U-18 wins first game of new year

By Rob Vogt
The Claresholm Under-18 Thunder opened 2026 with a bang, shutting out their opponent in their first game of the new year in Central Alberta Hockey League Tier-3 action.
The Thunder hosted Pincher Creek on Friday, Jan. 2, at Claresholm Arena, winning by a score of 5-0, as goaltender Finn Buhmiller made 24 saves for the shutout win.
The teams were scoreless after one period, then Claresholm exploded for three goals in the second period from Carson Ring, assisted by Kashtan Beutler and Cody Tompkins; Ty McLean with a wrist shot from the point, assisted by Grady Smith and Ring; and Beutler, assisted by Smith and Grayden Desjarlais.
The Thunder tacked on two more goals in the third period from Ring, assisted by Jace Campbell and Smith; and Josh Gibson-Morrison, assisted by Ring and Seannon Ocampo; to make the final score 5-0.
Claresholm closed out 2025 with a game in Magrath on Friday, Dec. 19, which they lost by a score of 5-1.
Scoring for the Thunder was Jace Flitton, unassisted.