CANORA – In a way, it was unfortunate that one team had to lose, because both the Canora Cobras and the Cote Selects showed at various times during their quarterfinal SEHL playoff series that each team is capable of doing special things on the ice. In the end, Cote won Game 1 at home, 6-3, but the Cobras bounced back with 9-3 and 12-3 wins in Canora to take the best-of-three series, two games to one.
Game 2
After having won Game 1 at home, the Selects came into Canora on Feb. 14 for Game 2 looking like they had every intention of ending the series. Cote outshot the Cobras by a wide margin early on, but could not beat Cobras Goalie Ross Hawryluk of Regina, who even contributed an assist to the Cobras offence later in the game.
The Cobras came on as the first period continued and took a 3-0 lead into the intermission.
“Cote came out well, like they did in Cote,” said Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz. “But unlike in Cote, we matched their intensity and eventually took over the game.”
The Cobras outscored Cote 6-3 in the final two periods to skate away with the 9-3 win. Canora’s nine goals were scored by nine different players: Carter Dereniwsky and Kody Rock of Canora, Scott Mickoski of Regina, Logan Foster of Grayson, Carson Sass of Melville, Austin Severson of Norquay, Skyler Wallin of Margo, Damian Bentz of Madge Lake and Jason Kotchon of Winnipeg. Bentz and Mickoski were the top playmakers with three assists each.
Tony Apetagon scored twice for the Selects, while Eli Halcrow added the third goal.
Coach Schwartz was pleased with the win to even the series at 1-1, but quick to point out that there was much more work to be done.
In the Shoot to Win contest during the second intermission, Chris Shankowsky was close but did not win the $1,000 prize.
Game 3
It all came down to Game 3 in Canora on Feb. 18 to see which team would move on to the SEHL semi-final series. In spite of stormy, snowy weather outside, the Canora Civic Centre was filled with 336 fans from both Canora and Cote, eager to cheer their favourite team on to victory.
“The crowd was really good for both teams,” said Coach Schwartz. “Even in the bad weather, Cote brought out their contingent and our fans came out to support us as well.”
As in Game 2, both teams went back and forth with plenty of energy early on, battling to a 1-1 tie halfway through the opening period.
“The game went like I though it would, both teams started strong,” said Coach Schwartz. “We got that all-important first goal, but they came right back to tie it.”
The Cobras broke through and took a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes but in the second period, the home team ran into penalty trouble, unleashing the lethal Cote power play.
“We were playing pretty well until we took a couple of penalties,” said Schwartz. “They’re one of the most talented teams in the league and it’s really hard to contain them on the power play.”
After giving up a pair Cote power play goals, the Cobras were able to get back to playing their game.
“Playing five-on-five we were able to contain their speed, bumped them a bit, and capitalized on our chances,” said Schwartz.
The Cobras scored four goals in each period, resulting in the 12-3 final score. Leading the way was Logan Foster of Grayson, with a rare five-goal game, along with a pair of assists.
“He’s a well-rounded, gifted offensive player who can skate and shoot,” said Schwartz. “This was a special night for him.”
Austin Severson of Norquay sniped a pair of goals for the winners. Damian Bentz of Madge Lake led the playmakers with four assists, and also scored a goal. Other goal scorers were William Hauber and Kody Rock of Canora, Troy Zulyniak of Yorkton, and Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede. Schwartz, Carter Dereniwsky of Canora, Sean Kolodziejski of Hyas, and Tanner Mak of Yorkton each chipped in with a pair of assists.
Tony Apetagon and Dakota Macintosh each had a goal and an assist for Cote. The other goal scorer was Kurtis Luke. The top playmaker for the Selects was Hayden Lacquette with two assists.
The Shoot to Win contestant in the second intermission was Fred Cote, who came within inches of winning the $1,000 prize.
Coach Schwartz said Cote showed the quality of their team by pushing the series to the limit.
“They beat us easily in Game 1 and earned it. In our little building we were able to contain them a bit, just shows how important it is to have home ice advantage in the playoffs.”
Semi-final set
With a test against the Esterhazy Flyers coming up in the next series, Schwartz said he likes how the Cobras have been playing late in the Cote series.
“Esterhazy is a veteran team with good defence and forwards. We need to have a packed house to help our guys. This is an exciting time of year, come out to see some good hockey.”
The Esterhazy series was set to get underway on Feb. 20 with Game 1 in Canora.
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