The Carroll Aeros returned home from the 32nd annual Grub Box tournament in The Pas, held Feb. 5-7, with silver medals around their necks. The team had parents and fans on the edge of their seats the entire weekend and indulged their fans with great hockey games.

The weekend started off with a great game against the Split Lake Eagles. This exciting game ended in a tie. Scoring the Aeros’ goal was Justin Spence with an assist from Barry Jackson-Keeper. The goalie for this game was Cecelia Michelutti, whose netminding abilities were evident. The team digger award this game went to Justin Spence while Andrew Adams earned the game star. The team went on after this game to earn a win in the Good Thymes Pizza Shoot Out earning a pizza for the team.

Friday night was the Skills & Drills competition with the following Aeros competing: Trent North, Cory Majeran, Tiffany Larocque and Michelutti. North earned a bronze for his shooting abilities. Majeran, Larocque and Michelutti were able to showcase their own skills in goaltending, agility and speed.

The Aeros’ second game was against the Cumberland House Cree. Again, fans were left on the edge of their seats with another tie game. Spence earned two goals this game with North and Riley Locke each scoring one. Zack Cormier and Bryce Parsons each were able to earn assists with their great passing skills. In net for this game was Shayna Moore who helped hold the game to a tie. The team digger award was awarded to Bryce Parsons and the game star was Darien Osberg. The team-chosen game star went to Moore.

Game number three had the Aeros meeting the Flin Flon Bombers. The Aeros earned a hard fought win with the score ending 6-3. Scoring the goals for the Aeros were Matthew Tretjak with two and Owen Blanchfield, Jackson-Keeper and Trent North with one each. Assists were from Majeran with two and Chase Gurniak, Matthew Stewart, Kennedy Murray and Larocque with one each. Tending net this game was Michelutti who continued to impress the crowd with her superb goaltending abilities. Helping out in the defensive zone were Tanner Pilon, Kerri Allard, Adams, Larocque, Locke and Osberg. Earning this game’s digger award was Tretjak and North earned the game star. The team-chosen game star was Spence. This game secured the Aeros top spot in the pool and a chance to compete for the gold medal.

Sunday had the team competing for ThePasrentals.com Cup against the Gillam Chargers. This game had parents and fans on the edge of their seats yet again with a final score of 6-4 and another silver medal for the Carroll Aeros team. Scoring two goals this game was North while Majeran and Cormier each netted one goal apiece. Providing the important assists to these goals were Parsons and Larocque with the assists for the first goals with Majeran following suit with the second assist and Osberg providing the last two assists. Tending net this game was Moore who again showcased her puck-stopping abilities. The digger award went to Larocque and game star went to Majeran.

These amazing hockey games that parents and fans were able to watch highlighted the improved skills of the entire team. The coaching staff that has been working hard and having fun developing these skills are Rob Murray, Fred Pynn, Adrien Michelutti and John Majeran.

The Carroll Aeros’ next trip away from Thompson will be to Shoal Lake, Man. for a chance to compete for the rural D provincial title. This will be the first Carroll Aero team to compete for a provincial title. The entire team is looking forward to this opportunity.