Copperheads second place in the south

Coaldale Copperheads

Coaldale Copperheads, with a current league record of 17-8-1, sits in second place in the south with only one more game until Christmas break.
This coming Saturday, the team will match up against the Banff Bears on home ice at 8:30 p.m. closing 2016.
This past weekend another back-to-back weekends of three games. It was tough on the roster, as a whole. Finishing both weekends off two for three.
Friday night the team travelled to a close standing opponent’s rink, the Okotoks Bisons (18-8-0) — where the Snakes fell 7-4.
After the first period, with goals from Calvin Swanson and Jayden Smith, the team was leading 2-1. It was a tough second period with many frustrating penalties that ended up costing the team to fall behind 7-4.
Goaltender Dillan Kelly faced 42 shots to that point but was replaced by Dylan Swanson for the third. It was a pointless third period with too much of a gap for the Snakes to catch up.
Saturday night at home the team beat the High River Flyers 6-1. Swanson made another appearance in net for the 60 minutes stopping 21 shots.
Goal scorers were Calvin Swanson with two; singles from Austin Huculak, Clay Spencer, and Matt Krusky. As well, new to the Copperheads roster for the evening was affiliate player Justin Astalos from Taber, who earned his first HJHL goal.
Sunday another long road trip to Banff with a skeleton roster due to injuries and suspensions. The team finished solid. Final score beating Banff was 8-1 with Dillan Kelly credited with 60 minutes between the pipes.
Levi Anderson with his first HJHL hat trick, and singles from Matt Karl, Sam Paskuski, Brendan Benson, Tyler Anderson and Matt Krusky sealed up the weekend.
A reminder — Saturday is the last home game left in December.
It’s a perfect opportunity to use up some game tickets or purchase some Copperheads merchandise just in time for Christmas.