Copperheads wind up season

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Sunny South News

Coaldale Copperheads

The Coaldale Copperheads wound down there 2017 -2018 season with their annual awards banquet this past Saturday.

This capped off a great season for the Snakes after winning the Heritage Junior League south division weeks ago. Following the south championship the Snakes faced the Red Deer Vipers in a best of three game series for league final coming up short 3-1.

Both teams qualified for provincials, which the Snakes then traveled 14 hours one-way to Fort St. John, B.C.

Host team Ft. St. John was the first adversary, who had won the North West championship, in addition to being the host team.

Coaldale won the opener in a decisive 5-0 victory Thursday night, after opening ceremonies. Friday the Copperheads faced the Wetaskiwin Icemen. Going into the third Coaldale was up 7-4. The Icemen surged in the third period for 4 unanswered goals as the Snakes went down 8-7, with a goal in the dying minutes from the Icemen to seal the win.

Saturday morning the Copperheads suited up against the the Wainwright Bisons, last years provincial champions. The tight checking game came to an 2-2 tie after regulation time, resulting in the Copperheads being eliminated from the tournament, failing to put up a good enough point record to advance to the semi finals.

Red Deer of the Heritage league did advance to the provincial final, losing out to Wainwright.

This past Saturday, the Copperheads hosted their 11 Annual Awards Banquet at the Coaldale Community Center. A full house was on hand to congratulate the Copperheads on their successful season.

The Copperheads were blessed to have the late Morgan Simpson family present for the evening affair. The Simpson family presented three post secondary Copperheads each with a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Morgan who tragically passed away suddenly during the Copperheads playoff run. Recipients for this year scholarships were Nolan Berner, Mitchell Konschuk and Logan Middleton.  Present during the evening was a professional frame of Morgan’s black No. 26 jersey which will be retired and hung in the team dressing room.

Hanging from the ceiling was the much deserved HJHL south division banner which will be on display come the fall time in the Snake Pit.