After a rough 2012, the start 0f 2013 has looked promising for the Taber bantam “AA” Golden Suns as it earned two victories to kick off the year.
Snake bitten in 2012, in which the bantam Suns have come very close numerous times in tight losses, fortunes have been reversed in 2013.
The bantam Golden Suns kicked off 2013 with a 4-2 doubling of Red Deer Steel Kings at the Taber arena on Friday.
“It’s huge for momentum,” said Ryan Fujita, head coach of the bantam “AA” Golden Suns.

“I’ve been looking at these two games for over a month now. The way the schedule was set up,  I knew we had a tough start. We haven’t been getting the results at the beginning of the year we wanted. We’ve had seven one-goal losses. But the kids never changed. They stayed focused  and kept learning trying to get better. Their effort for the most part has always been consistent.”
Jayden Bexte netted two goals against the Steel Kings with Logan Middleton and Brant Mack getting singles. Ace Wenbourne had two assists with Bexte, Kaden Fujita, Brock Palmer, Reed Odland and Linden Gouw also getting helpers. Tanner Florchinger faced 29 shots on net to preserve the win.
“We got the first goal that game, which was huge, but then we gave it right back right away. Then we answered right back. It was good to see the kids not take a step back and keep pushing forward,” said Fujita.
It was another good homecoming in a 6-2 victory over Lacombe Rockets at the Taber arena on Saturday, a game where the Suns were able to avenge an earlier loss in a game they let slip away in 2012 against the Rockets.
“We played them earlier in the year and we spotted them a 4-0 lead and then made it 4-3 and really carried the last five or 10 minutes of the game where I really believed if we had a little more time, we would have tied it up or won it,” said Fujita. “Coming into Saturday’s game, we got off to the right start and the kids pushed hard and we got some momentum. Kids contributed who had been snake bitten before with Brandyn Howg and Chase Gedny in trying to find the back of the net which was really good to see.”
Gedny potted two goals in the win along with Shawn Adams. Howg and Palmer had singles. Fujita drew three assists with Odland and Middleton each getting two helpers. Gouw, Logan Wiebe and Hunter Johnson each had single assists. Florchinger faced 25 shots o net to get the win.
Taber bantam “AA” Golden Suns are on the road on Saturday against the Airdrie Lightning where every point for the bantam Golden Suns will be crucial in 2013 if the team is to have any playoff aspirations.
“We are in playoff mode right now. We have to steal points where we can and win the games we’re supposed to and try and make the playoffs. It will go down to the wire,” said Fujita. “We can only take care of ourselves, we can’t worry about what anyone else is doing. For the most part, we are going to just keep pushing forward.”
PEEWEE: Taber peewee “AA” Golden Suns earned a tie and a loss on the weekend in SCAHL action.
Saturday’s road contest against Okotoks Oilers was one to forget for the peewee “AA” Golden Suns, who after scoring the game’s first goal, gave up 16 unanswered goals in a 16-1 loss. Dakota Koch scored the lone Suns’ tally, getting assists from Tyson Meier and Cole Jensen. Carl Tetachuk and Andrew Makarchuk were under siege in goal, facing 85 shots combined for the Suns.
Taber peewee “AA” Golden Suns were able to bounce back somewhat on Sunday in a 4-4 draw against Medicine Hat Venom Black at the Taber arena. William Wallace, Landon Veluw, James Halverson and Meier scored for the Suns. Ryan Hewitt had two assists with Halverson, Haysyn Ostrup and Kyle Hulit getting single helpers. Tetachuk faced 33 shots on net to preserve the tie in goal.
Taber peewee “AA” Golden Suns are on the road on Friday against the Wheatland Braves and then return home on Sunday for a 3:30 p.m. game against Red Deer at the Taber arena.
MIDGET: Taber midget “AA” Golden Suns lost both of its SCAHL games on the weekend.
The midget Golden Suns were edged 4-3 by Red Deer Elks at the Taber arena on Saturday.
Logan Kerner tallied twice for the Suns who got a single from Calvin Swanson. Kerner, Swanson, Matt Perin, Tyler Tessemaker, Matt Nadeau and Trey Blackmer had assists. Perin faced 56 shots on net in the loss for the Suns.
“Matt played unbelievable,” said Virgil Olson, head coach of the Taber midget “AA” Golden Suns. “That game was ours, and then we got some questionable calls and we got into the penalty box. We were playing a little too aggressive and they didn’t get ahead of us until the third period.”
Sunday’s home contest was a 6-2 loss to Airdrie Lightning.
swanson and Kerner scored with assists from Nadeau and Blackmer. Dylan Swanson faced 34 shots on net for the Suns.
Taber midget “AA” Golden Suns play Medicine Hat Venom on Friday at the Taber arena at 8:30 p.m. The team is then on the road against the Venom on Saturday.