Copperbacks remain in thick of race

As the Heritage Junior Hockey League Southern Division race gets tighter down the stretch, the Coaldale Copperheads landed four more crucial points last weekend.

The Copperheads beat the Three Hills Thrashers 8-2 Saturday night in Three Hills and travelled to Strathmore Sunday and earned a key 2-1 win over the Wheatland Kings.

The wins improve the Copperheads to 19-92 and moves the team into second place in the Southern Division, two points back of the firstplace Okotoks Bisons (20-9-2) and three points up on the Cochrane Generals (18-11-1) and the High River Flyers (17-12-3).

On Saturday in Three Hills, Coaldale’s Jedd Horvath posted his first career HJHL hat trick and Tyler Anderson and Chase Williamson added two each.

Brandon Langridge added the other Copperheads goal, while goaltender Andrew Suriano stopped 18 shots. Langridge also added an assist for a two-point night.

Williamson and Tyler Anderson added an assist for three points and Logan Middleton had three assists.

Ty Abbott and Ryan Tessemaker added two helpers each for Coaldale.

Tyler Anderson and Levi Anderson were the Copperheads goal scorers in Sunday’s win in Strathmore. Abbott had two assists, and Nolan Berner made 32 saves.

The Copperheads are on the road Friday in Okotoks to take on the Bisons in a one-versus two south showdown. Heading into the game, the Copperheads have one game in hand over the Bisons.

On Saturday, the Copperheads are home at the Coaldale Sportsplex as they host the Medicine Hat Cubs at 8:30 p.m. to wrap up their January schedule.