Copperheads battle hard in Game 4 but come up short

By Cole Parkinson
Sunny South News

It was all on the line for the Coaldale Copperheads last Wednesday night as the Medicine hat Cubs came to town looking for a four-game sweep in the second round of Heritage Junior ‘B’ playoffs.

After dropping the first three games, the Copperheads were hopeful to stave off elimination at home for Game 4 in front of their home faithful. While Game 3 saw an 8-1 win in favour of the Cubs, the Snakes were ready for battle as they hoped to extend their season.

The first period saw the Cubs jump out to a 2-0 lead in the early portions of the period, but after the 10-minute mark, the Snakes would mount a comeback. James Halverson would pot the first Copperhead goal with Jason Creighton and Tristan Miller drawing assists to get Coaldale back within one. Before the end of the period with only a few minutes left on the board, Mason Sande would tie the game up with Logan Leroux drawing an assist on the goal.

With the game tied heading into the first intermission, the Snakes were outshooting Medicine Hat 10-8.

After no scoring through 12 minutes of the second period, the Cubs would retake the lead and the Copperheads were unable to find a tying goal before the end of the middle frame.

Heading into the last period of the game, the shots were 18-15 in favour of the Cubs. The third period saw both teams play strong defensively. Despite a pair of powerplays midway through the third period, the Copperheads were unable to pot a tying goal and the Cubs would secure a 3-2 win in the game and a 4-0 win in the series.

The Copperheads would go 0-3 on the powerplay and 3-3 on the penalty kill. Leroux was the starting netminder for Coaldale, making 20 saves on 23 shots.

The Cubs now take on the Okotoks Bisons in the South Final.

With the season now complete for the Copperheads, the team will see four overage players depart: Thomas Johnson, Tyson Meier, Braiden Burke. and Jason Creighton.

The Copperheads will return this fall.

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