Jim Parsons
The local Taggs Bantam ‘AA’ team competed in an eight-team tournament in Bemidji over the weekend, finishing in sixth place.
The squad started out with a spirited effort in a tight 1-0 loss to the Hibbing Bluejackets.
Taggs’ goalie Scott Parsons was stellar in a 41-save performance.
Their second game was a 5-2 loss to the Fargo North Raiders.
Scoring for Taggs were Hunter Leishman, assisted by Davis Ross and Judd Gardiman, and Abe Germain, assisted by Braden Webb.
The Raiders outshot Taggs 51-23, with Brandon Anderson kicking aside 46 shots.
Taggs won their third game of the tournament in convincing fashion, dumping the Devils Lake Flames 7-2 score.
Leishman led the way with two goals and an assist while Dylan Curtis had a goal and two assists.
The other goal scorers for Taggs were Tyler Mosbeck, Brody McPherson, Ahwennaseh Mitchell, and Nolan Ross while defenceman Davis Ross chipped in with two assists.
Parsons once again was solid in goal with 37 saves.
Taggs then started off on the right foot in their final game against Sartell, with Davis Ross providing a beautiful solo effort for their first goal.
But Sartell replied with three-straight goals for a 3-1 lead.
After Matt DeBenedet, assisted by Mosbeck, got one back, Sartell again stretched the lead to two goals late in the second period.
Taggs pressed in the third, with Germain notching a goal, assisted by Nolan Ross, to make the score 4-3.
The squad continued its spirited effort but even with Parsons on the bench late in the third in favour of an extra attacker, the team was unable to net the equalizer.
Taggs will play their next tourney in Kenora in mid-January.
