Midget Suns rise into win column

Taber midget “AA” Golden Suns finally entered the win column in this young South Central Alberta Hockey League season and boy, was it a win.

The team earned the split in a two-game homestand at the Taber arena over the weekend to make its record at 1-6. But that win just happened to come against the north-division-leading Red Deer Graphics (7-1), handing that team its first loss of the regular season in a 5-3 Suns victory.

“We played a full 60 minutes and pressured the puck and our goaltending was outstanding. The big thing was we got shots on net and we crashed the net and got rebounds,” said Jeremey Kenyon, co-coach of the Taber midget “AA” Golden Suns. “The pucks are starting to go in. We had a couple of nice goals from the slot, but all our goals were created from hard work and creating turnovers by other players. We worked really hard, the intensity was great along with the pressure. We dominated the Red Deer team.”

Jared Broderson potted two goals in the game to go with singles from Brock Boutillier, Ryan Tessemaker, and Calvin Swanson. Dylan Heppler had two assists with Swanson, Cody Turner and Matthew Kaga getting helpers as well. Dylan Swanson faced 27 shots on net to earn the win for the Suns.

Earlier the team dropped a 4-3 decision to Foothills Bisons on Friday at the Taber arena.

Boutillier, Matthew Nadeau and Justin Tams scored for the Suns with Nadeau also getting an assist along with Cole Nakamura. Dillan Kelly faced 43 shots on net in the loss.

“I thought we matched up very well, but we didn’t come out very sharp over for the first couple of periods and unfortunately that kind of put us behind the 8-ball going into the third,” said Kenyon. “We came out playing on fire in the third where we pretty much dominated that period. Coming out flat, it was hard to bounce back after that which unfortunately it was a little too late. Fortunately, we were able to use that intensity we had in the third period and carried on against Red Deer the next day.”

The team now hits the road against Airdrie Lightning on Saturday and then moves onto Calgary on Sunday to play CNHA Blazers.

“I think our win on Saturday sort of turned the kids heads that we can beat any team at any time as long as we come to the rink ready to work. If they continue that, we will definitely be a successful team,” said Kenyon.

PEEWEE: Taber peewee “AA” Golden Suns (3-3-1) dropped a 7-4 decision to Foothills Bisons (5-4-0) on the road on Saturday.

Dylan Nevil registered two goals and two assists in the game. Derrien Tonin and Tristan Miller had singles and Darian Virostek and Haysyn Ostrup had assists. Carl Tetachuk faced 47 shot son net for the Suns.

Taber peewee “AA” Golden Suns are on the road on Friday against Medicine Hat Venom White before returning home to the Taber arena on Sunday for a 7:45 p.m. tilt against Red Deer.

BANTAM: Taber bantam “AA” Golden Suns (4-5-) split its games over the weekend starting off with a 12-2 win over Edge School (0-5) on Friday in Vauxhall.

Logan Wiebe led the scoring barrage with four goals and three assists. Brock Palmer notched two goals to go with five assists. Clay Leismeister had a goal and four assists. Brant Mack had a single to go with two assists and Hunter Johnson, Linden Gouw and Logan Kiss each had a goal and an assist. Kolten Heins also tallied with Clayton Miller getting an assist.

Taber bantam “AA” Golden Suns followed up with a 6-2 loss on the road to Wheatland Warriors on Saturday.

Wiebe and Gouw scored with assists from Palmer, Johnson, Kiss and Mack. Scott Tersteeg faced 43 shots on net.

Taber bantam “AA” Golden Suns have a two-game road trip this weekend starting off with a Saturday game against Badlands Longhorns and a Sunday game against Lethbridge Hurricanes.