Copperheads rally for teammate to advance in playoffs

Rallying after the loss of a teammate, the Coaldale Copperheads have kept their playoff run going.

The Copperheads edged the High River Flyers 2-1 in the fifth-and-deciding game of the team’s Heritage Junior Hockey League South Division semifinal Saturday night at the Coaldale Sportsplex to rally from a 2-1 series deficit and advance to the South Division final against the Okotoks Bisons.

The Copperheads were playing with heavy hearts after learning teammate Morgan Simpson had passed away Friday after a single vehicle accident earlier in the week.

The Copperheads forced Game 5 with a 3-2 win in overtime in Game 4 Friday night in High River.

On Saturday, the Copperheads got goals from Tyler Anderson in the first period and Ty Abbott in the second as Coaldale outshot the Flyers 4129.

Abbott and Tyler Anderson each added an assist for a two-point night.

Nolan Berner stopped 28 shots for the Copperheads.

Simpson’s parents and twin brother were in attendance for Saturday night’s game.

Simpson’s brother, Ryan, is the starting goaltender for the Airdrie Thunder, who will face the Red Deer Vipers in the North Division final.

In Friday’s overtime win in High River, Jayden Bexte scored both Copperheads goals in regulation time before Chase Williamson provided the overtime heroics at 10:51.

Tyler Anderson added two assists and goaltender Andrew Suriano kicked out 30 of 32 shots.

Game one of the best-of-seven South final against the Bisons is Wednesday night at the Coaldale Sportsplex at 8:15 p.m. with Game 2 going Friday in Okotoks.

Game 3 comes back to Coaldale Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

A celebration of life for Simpson will be announced soon and most likely will be on Saturday.