CANORA -In spite of outside temperatures hovering in the bone-chilling neighbourhood of -35℃, players and fans alike enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in Canora Minor Hockey Day on Jan. 24 at the Canora Civic Centre.
Stacy Vangen, Canora Minor Hockey Association President, said there are approximately 100 players ranging in age from four to 18 years old playing this year.
Considering the weather, Vangen said Minor Hockey Day went very well.
“The cold meant for a little smaller crowds than we have seen in the past but overall everything was very well attended. We are thankful for everyone who came out to watch local minor hockey.”
Minor Hockey Day plays an important role in the lives of both the players and the surrounding community.
“It celebrates our players and teams, and gives us the chance to showcase them to the community,” said Vangen. “It also serves as an attraction bringing people to Canora for the day.”
U7
The youngest age group usually attracts many fans, and the U7 game between the Canora Cobras and the Norquay Northstars was no different. Scores were not kept for this game, as the players are encouraged to focus on fun and learning the game. Coaches for the U7 Cobras are: Dayne Babchishin, Zach Toffan, Clayton Malanowich and Vern Severight.
U9
The U9 Cobras hosted the Melville Millionaires, with the visitors coming out on top 22-4. The game was initially much closer, as the Cobras cut the deficit to 6-4 at one point, but Melville took over from there. Goal scorers for the Cobras were not available.
Cobras coach Parker Rice said Melville proved to be a tough opponent.
“It was a good reality check for our kids to realize they can’t take any games for granted and need to show up ready to work as hard as they can for all games.”
Rice said it’s a highlight for these young players to hit the ice for Minor Hockey Day.
“The kids really enjoy it because there are a lot of fans that come out to watch and they also get to watch other Canora teams play, which is exciting.
“Our season has gone well so far. Kids have advanced a lot with their skating and positioning.
"Skating is something we will continue to work on at all age groups. Positioning is also a big one for U9 kids as next year some of them will be moving up to U11 and they need to know where to go and what to do.”
Joining Rice on the U9 Cobras coaching staff are Zach Toffan and Curtis Baillie.
U11
The Norquay Northstars provided the opposition for the U11 Canora Cobras during Minor Hockey Day for one of the most exciting games of the day, which ended in a 5-4 win for Norquay.
The Northstars opened the scoring on what appeared to be an unfortunate bounce for Canora, but the Cobras bounced back on goals by Lowell Rice and Anikin Nordin to take a 2-1 lead after the first period. The teams battled back and forth for the rest of the game, with no lead of more than one goal for either team. The Northstars broke a 4-4 tie and scored the game winner with just over five minutes left in the third period.
The other two Cobras goals were scored by Declan Tillotson and Lowell Rice, with his second of the game.
Cobras Coach Dustin Kortmeyer said, in spite of the loss, he was proud of his team’s effort.
“Norquay has been a tough team for us this season but it was a tight game and we thought the kids played awesome. They were excited to play in front of such a big crowd.”
The U11 Cobras have been enjoying a strong season to this point.
“The team has come on by leaps and bounds since day one, it’s been amazing watching them advance in skills. We’ve been working lots on positions and conditioning. It’s a big step for the kids to come from U9 up to U11.”
Kortmeyer expressed his appreciation for all those involved in Minor Hockey day.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming out to watch us play, was great to see such a big turnout. A lot of work goes into big days like that and I would also like to thank all the volunteers, without them it wouldn’t be possible.”
Other U11 Cobras coaches are Parker Rice and Vern Severight.
U13
The U13 Langenburg Warriors arrived in Canora for Minor Hockey Day and defeated the Preeceville Pats 14-3. Canora does not have a U13 team this season, but several U13 Canora players are part of the Pats team: Braden Skibinsky, Coy Kraynick and Odin Fullawka.
The Warriors jumped out to a 4-0 lead halfway through the second period, but Tayden Last of Kelvington got the Pats on the scoreboard with his first of three goals for the game. After that the Warriors gradually pulled away, shutting out the Pats in the third period.
Brendon Skibinsky, one of the Pats coaches, said, “It was a good game, the kids played hard. It was nice to see so many people come out to watch on a cold day.
“Our season is going well, kids are coming along well, growing and becoming better players. For the rest of the season we hope to get a few more wins, keep on learning and working hard.”
Along with Skibinsky, the other Pats coaches are: Conrad Peterson, James Johnson, Ryan Mottram and Shae Peterson.
U15 Preds
The U15 Highway 9 Predators hosted the Langenburg Warriors on Minor Hockey Day, and came out on the short end of a 13-2 final score. The Preds, with a roster featuring players from Canora, Norquay, Preeceville, Cote First Nation, Sturgis, Pelly and Springside, were held scoreless for two periods. But the deficit was narrowed on third period goals by Ben Halkyard of Preeceville and Chance Weinbender of Canora.
The coaches for the Predators area: Graham Lamb, Adam Vangen, Jared Lukey and Jesse Nokinsky.
U18
The final game of Minor Hockey Day was also the best for just about every Canora fan, as the U18 Cobras came back from a two-goal third period deficit to edge the Melville Millionaires 4-3. The Cobras, with players from Canora, Buchanan, Sturgis and Norquay, fell behind 3-1 early in the third period, but bounced back with three straight goals to claim the victory.
Bracyn Konkel of Sturgis was in on all four Cobras goals, with a hat trick and one assist. The game winner was scored by Declan Lowe of Canora. Also helping out in the playmaking department with one assist each were: Reein Godhe and Linden Roebuck of Buchanan, Devon Paley and Cooper Kraynick of Canora, and Bostin Smith of Sturgis.
Players from each team were doing whatever they could to gain an advantage, as was evidenced by the steady traffic from both clubs heading to the penalty box, especially in the third period.
“The game against Melville was hard fought from beginning to end,” said Cobras Coach Adam Vangen. “We played hard as a team and didn’t quit. We won puck battles and kept the pressure high.”
Even though most of these players have played during Minor Hockey Day before, Vangen said they still enjoy it.
“They love a home game with a good crowd, and minor hockey day brings good energy to the game.”
Vangen said he has been impressed with his team’s competitiveness so far this season.
“We want to keep working together as a team and hope to see more success.”
Joining Vangen on the U18 Cobras coaching staff are: Jeff Sznerch, Jared Lukey and Hunter Lamb.
Future
President Stacy Vangen says the focus going forward for the Canora Minor Hockey Association is: “Continuing to keep teams at all age levels in our community while building the numbers of both the female and male players being attracted and retained to the sport.”
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