CANORA - Pitted against one of the top-ranked senior teams in the province, the Canora Cobras gave it their best effort against the Foam Lake Flyers, but lost their second-round provincial series in two straight games by scores of 4-2 (a one-goal game until a late empty net goal) and 6-5 in overtime. The following weekend, the Cobras travelled to Wapella and eliminated the Black Hawks with a 7-2 win in Game 2 of their league first round playoff series
Game one hit the ice in Foam Lake on Valentine’s Day, but there was definitely not a lot of love in the air between these two teams.
Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz said they were missing a number of players, but “our guys battled hard.”
“It was a very good, close game. We haven’t faced a skilled team like that with that kind of speed, and their goalie is really good.
“We should have been ahead at some point. We had our chances, but couldn’t put puck in the net.”
The game was tied 1-1 after the first period, and Foam Lake took a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. The only goal of the third period came late after the Cobras pulled their goalie in an effort to tie the game and force overtime.
Goal scorers for the Cobras were Ryley Stefanyshyn and Carter Dereniwsky, both from Canora. Providing the assist were Tomas Hauber of Canora, Austin Severson of Norquay and Scott Mickoski of Regina.
Game 2 in Canora on Feb. 17 had the Cobras facing elimination. The Flyers got off to a quick start by scoring less than two minutes after the opening faceoff, but that was the only goal of the first period.
In the second and third periods, the scoring pace picked up considerably. Foam Lake built leads of 2-0, 3-1, and 4-2, but the Cobras kept bouncing back to tie the game.
“We had chances, we gave them chances,” said Schwartz. “Derrick Schwartz got thrown out and they scored on the resulting five-minute power play, but we bounced right back and scored.
“We never quit, I like that about our team. To make it to our league finals, we will have to keep fighting back.”
A late third period goal by Kody Rock of Canora tied the score at 5-5 and sent the game into overtime, where Foam Lake scored to win the game and the series.
“Overtime can go either way, we out-chanced them, got a power play, but they ended it with a shorthanded goal,” said Schwartz. “We played very well. We had a goal disallowed in overtime that was in the net, but those kinds of things happen.”
In addition to Rock, other Cobras goal scorers were Carter Dereniwsky and Tomas Hauber of Canora, Logan Foster of Kamsack and Scott Mickoski of Regina. Mickoski led Cobras playmakers with three assists, while Foster chipped in with a pair.
Colby Entz of Churchbridge played both games in goal for the Cobras.
Schwartz said the team appreciated the strong fan support for Game 2.
“It was an excellent crowd, can’t beat that, especially in that minus 40-degree weather.”
Schwartz believes that the experience against Foam Lake can be a big plus as the Cobras now shift their focus back to SEHL playoffs.
“There were some sad faces in our dressing room after the last Foam Lake game, but now we absolutely know what it takes to battle and win against a really good team.”
Game 2 in the SEHL playoff opening round series took place in Wapella on Feb. 22. After a decisive victory in Game 1 in Canora, the Cobras were eager to wrap up the series.
Canora built a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes, and then pulled away in the third period for a 7-2 final score to win the series 2-0.
“We played as well as we had to,” said Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz. “We did not have a great first period, but we played well enough to win. Brad Sentes (of Regina) played well in goal.”
“Casey Mydonick got in a fight in the third period, but it was mutual between he and the Wapella player, so that was OK.”
Logan Foster of Kamsack and Austin Severson of Norquay led the Cobras offense on this night with a pair of goals each, Severson added an assist. Single goals came from Carter Dereniwsky and Kody Rock of Canora, and Tanner Mak of Yorkton. Dereniwsky also chipped in with an assist. Scott Mickoski of Regina was the top playmaker with three assists.
The Cobras now move on to face their longtime rivals, the Theodore Buffalos, in the best-of-five North Division final, to see who moves on to the league championship series. The Cobras are hoping to have Skylar Wallin of Margo and Cole Rathgeber of Yorkton back from their injuries at some point during the playoffs.
“There’s definitely room for improvement from the way we played in the Wapella series,” said Schwartz. “The guys know they have to turn it up to get where we want to go in the next two series. I hope the fans come out to support us, it was great to have a packed house for the game against Foam Lake.”
Game 1 against Theodore goes this Saturday, March 1, in Canora.
Don't count on social media to deliver your local news to you. Keep your news a touch away by bookmarking Canora Courier's homepage at this link.
Bookmark SASKTODAY.ca, Saskatchewan's home page, at this link.
