CANORA – Powered by a roster filled with players from Canora, Buchanan, Ebenezer and Amsterdam, the Canora U11 Cobras hosted a four-team tournament on Nov. 22. In addition to the Cobras, the tournament featured teams from Melville, Langenburg and Norquay. The Cobras made it to the A final, and finished as the runner up.
The opening 8:30 a.m. game of the tournament pitted the Cobras against Langenburg, the eventual champions. Langenburg played well and defeated the Cobras 10-3. Anikin Nordin opened the scoring for the Cobras in the second period, and then scored again in the third, both unassisted. Also beating the Melville goalie in the final period was Ava Sliva, assisted by Nordin.
The second game featured the other two teams in the tournament, with Melville coming out on top over Norquay.
The two losing teams, Norquay and Canora, met with a chance to qualify for the A final, in a game that was tight for the first two periods until the Cobras pulled away for a 6-2 victory. A pair of first-period goals by Anikin Nordin, the first set up by Owen Kozmanuik and the other unassisted, gave the Cobras an early 2-0 lead. But Cash Severson got Norquay on the scoreboard shortly thereafter, assisted by Trenton Whitehawk, and the Northstars trailed by only one after 20 minutes.
The second period was scoreless but there was lots of skating and plenty of chances with the goalies taking their turns making big saves.
In the final 20 minutes, a pair of quick goals by Lowell Rice, assisted by Declan Tillotson, and then Tillotson, from Owen Kozmanuik and Atlin Godhe, turned out to be the difference in the game. Cash Severson with his second of the game, assisted by Brady Hollinaty and Michael Salisbury, cut the lead to two, but that would be as close as Norquay would get. Anikin Nordin of the Cobras completed his hat trick unassisted, and then Tyler Menton closed out the scoring on assists from Nordin and Own Kozmanuik.
That result sent the Cobras off to the A final, and Norquay to the B final against Melville, after their loss to Langenburg. Melville was the winner of the B final.
In the A final, the Cobras met up with Langenburg once again, and the Warriors proved they were deserving champions with a 15-3 win. Anikin Nordin and Jaxson Severight each scored a goal and added an assist for Canora, with the third goal coming from the stick of Declan Tillotson. Also chipping in with assists were Owen Kozmanuik and Lowell Rice.
Cobras Head Coach Dustin Kortmeyer said, even though the Cobras had only played two league games so far in league play, he thought the tournament went well.
“We unfortunately lost in the A final but we put up a good fight,” said Kortmeyer. “Langenburg played better and deserved the win.”
Kortmeyer said he was pleased with his team’s play in the win over Norquay.
“We played our positions and the skaters were right where they needed to be to get the shots in the back of the net. We played as a team and that is a big thing they are starting to do together.”
At this young age, Kortmeyer said it was a special thrill for the Cobras to be on the ice for a tournament in Canora.
“The kids were beyond excited to play in our barn with the home crowd watching. It was nice to see them there for the first game bright and early dressed up with smiling faces.”
Kortmeyer said he has been pleased with his team’s effort during the early part of the season.
“We are at one win and one loss so no matter what, you’ve got to be happy with that. The kids show up to play hockey and that’s what I like to see!”
There are a quite a few Cobras players who have made the transition from U9 to U11 this season, which Kortmeyer said is a significant milestone in a young hockey career.
“Moving up is a big giant leap for most of our team, as they are going from half to a full sheet of ice. We’re working on getting our positioning right and learning a lot of the different rules such as offsides. Every kid has come a long ways in the short amount of time we’ve been on the ice but we also have a long season ahead of us, so we’re going to get it figured out.”
After receiving valuable coaching from his own father as a youngster, Kortmeyer said he appreciates the opportunity to do the same for this U11 group.
“I enjoy teaching the kids the things I know. My dad coached me right through minor hockey and I just think it’s great that I can pass on the things that I learned from him. I couldn’t name anything that I don’t like about being there with the kids at every practice and game. At the U11 age they are there to do everything they can to learn the sport. They soak it up like a sponge, they show up ready to impress.
“The team I have now is fantastic, win or lose. I can see they are having fun and to the team, my assistant coaches and myself that’s what matters most. Wins are nice, yes, but you can’t win them all.”
Kortmeyer said the fan support at the Canora tournament was much appreciated.
“Shout out to everyone cheering us on in the stands and in the lobby. It took more than the team to make it happen so thanks to everyone who helped out to do just that and I also want to thank Langenburg, Melville and Norquay for coming out to make the tournament possible.”
The players that make up this season’s Canora U11 Cobras are: Lev Blauva, Aliannah Herriges, Anikin Nordin, Atlin Godhe, Ava Sliva, Declan Tillotson, Jaxson Severight, Jolene Wegner, Lillyanna Tomcala, Tyler Menton, Lowell Rice and Owen Kozmanuik.
Head Coach Dustin Meyer is joined by assistant coaches Parker Rice and Vern Severight. The team manager is Amy Nordin.
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