CANORA – “We weren’t ready, the results showed it.”
That’s how Canora Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz described Game 1 of the best-of-five SEHL final series in Canora on March 13, with the visiting Langenburg Warriors earning a 5-1 win and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five championship series.
But the Cobras turned the tables in Game 2, bouncing the Warriors 7-2 the next evening in Langenburg to square the series at 1-1.
Game 1
In Game 1, the Warriors grabbed a 2-0 lead before the game was 10 minutes old, and the Cobras never completely recovered.
“It was probably our worst game in two years,” said Coach Schwartz. “Nothing was going right. We had seven shots early and then it wasn’t there, pretty much nothing until the second period.”
The only Cobras goal came off the stick of Sean Kolodziejski of Hyas in the second period, with assists from Carter Dereniwsky of Canora and Troy Zulyniak of Yorkton.
Schwartz said Langenburg was fully deserving of the win.
“Give credit to them. There were no surprises, they played their game. They’re a good team, and that’s what happens when you’re not ready to play in the league final. We played like it was an early season game.”
Game 2
Schwartz said the Cobras had a better start to Game 2, but the early results didn’t show it.
“They scored on their first shift, and led 2-0 less that three minutes into the first period.”
Schwartz believes a fight involving Carson Dereniwsky toward the latter part of the opening period played a part in turning the tide.
“Carson stood up to Langenburg, it really helped us all.”
But the Cobras were still down by two heading into the first intermission.
“We did some soul searching in the dressing room,” said Schwartz. “We came out and played the way we can, and dominated the rest of the game.”
The Cobras scored three times in the second, and four more in the third to wrap up the 7-2 win. That included a pair of big power play goals, while holding the Warriors scoreless on 11 power play opportunities.
Scott Mickoski of Regina led the Cobras offence with four goals.
“He’s a big body, he can take the game over and he did that in Game 2,” said Schwartz.
Carson Sass of Melville chipped in with a goal and two assists, while Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede added a goal and an assist. The other goal scorer was William Hauber of Canora.
Also making big contributions were Carter Dereniwsky of Canora with three assists, and Damian Bentz of Madge Lake with a pair of helpers.
With the series only two games old, there has been plenty of rough stuff, and Coach Schwartz doesn’t see that changing any time soon.
“You have two big, physical teams in this series so it’s going to be rough right to the end.
“We’ve got to be focused from here on, we’ve got to have the same mindset as Game 2, knowing that Langenburg is going to bounce back.”
Game 3 was scheduled for Langenburg on March 20, with Game 4 back in Canora on March 21. If a fifth and deciding game is needed, it will take place in Langenburg on March 27.
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