On a snowy Tuesday night in Sun Valley, the Sun Valley Suns opened their season with an exhibition game win over a Future/Past Suns team nicknamed the "Celebrities" by a score of 7-3.
The Sun Valley Ice Rink was packed for the game as all proceeds went directly to the Sun Valley Junior Hockey program. The current Suns pulled away in the third period, opening a 3-1 lead at the end of the second to a final 7-3 trouncing of the Celebs.
The big winner, however, was the hometown crowd. It was a nostalgic treat to see former Suns such as John Burke, Beets Johnson, Steve McCoy, Bobby Noyes, Tim Jenenson, Hermie Haavik, Charlie Holt, Glenn Hunter, Dave Hutchinson, Dale Johnson, Dick Nelson and Mark Broz lace them up again and play some puck.
"It was a huge success," John Burke remarked. "It exceeded our expectations."
JJ. Hanley led the current Suns scoring with three goals including the opening goal of the third period. Scott Winkler and Ryan Enrico each had two goals with Enrico scoring the first of the game at 12:37 of the first.
The Celebrity Suns were led by up-and-comers Blake Jensen and Joey Sides, each with three offensive points.
In goal, Bobby Farrelly stopped 56 shots for Future/Past while Dave Stone brushed aside 27 for the Suns.
Penalties were few in this exhibition game pitting Sun against Sun.
It was a proper and effective warm up for a Suns team that faces a tough home opener against the McCall Manchester Mountaineers (3-3) on Friday. Earlier this month, the teams split at McCall, with the Suns winning 7-3 and losing 4-3.
More Suns events in the upcoming weeks include Jan 8., Hailey Ice Rink; Feb. 12, Blaine County Recreation District; Feb. 19, Sun Valley Junior Hockey/Brett Sammis Scholarship Fund; and March 5, "Girls on the Run."
Scoring from Tuesday: Current Suns: Hanley 3/0, Enrico 2/0, Chris Warrington 0/1, Jamie Ellison 0/1, Josh Jacobsen --0/1, Vilnis Nikolaisons 0/1, Frank Salvoni 0/1, Winkler 2/0, Kris Webster 0/1, Brian Winkler 0/2.
Future/Past Suns: Jensen 2/1, Sides 1/2, Justin Taylor 0/1, Dave Hutchinson 0/1.
Dale Johnson, John Miller and John Burke, a combined 30 seasons with the Suns, strike a pose before the exhibition game between the Sun Valley Suns and the Celebrities Tuesday night at the Sun Valley rink.
