Golden Suns back in action over weekend

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

It’s been a busy schedule for Taber Golden Suns teams in the new year and several teams were back on the ice this past weekend for Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) games.

U11

The U11 squad is back to AEHL games this coming weekend as they have a pair of road games. On Saturday, they take on Brooks Jr Bandits at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Okotoks Oilers welcome in the Suns for a 2:15 p.m. game. 

U13

It was a two-game weekend for the U13 Suns as they took on East Kootenay and Okotoks. Friday night saw The Suns and the Avalanche do battle in Vauxhall to kick off the weekend. East Kootenay jumped out to a 4-0 lead but Taber battled back not only to tie the game but to win it 6-5. Declan Okell had three assists, Shawn Mrowil had a goal and two assists, Barret DeVlieger, Cooper Lutz, and Boston Constant all had a goal and an assist, and Travis Jackson and Deacon Webb scored once. Nash Stober made 25 saves on 30 shots in the Taber net to collect the win.

Saturday’s game saw the Suns hit the road to take on the Okotoks Oilers. This time, the Suns were unable to mount a comeback as they fell 7-3. Blaze Wenzel, Constant, and Jackson were the goal scorers while Justin Siemens, Jaxon Kalo, and DeVlieger collected an assist each. Drew Tame was busy in the Taber net and goalie made 31 saves on 38 shots.

Two more games come this weekend for the Golden Suns as they hit the road on Saturday to take on the Medicine Hat Hounds. Puck drop is set for 3:15 p.m. On Sunday, the team heads back to Vauxhall to take on the Wheatland Braves at 1:30 p.m.

U15

It was a two-game weekend for the U15s as well as they had a pair of close games. On Saturday, the team took on East Kootenay in Vauxhall. Despite a great performance, the Suns were unable to find a game tying goal late as they lost 3-2. Tony King scored both Taber goals unassisted. Ashton Jensen was busy in net as the netminder made 39 saves on 42 shots. 

Sunday’s game saw the Suns head to Medicine Hat to take on the SEAC Tigers. This time, the score was the same but it was the Golden Suns who emerged victorious thanks to three unanswered goals. Ryland Span, Hudson Stenger, and King were the goal scorers while Bril Haraga, Ben Van Der Line, Jhett Stob er, and Hayden Eldridge all had an assist. Jack Lukacs got the win in net thanks to a 54-save performance. 

It’s a one-game weekend for the U15s as they play on Friday at home against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Puck drop is set for 8:15 p.m.

U18

The U18s were on the road for one game this weekend as they faced off against the Okotoks Oilers. Despite gaining a 2-0 lead in the game, the Suns couldn’t hold on as they fell 4-3. Grayson Beigel had a goal and an assist, Heston Hansen and Landon McEwen had a goal each, and Ryder Van Buskirk, Ryler Kiss, Nathan Rijkens, and Nixen Miller all chipped in with an assist. Dakota Hurst made 33 saves on 37 shots in the Taber net. 

The U18s now have an extra rest before their next AEHL action. They return on Feb. 8 against the NWCAA Stamps and Feb. 9 against the Wheatland Chiefs.