CANORA – “Welcome to tonight’s home opener between your Canora Cobras and the visiting Swan Valley Axemen.”
With those words, Aaron Nagy, the new Voice of the Cobras, took over from the retiring Pat Miechkota.
The defending SEHL champion Cobras have discovered that winning another championship is not going to come easy. The Cobras started the 2025/26 season at Cote versus the Selects on Nov. 14 and went down to a 10-7 defeat. The next evening was the home opener for Canora, but the visiting Swan Valley Axemen spoiled the party with a come-from-behind 6-5 win, leaving the Cobras with just a single point after two games.
Before the home opener, the popular Pat Miechkota was recognized for years as Voice of the Cobras when he dropped the puck for the ceremonial opening faceoff. Casey Mydonick, Cobras General Manager, played for the Cobras during Miechkota’s time with the team.
“Pat has meant a lot to the team from day one,” said Mydonick.
“I remember chatting with him on the phone prior to his first game. He was a little nervous but did a good job and only got better as time went on. Pat was always energetic and passionate when he announced and it will be missed. On the players side of things we always had a good chuckle when Pat would do his intro at our home games!
“You could always tell that Pat cared and took his role seriously which was what we needed. I would consider Pat a good friend of mine and he has been a silent blessing to this community. The Cobras wish him nothing but the best and are excited to see him sitting in the stands cheering us on!”
Before the game got underway, the Cobras unveiled their SEHL championship banner, along with the Emile Balogh Trophy that goes with it.
In the game at Cote, the Cobras jumped out to a 4-2 lead after the first period. After a goal by Damian Bentz of Madge Lake gave Canora a three-goal lead early in the second, it looked like the visitors might be on their way to an easy victory. But the Selects bounced back in a big way, scoring four of the next five goals to tie the score at 6-6 heading into the third period.
Cote kept up the momentum with a pair of goals in the first minute of the final period and never looked back, wrapping up a three-goal win.
Damian Bentz led the Cobras offense with a hat trick and one assist. New Team Captain Carter Dereniwsky of Canora contributed a pair of goals. Singles came from the sticks of Nikolas Gordon of Yorkton and Logan Foster of Grayson, with Foster also adding an assist.
“Cote has a very good team this year,” said Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz. “They have picked up some really good players.”
“Because our first game of the year was cancelled, we hadn’t played yet. We had the lead early, but as the game went on we ran out of gas and couldn’t weather the storm. Give credit to Cote, we really have to be ready to play them this year.”
Saturday evening the Cobras were back in Canora for the home opener against the always-tough Swan Valley Axemen.
It looked like the pre-game festivities may have fired up the Cobras, as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first two minutes of the opening period, and stretched the advantage to 3-0 by the first intermission.
But the final 40 minutes belonged to the Axemen as they found the net five times to force overtime, including the tying goal with their goalie pulled for an extra attacker and under 30 seconds left in the third period.
The Cobras took a penalty in overtime and on the ensuing four-on-three power play, Carter Cockburn, Swan Valley’s leading scoring, capitalized and potted the game winner.
Carter Dereniwsky, Logan Foster and Damian Bentz continued to drive the Canora offense, scoring all five Cobra goals. Dereniwsky had two goals and an assist, Foster also notched a pair of goals, while Damian Bentz contributed a short-handed marker along with a pair of helpers.
“Swan Valley was shorthanded for the game, but they still brought some very good players,” said Coach Schwartz. “Our guys played better than the night before. We had about 45 good minutes, but that’s not enough in this league. We have some injuries and are missing some guys. We took a couple shifts off and it cost us.”
Schwartz said the Cobras are finding out first-hand that everyone seems to bring their best game when they are playing against the defending champions.
“We have to get used to playing again and be prepared to play the full 60 minutes. After the game I told our guys, ‘We have 14 games left, which was the full regular season last year. Let’s take that and get back to where we want to be.’”
The Cobras have a new captain this year, as 21-year-old Carter Dereniwsky has taken over the responsibility of wearing the ‘C.’ Schwartz said the decision was pretty much made by the whole team, coaches and players.
“I think it suits him well. He’s a local guy, a young and talented player. He’s a good leader, well respected in the dressing room, has a high hockey IQ, and he’ll likely be here for a long time.”
Next action for the Cobras is this Saturday, in Manitoba against those same Swan Valley Axemen. They return home to Canora to battle the Churchbridge Imperials next Friday, Dec. 5, as part of Canora’s Winter Lights Festival.
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