CANORA – The Canora Cobras capitalized on home ice advantage and noisy Civic Centre crowds to win a pair of big playoff games. A decisive 10-3 win over the Esterhazy Flyers in Game 1 of the SEHL best-of-five semi-final on Feb. 20 was followed by a feisty 5-2 victory over the LeRoy Braves in the third and deciding game of their Provincial B best-of-three series on Feb. 21. The Cobras now move on to the North final. The best-of-five Esterhazy series was tied 1-1 after a 6-3 Esterhazy win at home on Feb. 26.
Esterhazy Game 1
Against Esterhazy, the Cobras built period leads of 4-1 and 8-2 before skating away with the victory. In the first period, when the game was still close, the Cobras successfully killed off o five-on-three disadvantage for over a minute, and during the second penalty, Carter Dereniwsky of Canora scored a shorthanded goal.
“That penalty kill turned the momentum quick for us,” said Cobras Coach Derek Schwartz. “Getting that short handed goal was a definite bonus.”
Scott Mickoski of Regina led the Cobras offence with four goals and two assists. Logan Foster of Grayson continued his blistering hot scoring pace with two goals and three assists, giving him seven goals and 12 points in the last two games. Carter Dereniwsky added two goals and an assist. Other goal scorers were Austin Severson of Norquay and Nikolas Gordon of Yorkton.
Tanner Mak of Yorkton chipped in with a couple of assists.
Coach Schwartz was pleased with the Cobras strong defensive play, including the third period when they had a big lead.
“We played good defence, kept dumping the puck into their end.”
Esterhazy Game 2
Game 2 in Esterhazy took place on Feb. 26, and according to Schwartz, it was a frustrating evening for the Cobras, ending in a 6-3 Flyers win. Canora took an early 1-0 lead, but it probably should have been more.
“We played a decent game, considering that we only had 13 skaters, and then one got hurt. But we missed a number of breakaway passes, especially in the first period, and that came back to haunt us.”
Schwartz said the Flyers had their complete roster of players for the game, and were full marks for the win.
“They played better than they did in Game 1. We were missing Damian Benz and Logan Foster who are important players for us, but whether you have 12 players or 20, you’ve got to be ready to play. Ross Hawryluk had a difficult game in goal for us, but that happens.”
Carter Dereniwsky of Canora led the Cobras offence with a pair of goals. The third came from Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede. Scott Mickoski of Regina set up a pair of goals while Carson Sass of Melville contributed the only other assist.
“We’ve got to be ready to play the rest of the series,” said Schwartz. “We’ve got to out hit and out work them, that’s how we’re going to be successful.”
Game 3 was scheduled for Canora on March 1, with Game 4 in Esterhazy on March 4. If necessary, the fifth and deciding game will be back in Canora on March 5.
LeRoy Game 3
The LeRoy Braves were back in Canora on Feb. 22 for Game 3 of their Provincial B series, which meant it was win or go home.
“We came out very well at the start,” said Coach Schwartz. “Their backup goalie, who was playing because the number one guy was suspended, made some great saves for them.”
The Braves were first to hit the scoreboard in the opening period, which was followed by a scrap involving Tanner Mak of Yorkton for the Cobras.
“We hit them, they hit us, they were one of the only teams we’ve played that came after us when we came after them,” said Coach Schwartz. “Tanner was challenged, and it was good for us that he stood up for his teammates.”
The Cobras tied the game shortly thereafter, and then scored three times in the decisive second period. Schwartz said a big part of the win was the hitting by guys like Kody Rock, Carson and Carter Dereniwsky of Canora, Austin Severson of Norquay, and others.
“Everyone stepped up in the hitting department. I’ve stressed all the time that we have talent and can score, and we have big guys that can hit. We’re playing the way I like.”
In a series where it was obvious that these two teams do not like each other, it seemed fitting that Damian Bentz of Madge Lake scored twice, set up another goal, and had a spirited fight late in the third period to complete the Gordie Howe hat trick.
“Damian is a feisty player and the fights can happen,” said Schwartz. “Unfortunately he’ll be suspended so we’ll miss him while he’s gone, he’s a talented player. But I’m sure the other guys will step up.”
Carter Dereniwsky of Canora also scored twice for the Cobras, with the other goal coming from Logan Foster of Grayson. Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede was the top playmaker with two assists.
The Cobras were scheduled to open the Provincial B semi-final series at home against the Wilkie Outlaws on Feb. 28. The rest of the series will go in Wilkie with Game 2 on March 7, and Game 3, if necessary, on March 8.
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