CARROT RIVER — The Carrot River Outback Thunder are ready to tangle with the Saskatoon Westleys.
The two Junior B teams are set to play each other in the first round of the Prairie Junior Hockey League playoffs. The best-of-three series starts on Friday in Saskatoon. Game two will be played on Feb. 23 in Carrot River. If needed, game three will be in Saskatoon on Feb. 26.
“I’m really looking forward to playoffs this year,” said Outback Thunder forward David Wiens. “Playing every second day with the guys will just bring our team even closer together. Our team has been playing lights out most nights and we will be a force in the playoffs.”
Carrot River is back in the postseason after missing out in 2019. This season the Outback Thunder finished fifth in the PJHL’s Bob Dybvig Division with a 16-23-1 record. The team won 10 more games than last season.
“The biggest key for us is to just keep it simple and play to the best of our capabilities,” Carrot River general manager Brennan Hall said. “We need to play a full 60 every night from here on out. We need to continue to use our physical game play to wear down opponents and just put a lot of shots on net and get crashing that net.”
The Westleys finished fourth, just a spot ahead of the Outback Thunder, in the Bob Dybvig Division, with an 18-20-2 record. The Outback Thunder won the season series 3-2.
Wiens Rookie of the Year
Wiens earned the Graham Christie Memorial award last week as the Prairie Junior Hockey League’s Rookie of the Year.
“This award to me is such an honour,” Wiens said. “For me to be chosen out of all the other talented rookies is just crazy to think! My main focus right now is just to help my team the best I can.”
A homegrown two-way forward, the 18-year-old Wiens led the Outback Thunder in goals and points. He also was an important leader as an assistant captain.
“He’s been a go-to guy for us in every situation,” Carrot River head coach Luke Folk said. “David has been leading the way both on and off the ice for us all year. He sets good examples for the boys, stands up for linemates. He’s just a team guy who gets after it every night.”
Season Stats
Wiens paced the Outback Thunder with 19 goals, 37 points and four game-winning goals in 40 games. Fellow rookie Kayden Graham had a team-high 21 assists. Brandt Fiske, who joined the team at the Jan. 10 trade deadline, paced the squad with a 1.4 points per game average. He had 17 points and eight goals in 12 games.
Kaden Suski had a team-best six powerplay goals. Brett Harper scored seven shorthanded goals. Ben Couvier topped the team with 171 penalty minutes.
On the backend, Luc Marleau, who switched to defence this season, had 23 points in 22 games. Playing both forward and defence, Tanner Dutcawich recorded 28 points in 40 games.
Goaltender Steven Soyko led the team with nine wins, a 3.73 goals against average, and two shutouts.
The Thunder last week
Saturday, Feb. 15 in Carrot River
Saskatoon Quakers 7, Carrot River 2
Outback Thunder Scorers: Chase Gallant, Kayden Graham
Quakers Scorers: Nic Prediger, Cole Young, Noah Bankowski, Jordan Barios, Jordan Hudson, Keegan Randell, Brendan Kemp
Goalies: Chance Griffith, Carrot River, 56 saves on 63 shots; Steven Duchscher, Saskatoon, 19 on 21
Notes: The league-leading Quakers led 2-1 and 4-2 at the intermissions.
