Copperheads poised to sweep South Final

Coaldale Copperheads

The Coaldale Copperheads are up  three games to none over the Okotoks Bisons in the south division final of the HJHL.

Wednesday in Coaldale the Copperheads were down 2 to 0  early in game one before coming back to an eventual 5-2 win. Levi Andersen got it started with a short handed marker late in the second to make it 2-1. It was all Coaldale in the third as they tallied four times, Anderson scoring his second of the night to tie it, and singles from Clay Nevil and Calvin Swanson. Jayden Bexte sealed the win with an empty netter at the 18:06 mark of the final period. The Copperheads peppered the Okotoks net with 52 shots while the Okotoks replied with 32 on starting goalie Nolan Berner.

Game 2 in Okotoks on Friday night was all Coaldale as the Snakes pounded the Bisons 6-1 on their home ice. The Copperheads got of to a quick start with three goals in the first period, with Okotoks responding with their one and only goal. A second period filled with penalties, mainly to the Bisons, resulted in the Copperheads going up 4-1.  Two more goals in the third sealed the road win for the Snakes. Sam Paskuski paced the Coaldale effort with two goals and one assist with single going to Mitchell Konschuk, Swanson, Ty Anderson and Jayden Bexte. The Copperheads hit the 50 shots on goal mark while replied with forty shots turned aside by another strong performance from Berner.

The team then stayed overnight in Calgary in order to attend team mate Morgan Simpsons emotional celebration of life Saturday morning. The boys then headed back to Coaldale for game three Saturday night at the Snake Pit. After an exhausting physical and mental couple days, the boys brought another win home for Morgan before a packed house. A solid effort led to a 3-1 victory and putting a stranglehold on the best of seven. Okotoks scored its lone goal with 1.5 seconds remaining to spoil Berner’s shut out. Coaldale goals were scored by Brandyn Howg, Mitchell Konschuk and Brandon Langridge. Berner turned aside 31 shots while Coaldale replied with 24.

Game four is Monday the 12th in Okotoks where the Snakes are on the brink to sweep the series and earn a south division trophy & banner. If the Snakes close the series on Monday it will be a repeat of their historical win three years ago. If game five is needed it will be held Wed. the 24th at 8:15 at the Snake Pit. Winner of this series will take on the winner between Red Deer and Airdrie for the league championship which currently sits at 2-1 for Red Deer. Both the south and north champions will attend provincials in Ft. St. John BC over Easter weekend.

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