Copperheads and Atom B Blades hit the ice

This past weekend completed the Coaldale Copperheads’ fifth three-game weekend of play this season. It’s been a tough schedule with the team falling to current third place. With limitless home games remaining in the regular schedule, the Snakes need to make every game count. The Okotoks Bisons sit three points ahead of the Copperheads for second. Prime spots for playoffs are first and second giving teams a bye in the first round.
Thursday night the Snakes opened up 2017 by travelling to Medicine Hat and winning 7-2. Dillan Kelly earned the 21 saves in the goal crease against the Cubs. First period the Copperheads lead 4-0 with goals from Calvin Swanson, Ryan Tessemaker, Ryan Swier, and Levi Anderson. Remaining goal scorers the rest of the game came from Jayden Smith, Austin Huculak and a second goal from Swier.
Friday night it was another late night trip to Didsbury. It was an excellent back to back game for 60 minutes against the top north division Colts.
First period neither team scored; second period score was 2-2. Clay Vogt and Brady Parenteau collected the double points to that mark. Third period was an important one with the Colts pulling ahead 4-2 at the 6:50 and the 15:19 mark. The Snakes answered back with a goal from Clay Vogt at 15:41. Goaltender Dylan Swanson saved 38 shots to that point and was pulled from the crease, allowing the Colts to get an open net goal ending a 5-3 score.
On home ice Saturday night, the Copperheads lost to the top south division Cochrane Generals 3-2. It was another super effort game for the team with scores tight all game long for fans. Following the first period the Snakes lead 3-2 with goals from Clay Vogt and Brenden Benson. Second period saw only a General goal being scored (2-2). Not from lack of effort, during the third period the Snakes could not get an additional goal past the tender of the Cochrane team sending 21 shots his way in the lone period versus their 10 on goaltender Dillan Kelly. At 8:51, the Generals scored, which finalized the end score of 3-2.
As mentioned earlier, the Copperheads have a remaining three home games left of the season. Next being this coming Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. against the Okotoks Bisons. It will be a game to test who wants or has the luck to secure that second place finish spot.
It was back to action for the Picture Butte Atom B Blades after a well-earned Christmas break. A weekend full of games saw the team end up with two exhibition games and a league game with a record of 1-2.
Friday saw the Blades have a tough exhibition game loss against the Lethbridge Blackhawks. Points came from Tanner Quinn and Luka Rudelich.
Saturday was an across the border match-up with the Great Falls Americans. A fast-paced game saw the Blades come out on top with points from Riley VanZeggelaar, Luka Rudelich (two goals), Connor O’Donnell (two goals), Hector Peralta, Kyle Harrington, Clara Slomp, Ben Kress, and Tanner Quinn. The weekend wasn’t over yet with Sunday action league play in Taber. A well-played game ended with a loss, but points were still acquired by Riley VanZeggelaar, Hector Peralta, Connor O’Donnell, Tanner Quinn (two points), Ben Kress (two points), Luka Rudelich, and Clara Slomp.
Kaden Groenenboom had an action-packed weekend in goal defending the Blades net for all three games. A game against Raymond should keep the Blades on their skate edges next weekend, as well as the excitement about their upcoming home tournament.
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