Copperheads begin exhibition play Sept. 16

By Garrett Simmons
Sunny South News

Main camp has kicked off for the Coaldale Copperheads as the team prepares for the 2023/2024 Heritage Junior Hockey League season.

Things get underway on Saturday, Sept. 16 at The Snake Pit arena, as the Copperheads are set to face off against the Medicine Hat Cubs in exhibition action. On Sept. 17, the teams will back at it in exhibition play, this time in the Hat at the Kinplex at 3 p.m.

Coaldale is coming off a 2022/2023 campaign where the team finished with a 13-20 record, with five overtime points, which resulted in a 31-point season. The Copperheads finished fifth overall in the South Division and lost in game three in overtime against Strathmore in the playoffs.

The Okotoks Bisons return as the back-to-back HJHL champions, as the team is coming off a 4-0 sweep of the Cubs in the league final.

Coaldale’s quest for the playoffs begins Saturday, Sept. 23, when the Copperheads begin the regular season with a two-game homestand. Saturday’s game at 7 p.m. will feature the High River Flyers, while Sunday’s 5 p.m. contest will see the Cubs head back to Coaldale.

The team’s home-ice schedule continues the following weekend, with a Sept. 30 game against the Mountainview Colts and an Oct. 1 game against the Cochrane Generals.

On Oct. 7, Coaldale will hit the road for the team’s first away game against the Colts.

The regular season continues until Coaldale’s final game, set for Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. against the High River Flyers.

Taking over coaching roles for the new season will be co-head coaches Cody Moskal and Geoff Oster, along with assistants Kyle Hulit and Josh Oster.

For more information on the Copperheads, visit the team online at www.coaldalecopperheads.com.

League information can be found at www.heritagejunior.com.

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