CARROT RIVER — Kaden Suski has been working hard for the Carrot River Outback Thunder and getting results.
“I thought Suski has been playing well lately, always has his feet going creating space,” associate coach Kolten Holmen said before last week’s contests. “Points are finally starting to come off his stick too.”
Through 19 games this season the 19-year-old Suski has posted 12 points and five goals in the Prairie Junior Hockey League. Those equal or surpass the five goals and 10 points he had posted in 33 games last season after joining the team from Fort Knox. As of Sunday, Suski was sixth on the team in scoring.
Outback Thunder head coach Luke Folk said that the Esterhazy product has found his stride. The coach emphasized that when Suski’s feet are moving, there are not a lot of players who can keep up with him.
“Over the last month, Sus has put in the time and effort it takes to put up points on a nightly basis and has been improving ever since,” Folk said.
From Nov. 9 through Nov. 23, the 5-foot-9, 160-pound Suski had points in all seven games. He totalled five goals and 10 points during that time.
“He’s got a fast release [and] a knack for finding shooting lanes in a mess of shin pads and his heads-up play makes him a threat from any position he ends up in,” Folk said.
The head coach said his teammates can trust him in any situation: “whether it’s killing penalties, running our powerplay through him on D or forward and creating scoring opportunities five-on-five.”
Suski is having fun in his second season in Carrot River.
“Playing for the Thunder has a lot of things to enjoy like the endless ice time and we have a tight group of boys in town this year,” said Suski, who billets with Jessie and Duane Charko.
The Thunder last week
Friday, Nov. 22 in Carrot River
Saskatoon Royals 7, Carrot River 5
Outback Thunder Scorers: Luc Marleau (2), Liam Hallett, David Wiens, Kaden Suski
Royals Scorers: Damon Vanderline (3), Cameron Brossart, Layne Schroeder, Jacey Nordell, Hunter Steinhubel
Goalies: Steven Soyko, Carrot River, 16 saves on 21 shots; Justice Haack, Carrot River, 8 on 9; Dawson Cochrane, Saskatoon, 44 on 49
Notes: The Royals led 3-0 and 6-1 at the intermissions. “We made some mistakes in the first two periods, but overall I didn’t think we were playing completely horrible, but then the boys came out to rally in the third and it was very entertaining,” Outback Thunder general manager Brennan Hall said. “We were very proud of the pushback and it was too bad we couldn’t force overtime, but everyone had counted us out after two period being down 6-1 so to have it come that close was amazing to see.”
Saturday, Nov. 23 in Carrot River
Carrot River 9, Southern 0
Outback Thunder Scorers: Liam Hallett (2), Tyler Almen (2), David Wiens (2), Trevor Peeace, Tanner Dutcawich, Luc Marleau
Goalies: Justice Haack, Carrot River, 18 saves on 18 shots; Triston Cherwoniak, Southern, 5 on 9; Morgan Bogdan, Southern, 26 on 31
Notes: Haack earned his first Prairie Junior Hockey League shutout. The Outback Thunder led 5-0 and 6-0 at the intermissions. “Making simple plays, creating open space in the offensive zone, and not backing down allowed us to be dominant last night,” general manager Brennan Hall said. “We were able to take care of our own end first and not give up many shots, which translated into a lot of offensive zone time for us.”
This Week
The Carrot River Outback Thunder (7-11-1) host the Saskatoon Westleys (7-9-0) on Saturday night. On Sunday evening, the team plays the Saskatoon Royals (10-9-0) on the road.
