Copperheads get into the win column in 2026 with victory over High River

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Garrett Simmons
Sunny South News

The Coaldale Copperheads picked up the team’s first win of 2026 with a 5-3 win on Friday over High River.

Coaldale needed the win in a big way, as a seven-game losing streak had the Copperheads tumble down the standings.

In High River, Coaldale came out firing and ended up directing 55 shots on net to High River’s 13, as the Copperheads outshot the opposition 19-3 in the opening frame.

Despite a huge edge in shots, Coaldale trailed 2-1 after 20, as Brinley Degenstein’s goal to open things up was quickly erased by two High River tallies.

Just 15 seconds into the second period, High River made it 3-1, as it looked like another tough night at the office for the Copperheads.

But Coaldale rallied to score three times in the second, as John Vanden Elzen started the comeback with a goal assisted by Ryan Burrows. Eric Price tied things up, as Kobe Fujita and Brett Hudey had helpers. Cohen Richardson scored to close out the period and make it 4-3 Coaldale.

Riley Preachuk’s empty netter finished things off, as Trey Schofield and Raiden Peter had the assists.

Everett Hauck made 10 saves to preserve the win.

Saturday, Coaldale couldn’t keep the good vibes going, as Strathmore skated to a 4-3 victory over the Copperheads.

It was a tough pill to swallow, as Coaldale outshot Strathmore 40-23, as the Copperheads had seven opportunities with the man advantage.

Strathmore scored first in the contest before Vanden Elzen knotted the score with a powerplay goal assisted by Ryan Holm and Caden Still. But before the period was up, Strathmore regained the lead with just over two minutes remaining.

A Strathmore shorthanded goal in the second made it 3-1, before Peter tickled the twine with a marker assisted by Drake Olineck and Lucas Alexander.

Richardson’s powerplay goal in the third tied things up, as Still had the assist, as Coaldale looked to finish the game strong. But midway through the third, a Strathmore goal crushed Coaldale’s hopes, as the Copperheads suffered a one-goal defeat. Brylin Noble made 19 saves in the game for Coaldale.

This weekend, Coaldale will finally get to host in 2026, as the team’s first home game on the New Year is set for Saturday at 8 p.m. against Okotoks.

On Friday, Coaldale will head north to face Cochrane.