Copperheads stay in first

Thanks to a 20-goal weekend, the Coaldale Copperheads have padded their lead atop the Heritage Junior Hockey League South Division standings

The Copperheads hit double digits on the road Friday night in a 14-1 win over the Three Hills Thrashers and returned to the Coaldale Sportsplex Saturday to double up the Blackfalds Wranglers 6-3.

The wins — which put Coaldale’s winning streak at eight games — improves the team to 20-3-2, six points up on the 17-3-2 Okotoks Bisons in the South Division.

On Friday in Three Hills, Brandyn Howg had three goals and six points, while Jedd Horvath also had a hat trick and added one assist for a four-point outing.

Jared Bainbridge and Jayden Bexte each had two goals for Coaldale and Jayden Smith, Tyler Anderson — who also had three assists — Brant Mack and Tyler Strath added one each.

Smith and Mack each had an assist. Jason Creighton, Turner Sharp and Ty Abbott had two helpers each.

Copperheads goaltender Broc Merkl made 26 saves in the win.

On Saturday in Coaldale, Smith scored twice and Howg, Tyler Anderson, Horvath and Creighton tallied one each.

Howg, Anderson and Creighton each added an assist and Abbott, Bexte and Tyler Strath had two each.

In goal, Nolan Berner made 28 saves for the victory.

The Copperheads last loss was Nov. 17 in a 4-2 loss to the Red Deer Vipers in Coaldale.

Coaldale is in Okotoks to battle the Bisons Friday night and are back home Saturday at 8:30 p.m. when the Stettler Lightning pay a visit.