Oil Kings race to end of CAHL regular season

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Taber Times

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

With playoffs on the horizon, Taber Oil Kings were back in action this past weekend as the Central Alberta Hockey League playoff picture solidifies. 

U11

The U11 Oil Kings saw two games this past weekend. First up was a tough test when they faced off against Lethbridge on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to a goal with four seconds left in the third, Lethbridge was able to secure a 4-3 win. Paxton Foote had two of the Taber goals while Tyrion Ewing had the other. Ryden Baker, Hudson Ilcyznski, and Cage Holcek had an assist each. 

Dylan Volk got the start in net and made 28 saves on 32 shots. 

Sunday saw Medicine Hat come tot town and once again it was a close matchup. Despite a furious come back in the third, it wasn’t enough for the Oil Kings as they fell 6-5. Lincoln Braun led the way with a hat trick and two assists, while Holcek and Ewing had a goal each, and Luca Nielsen, Ilcyznski, Calum Turcato, and Mason Woordman each had one assist. Volk was back between the pipes and made 26 saves on 32 shots. 

With the regular season now over the U11s, the team finished in sixth place out of nine teams in U11 Tier 2 Blue with a 5-10-1 record. 

U13

The U13s had one last regular season game this past weekend as they welcomed in Crowsnest Pass on Saturday. 

It was a high scoring game, but unfortunately the visitors were able to take the game 9-7. Logan Rabusic had two goals and an assist, Dallin Langhofer-Krahn had a goal and an assist, Dalan Blasetti, Mitchell Kimoto, Jaxson Tychsen, and Wyatt Valgardson all had one goal, and Theoren Bolig, Seth Jespersen, and Samuel Hathaway each had an assist. Aidyn Derksen Arnel got the start in net.

The U13 Oil Kings finished in last place in the U13 Tier 4 Blue with a 1-15 record. 

U15

Looking to run the table and go 16-0 in the regular season, the Oil Kings faced off against Bow Island in their final game. Thanks to a five goal second period, Taber cruised to a 7-2 win. Lincoln Wiebe had five of the Taber goals, Julian Woordman had a goal and an assist, Kellon Schalk and Nolan Rabusic had two assists each, Ryder Nielsen had a goal, and Ethan Volk and Adelyn Williamson had an assist each. Jack Lukacs got the start in net and made 38 saves on 40 shots.

The U15 Oil Kings atop Tier 3 Yellow with a 16-0 record. 

U18 

One game came and went for the U18 Oil Kings as they went out to Brooks on Friday night. 

Brooks Blue scored early and often as they beat the Oil Kings 11-5 on home ice. Tate Nakashima had a goal and two assists for Taber while Konnor Wiebe and Kayden Kress had two goals each. Kylan Odland, Tanner Fletcher, and Evan Untereiner each notched an assist. Ty Dorin was busy in the crease as the netminder made 65 saves on 76 shots. 

The U18s see their regular season come to an end next weekend when they finish out with a pair of games. On Friday, the team hits the road to take on Bow Island/Foremost before returning home for a rematch against Brooks Blue on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 4:15 p.m. 

Taber currently sits in second last place in Tier 3 Black with a 4-9-1 record.