Regular season nearing end for Oil Kings 

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Taber Times

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

Freezing temperatures persist in southern Alberta, but the Central Alberta Hockey League regular season is reaching its end. This past weekend, Taber Oil Kings teams were back on the ice to compete for points before the playoffs begin later this month.

U11

The U11s played two games this weekend, hosting Irvine and Brooks Blue. In Saturday’s game against Irvine, the Oil Kings fell 11-3. Seth Denny scored twice, Lucas Bowman had two assists, Dreyton Kinniburgh scored the other goal, and Nash Funk collected an assist. Boston Bassett made four saves on six shots, while Kohen Ilczynski made 21 saves on 30 shots.

Sunday was another tough game as the Oil Kings lost 10-3 against Brooks Blue. Funk had two of the Taber goals while Seth Denny had the other. West Valgardson found the scoresheet with an assist. Bassett was back in net and made 27 saves on 37 shots.

Next up is a single game on Saturday as Bow Island comes to town for a 10:15 a.m. puck drop.

U13 Tier 3

The U13 Tier 3 squad also had a pair of home games this weekend. First up was a date against the Coaldale Cobras on Saturday afternoon. In a low-scoring game, neither team was able to secure a win as it ended up tied at two apiece. Mitchell Kimoto and Lincoln Braun were the Taber goal scorers while Luca Nielsen, Ryden Baker, and Samuel Hathaway had an assist each. Dylan Volk was solid in the Taber net as the goalie made 29 saves on 31 shots.

On Sunday, Okotoks Gold was in town and they cruised to a 7-2 victory over the Oil Kings. Logan Rabusic scored both Taber goals and Kimoto, Braudn, and Baron Stang all collected one assist. Volk was back in net and made 27 saves on 34 shots.

Two more games come this weekend for the Oil Kings as they head to Coaldale on Friday for a 5:15 p.m. puck drop. The weekend concludes with a home game against Lethbridge on Sunday at 1 p.m.

U13 Tier 4

The Tier 4 U13s had two home games this weekend as they took on Redcliff and Brooks. Friday night’s match saw plenty of goals on both sides, but it was the visitors who walked away with an 8-6 win. Wyatt Valgardson, Kendall Rae Clement, Holden Lyon, and Cage Holcek all notched a goal and an assist, Tyrion Ewing and Arlo Van Geest scored once each, and Cooper Ross and Holden Capner had one assist each. Aidyn Derksen Arnel made 24 saves on 32 shots in the Taber crease.

Sunday’s game against Brooks was another high-scoring affair, but this time Taber emerged victorious with an 8-7 win. Lyon had a hat trick, Luke Engwer had two goals and an assist, Ross scored twice, Holcek had a goal and an assist, Van Geest collected two assists, and Valgardson, Mason Woordman, and Ewing all found the scoresheet with an assist. Derksen Arnel was back between the pipes and made 31 stops.

This coming weekend is another two-gamer as the team hits the road on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game against Foremost. They return home on Sunday as Bow Island comes to town for a 10:30 a.m. puck drop.

U15

Only one game was on tap for the U15 Oil Kings as they hosted Lethbridge on Saturday evening. Taber scored early and often as they steamrolled their way to a 13-1 win. Ryder Nielsen led the way with three goals and four assists, Mitchell Kimoto had three goals and two assists, Cooper Broderson scored once and added four assists, Lincoln Wiebe scored four, Logan Rabusic had a goal and three assists, Kellon Schalk notched a goal and two assists, Jaxson Badura added two assists, and Blake Untereiner had a single assist. Brodyn Sutka had a 22-save win in the Taber net.

The U15s now prepare for a two-game weekend that sees them head to Vauxhall on Friday to take on Medicine Hat at 6 p.m. On Saturday night, they host Irvine for an 8 p.m. puck drop.

U18

Two games were on tap for the U18s which included a home game on Saturday night against Brooks Blue. In a close game, it was the home squad that was able to carve out a 4-3 win. Kayden Kress had a hat trick and an assist in the win, Konnor Wiebe scored a goal and added an assist, and Jasper Sidam and Skylar Jensen added an assist each. Avery Remfert made 33 saves on 36 shots in net.

Sunday’s game against Kainai saw the two teams score plenty of goals, but Taber was once again victorious as they took it 8-5. Kress scored four more and had an assist, Lincoln Wiebe potted two goals, Samuel Klaas had a goal and an assist, Wiebe scored once, and Sidam, Evan Untereiner, and Maizie Skiba all had an assist. Ty Dorin started in net and collected the win.

One game is on tap this weekend for the U18s as they host Picture Butte on Friday night. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.