Last weekend of October was busy for Suns

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

October has come and gone as Taber Golden Suns teams continue to hunt for wins in the Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL).

U11

For the U11 Suns, it was a one-game weekend at home as they hosted the Medicine Hat Hounds on Sunday. After no goals in the first, Taber would take a 3-1 lead in the middle frame. Despite being outscored in the third, they were able to hold on for a 5-4 win on home ice. Blake Bryan scored twice while Parker Avison and Rhett Schooten each had a goal and an assist. Carter Wiest had the other Taber goal while Heston Honess, Maddex Howg, Carter Van Braak, and Eisa Muminovic all had an assist. Remington Jardine was solid in net with a 25-save performance to collect the win.

It’s a busy start to November as the U11 Suns begin with a two-game road trip to begin the month. On Saturday, they head to Okotoks to face off against the Oilers. Sunday morning sees the team head to Lethbridge to take on Hurricanes White. After the first few games, the Suns sit tied for second place with Brooks, Bow Valley, and Olds as all four teams start the season 3-0.

U13

October ended with two home games for the U13s. On Saturday, they welcomed in the Wheatland Warriors, which resulted in a nail-biter. Heading into the third tied at 2-2, the Suns were unable to find a goal as they fell 3-2. Holden Emelson and Ben Souter scored the goals as Levi Hanf had a pair of assists, while Jackson Wiest and Dane Beckie had one each. Lance Leusink made the start in net for Taber and made 33 saves on 36 shots.

Sunday’s actions saw the Medicine Hat Hounds come to town. The teams would trade goals back and forth all game, and neither would be able to find a game-winner as it ended tied 5-5. Wiest scored and had two assists to lead the way as Ben Wojszel scored two, Hanf had a goal and an assist, Lincoln Braun hit the back of the net and Beckie and Burke Williams notched an assist each. Dylan Volk made the start between the pipes and made 22 saves on 27 shots.

It’s an off weekend from AEHL action as the U13 Suns return to the regular season with a home game on Nov. 9 against Red Deer. The Suns currently sit in last place in the South Division with a 0-5-3 record and three points.

U15

The U15 Suns were also at home for a pair of games this past weekend. Saturday’s action saw the Suns matched up against the Bow Valley Timberwolves. Thanks to three straight goals across the second and third periods, the Suns were able to skate to a 5-3 win to begin the weekend. Cohen Kleisinger scored two, while the other goals came from Rudy Wojszel, Deacon Webb, and Grayson Honess. Ryder Nault, Cole Swanson, Cale Ste-Croix, Ryder Nielsen, Hudson Stenger, Travis Jackson, Nash Skanderup, and Dallas Alberts all had an assist in the win. Drew Tame was the winning netminder with 35 saves on 37 shots.

Wrapping up the month, Taber matched up against the East Kootenay Avalanche. Taber would be outshot 49-19 in the game and lose 3-1. Wojszel scored the goal with Nielsen and Swanson drawing the assists. Talen Sarathlal had a great performance in net with 46 saves on 49 shots.

This coming weekend sees the Suns on the road for a pair. On Saturday, they head to Medicine Hat to take on the West Central Tigers. On Sunday, the face-off against the Olds Grizzlys. The Suns currently sit in last place in the South Division with a 1-8-0 record and two points.

U18

One home game came and went for the U18 Suns as they welcomed in CNHA Black. Despite outshooting the visiting team 50-49, Taber fell 8-4. Lincoln Weiss scored and had two assists, Raiden Koizumi, Heston Hansen, and Hunter Simpson scored the other goals, and Chase Stronge and Landon McEwen had an assist each. Dakota Hurst was busy between the pipes with 41 saves.

No regular-season game comes this weekend for the U18s as they prepare for a home game against Okotoks on Nov. 9. Taber currently sits tied in third place with Medicine Hat in the South Division with a 3-5-1 record and seven points.