Drayden Ukrainetz hopes good things are ahead for him and the Carrot River Outback Thunder.
鈥淚 started the season pretty slow coming off of an injury from last season, but I am excited to see what we are going to do in the second half of the season,鈥� said the 19-year-old forward from Wynyard.
This past week the Outback Thunder started 2018 with an 8-3 loss to the league-leading Saskatoon Quakers on Friday, but rebounded to thump the Prince Albert Titans, 11-2, on Saturday. After the weekend, Carrot River was 11-12-5 on the season.
On Tuesday, after the Review deadline, the Outback Thunder played the Titans on the road. This Sunday they take on the Saskatoon Westleys on the road. The next home game is Jan. 20 in Carrot River against the Saskatoon Royals.
The Outback Thunder have made a couple roster moves. Former Junior A player Matt Goudy is back with the team. Logan Schick has moved away to work.
Last season the 6-foot-1, 181-pound Ukrainetz had a successful rookie year. He posted 37 points in 36 games. Ukrainetz was named a PJHL North Division All-Star. He also won the team鈥檚 Most Improved Player Award. However, Ukrainetz said that in his second season he is starting to get more comfortable with the league.
鈥淚鈥檓 trying to go back to the type of game I鈥檝e played my whole life, using my size to my advantage, sticking up for my teammates and, when the opportunity is there, help generate scoring chances,鈥� the son of Kirk and Marcey Ukrainetz said.
Through 23 games this season, Ukrainetz had eight goals and 20 points. He has accumulated 55 penalty minutes.
鈥淒rayden is a big strong kid who has a hard shot and a drive to score goals,鈥� said Trevor Logan, Carrot River鈥檚 head coach. 鈥淚 think him putting up some good numbers听last year as a rookie has teams checking him a little tighter this year knowing he is a shoot first guy...听 I believe there are positive signs that he鈥檚 working through it and hopefully the best of his season is yet to come.鈥澨�
Ukrainetz has enjoyed playing for the Outback Thunder.
鈥淚 think the best part of playing hockey in Carrot River is the friends I鈥檝e made through the last two years,鈥� said the player, who is working in Saskatoon as a first-year electrician. 鈥淣ot only at the rink, but in the surrounding areas around Carrot River I鈥檝e made so many friends I鈥檒l carry with me the rest of my life.鈥�
Quakers 8, Outback Thunder 3
The Quakers grabbed a 6-2 lead in the first period on Jan. 5. They only outscored the Carrot River crew 2-1 the rest of the way.
鈥淭he Quakers are as advertised - a strong team with lots of firepower, depth, and Junior A experience,鈥� Logan said. 鈥淚f you make mistakes or give up weak goals, you can pretty much end your night in a quick fashion as we did Friday.鈥�
The Outback Thunder blue line led it offensively. Defencemen Ethan Rheaume, Layne Cay, and Devin Gerwing did the scoring. Cody Chasse had two assists. Kolton Holmen started and made 13 saves on 18 shots. Tyson Byman came on in relief and had 28 saves on 31 shots. The Quakers outshot Carrot River, 49-37.听 Saskatoon鈥檚 Braden Oleksyn had a hat trick and five points.
Outback Thunder 11, Titans 2
Logan was pleased to see his squad get off to a quick start on Jan. 6 in Carrot River. The Outback Thunder scored five goals to take a 5-0 lead into the first intermission against the Prince Albert Titans. Carrot River was outscored 2-1 in the second session, but then added five more goals in the third period.
With 13 skaters, the Titans were short-handed on the night. Logan said the goal was to get the two points for the victory, avoid injuries and suspensions, and to work on some things.
Kyle Njaa led the Outback Thunder with a hat trick and five points. Chasse had a goal and four points. Also scoring for Carrot River were Connor Tuffs with two, Kieran Dayson, Rheaume, Ukrainetz, Zack Spray and Nick Peterson. Holmen made 20 saves.
Prince Albert goalie Travis Dryka faced 54 shots and stopped 43 of them. Darwin Morin and Jacob Kwiatkowski had the Titans鈥� goals.
