Bexte scores OT winner as Coaldale downs Medicine Hat in Game 7

COALDALE – Jayden Bexte was the overtime hero on Saturday night as the Coaldale Copperheads were 4-3 winners over the Medicine Hat Cubs in the decisive Game 7 of their best-of-seven South Division semifinal series.

Brandyn Howg, Jared Bainbridge and Jayden Smith each found the back of the net in the first period for Coaldale, giving them a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes. Grant Forbes had the lone goal of the frame for the Cubs, which would claw their way back thanks to a Cooper Hilworth goal with just five seconds left in the second period and Chandler Aleman’s third period tally.

Nolan Berner finished with 34 saves on the night in the Coaldale crease, while Brett Vanderveer turned aside 41 shots fired his way for the Cubs.

Coaldale will now face the Cochrane Generals in the South Division Final.