CANORA – After falling behind 2-1 in their SEHL semi-final series against the Esterhazy Flyers, the Canora Cobras came all the way back with decisive 8-2 and 10-2 wins in Games 4 and 5 to win the best-of-five series and move on to the league final. Prior to that, the Cobras got off to a good start in their Provincial B north final by defeating the Wilkie Outlaws 5-2.
Wilkie Game 1
The Cobras opened the best-of-three north final for the Provincial B championship at home with a 5-2 victory in Game 1 against the visiting Wilkie Outlaws on Feb. 28.
“That was probably our most complete game of all year so far,” said Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz. “They’re experienced and you can’t let up against them, but we were ready to play.”
After struggling a bit in the previous game, Cobras goalie Ross Hawryluk of Regina bounced back with a typically strong effort. “He played well for us, that’s why he’s a top end goalie.”
Vaughn Wilgosh of Canora, well known for his work as a defenceman, shifted to playing forward in this game, and impressed his coach.
“Vaughn did well up front,” said Schwartz. “He has the speed to get in on the fore-check and make plays for us.”
Logan Foster of Grayson led the Cobras offence with a pair of goals and two assists. Kody Rock, Vaughn Wilgosh and Carter Dereniwsky, all of Canora, rounded out the scoring with a goal each. Dereniwsky added a pair of assists.
“It was an entertaining game and a great win for us, the crowd was really into it which always helps us,” said Schwartz.
Esterhazy Game 3
The Cobras hit the ice on March 1 against the visiting Esterhazy Flyers with an opportunity to take the lead in their back-and-forth best-of-five SEHL semi-final series on March 1 in Canora. But the Flyers were the better team on this night, skating to a hard fought 3-1 victory.
“We played well, just didn’t get any bounces,” said Coach Schwartz. “We were just missing on passes, shots. But Esterhazy played well enough to win. We’ve played an awful lot of hockey the last two or three weeks. We have a couple of days off before the next game, that should make a difference.”
After a scoreless the first period, the Cobras opened the scoring on a goal by Logan Foster of Grayson, assisted by Kody Rock and William Hauber, both of Canora. But that would be then end of the offence for the Cobras on this night.
“We have to really bear down now, or our league season will be over,” said Schwartz.
Esterhazy Game 4
The Flyers had the opportunity to eliminate the Cobras with a win on home ice in Game 4 on March 4 but Canora left no doubt which was the better team on this night, riding a hat trick from Damian Bentz of Madge Lake to an 8-2 win.
“We just came out with a purpose,” said Coach Schwartz. “We knew we shouldn’t have lost Game 3. The Flyers were ready to play, but we were more determined.
“Our experience in the playoffs the last couple of years gave us the advantage. We know what it takes to win and part of that is playing good defence, which is what we did. Having a couple of days rest also made a big difference for us.”
In a tight first period, the Cobras took a 1-0 lead. But the visitors broke it open with three unanswered goals in the second. The Flyers managed a couple in the third, but Canora added four more to ice the victory.
The other Cobras goal scorers were Logan Foster of Grayson, Kody Rock of Canora, Sean Kolodziejski of Hyas, Carson Sass of Melville and Scott Mickoski of Regina. Foster, Rock and Carter Dereniwsky of Canora led the way in the playmaking department with a pair of assists each.
The win by the Cobras forced Game 5 back in Canora on March 5 to decide the series.
Esterhazy Game 5
It was win or go home for both the Cobras and the Flyers in Game 5 at Canora on March 6.
“Before the game I told them they played really well in Game 4,” said Coach Schwartz. “But that was only half the battle. If we don’t play well in Game 5, Game 4 doesn’t mean anything”
This one was essentially over after the first period, as the Cobras scored five unanswered goals in the first 20 minutes and cruised to a 10-2 win and a spot in the SEHL championship series.
William Hauber of Canora sparked the Cobras offence with a pair of first period goals, Logan Foster of Grayson also scored twice, giving him 13 for the playoffs, and added two assists. After a hat trick in Game 4, Damian Bentz of Madge continued his hot hand with a goal and four assists. Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede was right behind with a goal and three assists. Other goal scorers for the deep Cobras offence were Kody Rock of Canora, Sean Kolodziejski of Hyas, Skylar Wallin of Margo and Nikolas Gordon of Yorkton.
“We played really well, we just wanted more than they did,” said Schwartz.
The win sends the Cobras into the SEHL championship series against Langenburg. The Warriors finished one point ahead of Canora in the regular season standings, so they will have home ice advantage. Dates for the series were still to be determined at press time.
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