Coaldale’s playoff hopes evaporate as Copperheads drop series to Okotoks Bisons

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Garrett Simmons
Sunny South News

It’s next-year country for the Coaldale Copperheads.
On Friday, the 2025/2026 season came to an end for the Heritage Junior Hockey League team after an 8-2 loss on the road to Okotoks.

It was a tough end to the playoffs, after Coaldale dropped game one of the HJHL playoffs in a tight 4-2 at home.

In game one, the Copperheads ignited the home crown early, as Eric Price’s unassisted goal opened the playoffs on a high note for Coaldale.

After Okotoks tied the game near the midway point of the opening frame, the Bisons scored a late goal with 31 seconds left to take a 2-1 advantage into the locker room.

In the second, Seamus Garagan completed his natural hat trick for Okotoks, as the Bisons extended the lead to 3-1.

Cohen Richardson’s powerplay goal later in the period gave the home side life, as Griffin McCulloch and Caden Still added the assists.

But as the teams battled it out in the third, Nathan Flanagan’s unassisted goal gave Okotoks a little insurance, as the Bisons skated way with a 4-2 win.

Brylin Noble made 27 saves in the game, as Okotoks held a 31-23 advantage on the shot clock.

Game two didn’t go Coaldale’s way early, as Okotoks struck first in the opening frame and then scored the first two goals of the second to build a 4-0 lead.

Richardson went on the score back-to-back goals for Coaldale, as the Copperheads had life with the Okotoks lead trimmed to 4-2. Nathan Verloop and John Vanden Elzen assisted on both of Richardson’s goals.

But it only took Okotoks 57 seconds to respond, as the Bisons made it 5-2 right after Richardson’s second goal.

That was a sign of things to come in the third, as Okotoks scored three unanswered goals and left the rink with a decisive victory.

Noble made 36 saves for Coaldale, as the Bisons outshot the Copperheads 44-36 in the game.