Copperheads earn three points in weekend action

Posted on January 26, 2023 by Sunny South News

By Garrett Simmons
For Sunny South News

The Coaldale Copperheads capped off a three-point weekend with a big 6-2 win on Sunday over Red Deer.

After an even first period, Coaldale scored three times in the second to run away with the road victory, paced by Peyton Twigg’s two goals in the middle frame.

Nathan Verloop opened the scoring in the second and broke a 1-1 tie, as the Copperheads fired 13 shots on the Red Deer goal in the second En route to a 4-1 lead.

Red Deer made it 4-2 with a powerplay marker in the third, before Twigg goal on the man advantage put the game away for Coaldale. Adam Kennedy scored another insurance marker to end the contest.

Griffin McCulloch also scored for the Copperheads, as the team improved to 10-17-5 on the season.

Caden Heins added four helpers in the game for Coaldale, while Twigg finished with four points. Aiden Low made 28 saves in goal for the win,

On Saturday, the Copperheads dropped a 4-3 overtime contest at home to the Strathmore Wheat Kings. Coaldale battled back from a 2-0 deficit thanks to a Drew Constant goal in the second period, set up by Kaden Booth.

Verloop drew Coaldale even with a third-period goal, assisted by Drew Kennedy, before the home side took a 3-2 lead on a Krishan Stocker goal. James Halverson had the helper on the marker.

But Coaldale could not hold the lead, as Joel Romero tied things up for Strathmore, and then won it for the Wheat Kings in overtime with his second goal of the game.

Coaldale fired 37 shots on goal, which included 17 in the third period alone, but couldn’t keep the momentum going in OT, as Strathmore had all four shots in the extra frame.

Nixon Ordway made 29 saves to keep Coaldale in the game, as Strathmore netminder Landen Brassard made 34 saves for the win.

Coaldale still sits in fifth place in the Southern Division with 25 points, just behind Strathmore, with 28 points.

To move up in the standings, the Copperheads will have to beat a pair of tough opponents this weekend, which kicks off with a Friday game on the road against 23-5-3 Medicine Hat. On Saturday, Coaldale will host third-place Cochrane (21-9-3) for an 8 p.m. game at the Coaldale Sportsplex.