Mighty Mites muscle the puck
The fans of the Taos Jr. Ice Tigers 8U (Mites) traveled en masse and logged many miles on Saturday (Feb. 4) to watch the young hockey squad play a couple of games away from Taos.
First, they followed the team to Albuquerque early in the afternoon (1:45 p.m.) to watch them play against the Ice Wolves at the Outpost Performance Space. After a trek north, they then watched the Mites match up against the Santa Fe Capitals right before sunset (5:15 p.m.) at the Santa Fe Genoveva Chavez Community Center.
Taos defeated the Ice Wolves 6-2. Aries Edmiston scored all 6 goals for Taos. Cash Hurtado played goalie and blocked nearly 40 shots on goal minus the two that slipped past.
In the later game at Santa Fe, Taos defeated the Capitals 15-6. Edmiston more than doubled his previous offensive output with 14 goals against Santa Fe. There is no terminology in the sport of hockey for that many goals. Edmiston was one goal shy of a quintuple-hat-trick. He would take the puck from one side of the rink and skate all the way around his own goal and back out to the otherside, weave through a couple of defenders, take a little of bit of contact every now and then, and then he’d square up to slide it past Santa Fe into the net. Roman Brown scored the other goal.
“We have always referred to the away tournaments as ‘making memories,’ little moments of togetherness,” said Santana Sheree Spruce, one of the hockey parents that made the trip on Saturday. “My kids always have their bags packed, anxiously waiting by the door before traveling for any game. I know they truly enjoy it and have fun. Making lifelong memories with each other, teammates, coaches and parents is what it’s all about. Winning is just an added plus. We have fun no matter the outcome and just enjoy being together.”