Suns battle over the weekend

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times

It was another busy weekend for Taber Golden Suns teams as they looked to add some points in Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) action.

U11

The U11s only had one game of the schedule as they were on the road Sunday to Brooks to take on the Jr. Bandits. Despite a furious comeback in the third period from Brooks, Taber was able to hold them off for a 6-5 win. Blake Bryan led the way with a hat trick and an assist, Maddex Howg and Carter Van Braak each had a goal and an assist, Rhett Schooten had a pair of assists, Carter Wiest scored, and Heston Honess collected an assist. Remington Jardine made 27 saves on 32 shots in the Taber net to collect the win.

The team now regroups for a two-game home stand this coming weekend. Saturday has Lethbridge Hurricanes White come to Taber for a 12:45 p.m. puck drop. The weekend ends with a 10:30 a.m. matchup against the Bow Valley Timberwolves on Sunday.

U13

Looking to continue their hot start to the month, the U13 Suns had two games this past weekend against the East Kootenay Avalanche. In their first matchup, Taber would jump to an early lead, but the Avalanche would come roaring back. When the final buzzer sounded, the Avalanche had taken game one 9-4. Burke Williams scored two of the Taber goals while Lincoln Braun and Mason Emelson each scored and added an assist. Justin Siemens, Holden Emelson, and Peyton Honess each had an assist in the game. Dylan Volk was the starting netminder, and he made 37 saves on 46 shots.

Sunday’s matchup didn’t go Taber’s way either as they fell 12-2. Ben Wojszel had both of the Taber goals, and Levi Hanf had an assist in the game. Lance Leusink started in the Taber net and made 26 saves on 38 shots.

Taber looks to right the ship this weekend with a pair of home games. On Saturday, they welcome in the Bow Valley Timberwolves at 3 p.m. Sunday sees East Kootenay make the trip west for a 1 p.m. game time.

U15

Looking for four points this weekend, the U15 Suns had a pair of tough matchups. Friday evening saw the team on the road as they took on the Foothills Bisons. Unfortunately for the Suns, the Bisons would take a 3-0 lead into the third period and never give it up as Taber lost 6-1. Rudy Wojszel scored the lone Taber goal, assisted by Travis Jackson and Dallas Alberts. Drew Tame was in net for Taber and made 31 saves on 37 shots.

The following day saw the Suns back on the road to face the Wheatland Warriors. Once again, the Suns saw themselves down 3-0 and unable to fight their way back as they fell 5-2. Hudson Stenger had both Taber goals, while Nash Skanderup and Cohen Kleisinger had an assist each. Talen Sarathlal made 17 saves on 21 shots while Tame allowed one goal on one shot.

This coming weekend sees another two-pack for the U15 Suns, this time at home. Saturday at 5:30 p.m. has the Suns take on the Red Deer Steel Kings Chiefs. Sunday is a rematch against the Bisons with puck drop at 3:30 p.m.

U18

After a tough previous weekend, the U18s were looking for a rebound when they took to the ice. On Friday night, they were in Olds taking on the Grizzlys. Unfortunately, this one was all Olds as they cruised to an 11-1 win. Loki Thacker scored the lone goal, assisted by Madix Miller and Grayson Biegel. Dakota Hurst started for Taber and made 26 saves on 34 shots. Jack Lukacs made four saves on seven shots in relief.

Despite the lopsided loss to begin the weekend, the Suns looked to rebound on Saturday when they took on the Central Alberta Selects on the road. The Suns would bounce back in a big way as they skated to a 9-3 victory. Heston Hansen and Foster Weatherhead each scored two goals and had three assists, Liam Okell had two goals and two assists, and Chase Stronge scored a pair and added an assist. Hunter Simpson scored and had an assist, Landon McEwen had two assists, and Blake Smith had an assist. Lukacs got the start in net and made 27 saves on 30 shots.

Another two road games come this weekend for the U18s as Friday sees them in Medicine Hat to take on the Hounds. After an off day on Saturday, the Suns head out on Sunday to take on the Foothills Bisons.