Copperheads fall to Bisons in battle for first

The Coaldale Copperheads’ six-game winning streak came to an end Saturday night.

In an ongoing battle for first place in the Heritage Junior Hockey League South Division, the Copperheads were downed 4-1 by the Okotoks Bisons at the Coaldale Sportsplex.

The loss puts Coaldale at 21-10-2 and into second place in the South Division, four points back of the Bisons (23-10-2), who are on a three-game winning streak and one point ahead of the Cochrane Generals (21-111), who have won six straight.

On Saturday, Levi Anderson scored shorthanded for the Copperheads for a 1-0 lead 12:25 into the second period, but the Bisons tied the game before the second intermission and added three more in the third to post the road win.

Copperheads goaltender Nolan Berner made 36 saves in the loss.

The Copperheads have three games left in the regular season — all this weekend — to try and overtake the Bisons for first.

They head to High River Friday to take on the Flyers and return to the Coaldale Sportsplex Saturday for their final home game of the regular season when they host the Strathmore Wheatland Kings at 8:30 p.m.

The Copperheads wrap up the regular season Sunday in Strathmore at 2 p.m.

Saturday’s game will be the team’s annual fan appreciation night with free giveaways.

It will be the last remaining home game which season tickets will be valid.

During the playoffs, admission will be cash at the booth. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for youth.