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Following weekend sweep of Okotoks and Medicine Hat, Coaldale sits 1st in HJHL Southern Division

Jan 29, 2018 | 2:34 PM

COALDALE – The Coaldale Copperheads, with just four games remaining in the regular season, are sitting in first place in the Southern Division of the Heritage Junior Hockey League following a weekend sweep of the Okotoks Bisons and Medicine Hat Travelodge Cubs.

On Friday, Jan. 27, the Copperheads doubled up the Bisons 6-3 on the strength of a three goal third period.

Chase Williamson, Levi Anderson, Isiah Day Chief, Calvin Swanson, Ty Abbott, and Jedd Horvath all scored for the Copperheads while goaltender Nolan Berner made 39 saves in the win.

The following night, back at home in the snake pit, the Copperheads had to overcome Cubs goaltender Josh Breznik but ultimately came away with a 3-2 overtime victory.

Coaldale outshot Medicine Hat 60-15 in the game.

Tyler Anderson’s goal just 38 seconds into overtime, assisted by Calvin Swanson and Ty Abbott, ended the night and thwarted Breznik’s brilliant performance.

The Copperheads now have 44 points on the season, and their record sits at 21-9-2.

Overall in the HJHL, only the Red Deer Vipers at 26-5-1 have a better record than the Copperheads right now.

The final four games of the regular season will be split between home and away for Coaldale.

On Saturday, Feb. 3 the Copperheads will host the Okotoks Bisons. Both teams are sitting on 44 points, but the Bisons have an additional regulation loss while the Copperheads hold a game in hand.

After that, a busy final weekend is scheduled for Feb. 9, 10, and 11.

On Friday night, Coaldale travels to High River to battle the Flyers. They return home on Saturday night to faceoff with the Strathmore Wheatland Kings, and then finish off against the Kings on Sunday night in the back half of a home-and-home.