Copperheads begin season at 2-0 with two one-goal wins to start HJHL season

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Garrett Simmons
Sunny South News

As far as opening weekends go, this one could not have gone better for the Coaldale Copperheads.

Coaldale started the Heritage Junior Hockey League season with two wins on home ice. Saturday’s season opener was a tight 2-1 victory over Okotoks, a game where neither team could get on the scoreboard until the final frame.

Spencer Talerico-Kucheran got the home side on the board first with a goal 4:11 into the third period, as the Copperheads struck first on a goal assisted by Ryan Burrows.

Coaldale made it 2-0 late in the third on a Nathan Verloop goal, assisted by Brett Hudey and Cohen Richardson.

Okotoks made it interesting with a goal with only 33 seconds left on the clock but in the end, the Copperheads held on for the win.

Brylin Noble picked up the victory in net, as he made 33 saves in goal.

On Sunday, the home side skated away with another one-goal victory, this time in a 4-3 win over the Medicine Hat Cubs.

It was a huge first period for Coaldale, as Caden Still opened the scoring for the Copperheads, as Hudey and Richardson drew the helpers.

Barrett Van Nistelrooy made it 2-0 as Richardson and Trey Schofield had the assists. It was 3-0 just moments later, as Eric Price tucked home a goal assisted by Verloop and Kobe Fujita.

But before the period was up, the Cubs struck to make it 3-1.

In the third, Brinley Degenstein extended Coaldale’s lead to two goals once again, with a goal assisted by Schofield.

Once again, the Cubs fought back, as the Hat scored almost immediately after the 3-1 goal. Then, with only 52 seconds left in the game, the Cubs scored again to make it a 3-2 contest.

Coaldale shut the door from there, as Noble won his second game in as many nights, this time thanks to 23 saves, as the Copperheads ended the night with a 29-26 advantage over the Cubs on the shot clock.

Now, with a 2-0 start to the regular season, the Copperheads will be back at home Saturday for a 7 p.m. game against the Airdrie Thunder.

The homestand continues Sunday with a 5 p.m. puck drop against the High River Flyers.