This week, the Thursday Thunder Player of the Week for the Airdrie Techmation Thunder is 19-year-old goaltender Austin White. This is the second time this season White has been selected for Thursday Thunder Player of the Week.
White, from Airdrie, has played hockey in the city for many years playing for teams like the CFR Brison and the AA Airdrie Lightning.
On Friday night, Airdrie may have made the two Ponoka goaltenders the Stampeders think they were seeing spots, in the form of pucks coming at them. The Thunder peppered the Ponoka goal with 72 shots, en route to a 12 - 1 win over the Stamps. The Thunder headed to Three Hills last night for a, virtually, "must-win" game against the Thrashers. The team came through, scoring a 4 - 2 victory.
White was selected this weekend because he backstopped two big wins with a .940 save percentage, according to Shaun Guest, General Manager of the Thunder
White has been the netminder for 17 games and has a record of 7-7-3, 3.16 goals against average with a .899 save percentage.
"We're all having a lot more fun. There's a lot more energy and momentum coming through every week, every practice and every game. It's starting to show every game as well," stated White.
Now holding down a playoff spot with four games left to go in the regular season, White believes they will be able to complete the push for a playoff spot.
"I think just overall, the effort and the focus is the main key to success for us at this point."
While the start of the season did not go the way White hoped he is pleased with how he has played so far this season.
"Had a few good games and a few games where I could have done a little better, but overall, I think I'm pretty happy with how my season is going."
In his second year with the team, White stated he does plan on staying with the Thunder for the next few years as he would love to stay home.
The Thunder are at home in the Ron Ebbesen Arena on Friday night for an 8:00 pm game with the Strathmore Wheatland Kings. The Kings are fifth in the South Division with a 17-16-2 record.
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