CANORA – After earning only one out of a possible four points during the first weekend of the new SEHL season, the Canora Cobras came up with their first win on Nov. 21 at home, whitewashing the visiting Preeceville Pats 11-0. But the next evening in Langenburg, the Canora dropped a tight 4-2 decision in what was a one-goal game until the Warriors scored a late goal after the Cobras pulled their goalie.
In their game against the winless Pats, the Cobras held a shots advantage of 27-4 in the first period, and emerged with a 2-0 lead. They probably could have scored a couple more, but were rewarded for their persistence with nine more goals in the final 40 minutes. Cole Denesowych was not very busy in the Cobras net, but stopped all eight shots he faced to earn the shutout.
The balanced Cobras offense featured seven different goal scorers, including four who buried a pair each. Leading the points parade was Carter Dereniwsky of Canora, who scored once and set up five other goals. Logan Foster of Grayson scored twice and added an assist, as did Scott Mickoski of Regina. Also contributing a pair of markers each were Kody Rock of Canora and Nikolas Gordon of Yorkton. Carson Sass of Melville scored once and set up a pair of others, while Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede chipped in with a goal and an assist. Carson Dennis and William Hauber of Canora, as well as Damian Bentz of Madge Lake each had two assists.
“Preeceville only had 11 players, so it’s hard to judge where we’re at based on that game,” said Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz. “Toward the end of the third period, it was almost like a practice. But we played well on defense and only gave Preeceville eight shots all game, which was good to see.
“It also gave us the chance to spread out our offense and give everyone a good amount of ice time.”
After the big win over Preeceville, things were a lot tighter the next evening in Langenburg against the Warriors, who are undefeated on the young season. The home team opened with two goals in the first five minutes of the first period, and the Cobras quickly had a steep hill to climb. But a goal by Damien Bentz, assisted by Carter Dereniwsky, had the Cobras back within one by the end of the first period.
After a second period goal by Dereniwsky from Carson Sass and Kody Rock, the teams were tied 2-2 heading into the final 20 minutes. A power play goal by the Warriors turned out to be the winner, and they added a fourth goal late after the Cobras pulled their goalie to go after the tying goal.
“We were a little scrambly early in the first period and found ourselves in a 2-0 hole,” said Coach Schwartz. “But we battled back and had lots of chances, including a great play on an individual effort by William Hauber. We outplayed them in the second period and tied the game. We could have taken the lead, but hit the post three times.
“We had an early power play in the third, but hit the post again. We’re snake bit right now, but that’s going to change.”
Schwartz said it was a good, tight game until the third period when the referees “started calling all kinds of penalties after calling very little in the first two periods. We actually killed off a five-on-three before they scored the winner on a five-on-four power play.”
Playing in his first game with the Cobras, Goalie Ross Hawryluk of Regina was “outstanding” according to Schwartz.
The Cobras have already lost as more games than they did through the entire regular season last year, but Schwartz said he’s “not too concerned.
“We’re making progress and getting lots of chances. We have a pretty big turnover with seven new guys. It takes time to get used to each other.
“I believe we’ll soon be moving up in the standings.”
The Cobras will be hosting the Churchbridge Imperials on Friday, Dec. 5 as part of Canora’s Winter Lights Festival, followed by a trip to Rocanville on Saturday, Dec. 6 to take on the Tigers, who will no doubt be looking for revenge after being swept by the Cobras in the league championship series last spring.
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