allows us to practice as much as we do, and gives the guys a great taste of the community they’re representing.”
The Thunder Last Week
Friday, Dec. 6 in Carrot River
Carrot River 6, Saskatoon Royals 3
Outback Thunder Scorers: Luc Marleau (2), Matthew Ratzlaff, Liam Hallett, Hunter Rambow, Austin Berezowski
Royals Scorers: Hunter Steinhubel, Damon Vanderlinde, Layne Schroeder
Goalies: Justice Haack, Carrot River, 30 saves on 33 shots; Zarry Steig, Saskatoon, 28 on 34
Notes: The Outback Thunder trailed 2-1 in the first period but shut out the Royals the rest of the way. Five Carrot River players scored and six recorded two points.
Saturday, Dec. 7 in Carrot River
Triple Seven Chrysler Storm 5, Carrot River 1
Outback Thunder Scorer: David Wiens
Storm Scorers: Taylor Schmidt (3), Caleb Petrie, Connor Nagel
Goalies: Steven Soyko, Carrot River, 32 saves on 37 shots; Riley Hodson, Triple Seven Chrysler, 36 on 37
Notes: Wiens scored the first goal of the game, but the Outback Thunder were unable to light the lamp again. After a 1-1 first period, the Storm led 3-1 at the second intermission. Goaltender Justice Haack was called up to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melfort Mustangs to serve as a backup. Gronlid’s Logan Lasby, a 16-year-old, backed up Soyko for the Outback Thunder.
Sunday, Dec. 8 in Prince Albert
Prince Albert 6, Carrot River 5
Outback Thunder Scorers: Tyrell Nicklen (2), Hunter Rambow, Kaden Suski, Brett Harper
Titans Scorers: Kaleb Charko, Joel Robinson, Tanner Hendriks, Braeden Mishak, Jakob Tournier, Ben Zultok
Goalies: Justice Haack, Carrot River, 34 saves on 39 shots; Steven Soyko, Carrot River, 14 on 16 shots; Carson Schewaga, Prince Albert, 36 on 41
Notes: Prince Albert led 2-1 and 3-2 at the intermissions. The Titans gained a 6-2 third period lead but the Outback Thunder fought back with three straight goals. Prince Albert scored three times on the power play.
All-Star Team Announced
Outback Thunder forward David Wiens and defenceman Luc Marleau have been chosen to compete for the Bob Dybvig Division in the Prairie Junior Hockey League All-Star game. The event will held in Fort Qu'Appelle on Jan. 4.
This Week
The Carrot River Outback Thunder (9-14-1) play in Kerrobert on Saturday and Sunday against the West Central Rage. The Outback Thunder then wrap up the 2019 portion of their schedule Dec. 21 in Deslisle against the host Chiefs.
