U13 and U15 Suns return to the ice after summer break

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Taber Times

By Cole Parkinson
For Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Fall is certainly in the air and the Taber Golden Suns have picked their rosters and returned to the ice for the 2023-24 South Central Alberta Hockey League season.

U13

This past weekend saw the U13 Suns hit the road for their first trip of the season as they took on the East Kootenay Avalanche.

In the team’s first game of the season on Sept. 22, the Suns would see the first period open up with a 2-0 lead for the home side. The Suns would answer back in the second off the stick of Ben Van Der Linde with Declan Okell drawing the assist. Unfortunately for the Suns, the Avalanche would answer shortly after and take a 3-1 lead into the final frame. The Avalanche would start the third with a power play goal to extend the lead to three. With under six minutes to play, Lincoln Deleeuw would get one back for the Suns as Hayden Eldridge added an assist. That would be as close as they could make it as the U13 Suns dropped the first game 4-2. Drew Tame got the start between the pipes for Taber and made 28 saves on 32 shots.

In a rematch on Saturday, the Suns looked to take a victory of their own. While the Avalanche would open the period with a quick goal, the Suns’ power play would tie the game minutes later as Marcus Schwartz put one past the East Kootenay netminder. Hudson Stenger would draw the lone assist. Just over five minutes later, the Avalanche would put another on the board and took a 2-1 lead into the middle frame.

Near the midway point of the second period, Grayson Honess would get the Suns back within a goal as Schwartz collected the assist. From there, it was all Avalance as they would go on to score three unanswered goals before the buzzer sounded.

With a 5-2 lead heading into the third period, the Suns had plenty of work to do. While Jaxton Rodeback was able to score a goal for Taber, that would be all they could muster as the Suns fell 5-3. Lincoln Deleeuw would collect an assist on the final Suns’ goal of the game. Cale Campbell would start the game in net for Taber and collected 27 saves on 32 shots.

The U13 Suns return to the ice for a single game this coming weekend as they welcome in the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sunday morning. Puck drop is at 10:30 a.m. at the Taber Ice Arena.

U15

Like the U13 team, the U15 Golden Suns also hit the road this past weekend to take on the East Kootenay Avalance for a pair of games.

In their first action of the year on Sept. 23, the U15 Suns ran into a buzzsaw as the home team was able to skate to a 9-1 win. Nixen Miller scored the lone goal for the Suns while Heston Hansen collected the assist. Dakota Hurst played two periods in net as the netminder made 33 saves on 40 shots. Griffin Stenger played a period and made 12 saves on 14 shots.

In the rematch, the Suns were hoping to bring a better effort. While the Avalanche would take a 1-0 lead into the second period, the Suns would even it up midway through the second. Madix Miller potted the tying goal with Nixen Miller and Heston Hansen finding the scoresheet with the assists. East Kootenay would add two more before the period ended and took a 3-1 lead into the final frame.

The Avalanche would extend that lead to three at 13:31. The Suns would see Nixen Miller add another late in the period, but the team fell 4-2. Brooke Dyck and Hayden Wiscombe had the assists on the final goal for Taber. Stenger was back between the pipes in the second game and the goaltender was busy as he turned away 53 of 57 shots.

The U15 Suns have a lone game this coming weekend when they welcome in the Avalanche for their third straight matchup on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. at the Taber Ice Arena.

U18

The U18 Suns see their season start this coming weekend with a pair of home games.

On Saturday, the Suns welcome in the East Kootenay Avalanche for a 5 p.m. start. The following day, the Foothills Bisons come to Taber for a 3:30 p.m. puck drop.