Taber Oil Kings hit the ice for CAHL tiering round

By Cole Parkinson
For Taber Times

The time has come for Taber Oil King teams to return to the ice for the Central Alberta Hockey League tiering round.

U11

The U11 Oil Kings kicked off their season with a pair of games this past weekend as they started in Tier 4. On Friday evening, the Oil Kings hit the road to take on Raymond for a high-scoring game. In a back-and-forth affair, the Oil Kings were able to carve out a 7-6 win. Lincoln Braun and Cage Holcek each notched a hat trick and an assist to lead the way. Cooper Ross had a pair of assists, Ryden Baker had the other goal, and Arlo Van Geest chipped in with an assist. Dylan Volk got the start in net and made 36 saves on 42 shots.

Looking to make it a 2-0 weekend, the Oil Kings welcomed in Vauxhall on Saturday afternoon. In another tight game, the Oil Kings were once again able to prevail with a 4-3 win. Braun had another two goals and an assist in the win while Holcek sniped a pair of goals. Baker and Paxton Foote had singles for Taber. Volk was back in net for the Oil Kings and once again was stellar making 43 saves on 47 shots.

U13

The U13 Oil Kings also started the tiering round in Tier 4 and had a two-game weekend. Friday night saw the Oil Kings take on Picture Butte on the road. Both teams saw their offences go off, but Taber was able to pot a few more goals en route to a 10-7. Dalan Blasetti and Logan Rabusic led the Taber offence with a hat trick each while Kash Kover had a goal and two assists, Wyatt Valgardson scored two goals, Mitchell Kimoto tallied one goal, and Cooper Broderson, Seth Jespersen, and Samuel Hathaway each had an assist. Chance Crowson was in the blue paint and made 19 saves on 26 shots.

On Saturday, the Oil Kings were back on the road as they took on Pincher Creek. This time it was also Taber as the Oil Kings blanked Pincher Creek 8-0. Blasetti was on fire yet again posting a hat trick and an assist, Kover had a goal and three assists, Blake Untereiner had a hat trick, Kimoto had a goal, and Theoren Bolig, Jespersen, Hathaway, Broderson, Rabusic, and Valgardson each had an assist. Crowson secured the shutout with nine saves.

Taber returns to the ice this coming weekend when they welcome in Coaldale on Saturday for a 3 p.m. puck drop. Sunday sees Taber hit the road to take on Foothills at 11 a.m.

U15

The U15 Oil Kings started their tiering round in Tier 3 and started their season on the road against Bow Island on Friday. It was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams and Taber was able to secure the 6-5 win thanks to a late goal. Nate Kramer had two of the Taber goals while Lincoln Wiebe, Ethan Volk, and Julian Woordman each had a goal and an assist. Jaxson Badura had two assists in the win while Jenner Workman also chipped in with a single goal. Jack Lukacs got the start in net and the netminder made 46 saves on 51 shots.

The Oil Kings hit the ice again on Sunday when they saw Fort Macleod come to town. Unfortunately for Taber, the visitors were victorious with a 7-1 win. Ryder Nielsen scored the lone Taber goal while Volk and Workman had the assists. Brodyn Sutka was busy between the pipes as the goalie faced 73 shots.

The U15 Oil Kings regroup on Friday night when they hit the road to Kainai for a 7 p.m. game. Then on Saturday, Medicine Hat comes to Taber for a 5:30 p.m. puck drop.

U18

Tier 3 was also where the U18 Oil Kings found themselves to start the season. On Friday night, the team was in Magrath to kick off the season. It was a close battle but the home team was able to skate to a 5-2 win. Kellen Lauren and Tristen Egeland-Cusker had the Taber goals while Kylan Odland, Mason Van Seters, and Jaxson Coutts had an assist each. Ty Doris was the starting goalie for Taber and made 34 saves on 39 shots.

On Sunday, Brooks came to town and were unruly guests as they blanked Taber 7-0. Avery Remfert got the start in net and made 38 saves on 45 shots.

The U18 Oil Kings look to turn the tides this coming weekend with a pair of games. On Friday night, Taber sees Foothills come to Taber for an 8:15 p.m. game. Saturday has Taber on the road to take on Medicine Hat with a 7 p.m. puck drop.