By Scott Roblin

Late penalty costs Cubs in Coaldale Saturday

Nov 12, 2017 | 11:24 AM

COALDALE, AB – Jubilation and heartbreak for the Medicine Hat Travelodge Cubs on Saturday night, losing by a 6-4 count against the Coaldale Copperheads.

This was the third meeting of the season between the two South Division rivals, with the Cubs still looking for their first win of the year against Coaldale.

With just over eight minutes left in the opening period, the Copperheads opened up the scoring with a marker from Troy Feldbusch that beat Medicine Hat’s Josh Breznik.

Medicine Hat went to the power play shortly after that goal with a slashing call against Calvin Swanson, but it was Coaldale’s Riese Nevil finding the back of the net short-handed to put the Copperheads up by a pair.

Some rough stuff before the end of the period however, as Josef Holubowich and Jedd Horvath dropped the mitts and were each given game-misconduct penalties.

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It remained a 2-0 Coaldale lead until the 1:12 mark of the second period, when Brandyn Howg potted his fourth goal of the HJHL season for the Copperheads.

The Cubs finally got settled just over a minute later, as a Joshua Schafer shot was deflected by Noah Irvine for Medicine Hat’s first goal of the game to cut the Coaldale lead to 3-1.

Coaldale got that goal back 5:45 into the second, when Sam Paskuski fresh out of the penalty box scored to make it a 4-1 contest.

Irvine continued his torrid pace to start the season near the end of the period, scoring on the power play from Matt Clement for his second of the game to close the deficit to 4-2 heading to the third.

With less than eight minutes to go in regulation, Irvine completed the hat-trick for his team-leading tenth goal of the season to get the Cubs within one.

Medicine Hat went back to the power play shortly after and were able to get the equalizer off the tape of Riley Florkowski, scoring with 6:07 left to tie the game at 4-4.

The turning point came with less than three minutes remaining, when Medicine Hat’s Tavin Straub was ejected for a check from behind, putting Coaldale on the power play for the remainder of the game.

Coaldale capitalized with goals from Tyler Anderson and Clayton Nevil in the game’s final few minutes, to seal a 6-4 win for the Copperheads.

Irvine finished with a game-high four points for the Cubs, while Breznik picked up the loss between the pipes with six goals allowed on 38 shots against.

Falling to a record of 6-8 with the loss, Medicine Hat now sits alone in last place in the South Division with 12 points.

The Cubs will try to get back on track next Saturday, when they continue their road-heavy November schedule against the Stettler Lightning.