CANORA - After an exciting 2023/24 season, which included making it all the way to the SEHL final, the defending North Division champion Canora Cobras began their quest for a league championship with a two-game southern road trip on Nov. 22 and 23.
Vs. Churchbridge
The Cobras opened their season in Churchbridge on Friday, and skated away with a 6-3 win. Coach Darren Schwartz said he was pleased with how his team started the season.
“Churchbridge scored first, but you’ve got to expect that, since our guys are still getting used to each other,” said Schwartz. “But we bounced right back and scored four goals before the end of the first period.”
In the remaining 40 minutes, the teams each scored twice, resulting in the 6-3 final score.
“Their goalie was really good, we should have scored more goals,” said Schwartz. “It’s going to take a few games for our guys to really get going. We pretty much have all new lines from last year.”
After winning the SEHL most improved player award last season, Kody Rock of Canora started right where he left off, leading the Cobras offense with two goals and two assists. Troy Zulyniak of Yorkton and Scott Mickoski of Regina each chipped in with a goal and two assists. The other two goals came off the sticks of newcomers Carter Dereniwsky of Canora and Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede, who also contributed an assist. Cody Dubas of Invermay set up a pair of goals, while Logan Foster of Kamsack and newcomer Kody Duczek of Grayson (Foster’s brother-in-law) each had one assist.
“We got tired near the end of the game, but that’s to be expected with it being the first game of the year,” said Schwartz. “Our new goalie, Brad Sentes (of Regina) played well. He’s just got to get used to the players around him and they have to get used to playing with Brad.
“All in all, for our first game of the season, I thought we did pretty well.”
Vs. Rocanville
The next night in Rocanville, it was a rematch of the SEHL championship final series from last spring. Unfortunately for Canora, the defending league champion Tigers came back late to claim a 3-2 overtime victory.
“We had a 2-0 lead and were playing well, Rylan Palchewich (of Canora) was outstanding in goal,” said Schwartz. “But we got into penalty trouble and got tired at the end, we couldn’t quite squeeze out the win.”
Kody Rock opened the scoring with a power-play goal for the Cobras halfway through the first period, his fifth point in two games, assisted by Ryley Stefanyshyn of Canora and Kody Duczek.
After a scoreless middle 20 minutes, Tanner Mak of Yorkton lit the red light for the Cobras in the third to stretch the lead to 2-0, with Stefanyshyn providing the only assist.
But then the momentum appeared to turn, and Rocanville scored their first goal of the game just over a minute later.
“That goal was huge for them,” said Schwartz. “After the 2-0 goal we sat back for a bit, and they took advantage. I told the players after the game we played about 54 or 55 good minutes, but we’ve got to learn from that. I also told them it’s better for that to happen now than later in the year.”
The Tigers tied the score in the final minute of the third period, and then won it in overtime.
Schwartz said the Cobras were definitely looking for revenge after the Tigers won the league championship last season, and came close to pulling out the win in Rocanville.
“We want to show them, we still have a sour taste from last year. After this game the players were really disappointed, and that’s good. It shows that they want to compete.”
Schwartz said, even though it was a loss, the Cobras did some things well. The vaunted Rocanville power play failed to score in seven opportunities against Rylan Palchewich and the rest of the Canora penalty killers.
“The new guys fit in well, everyone played well. The jitters that come with the start of the season are out now.
“Each goalie was in a game over the weekend and played well. Going forward, it’ll be good to have two goalies who are each on their game.”
The Cobras only have one game this upcoming weekend, but it’s a big one: the home opener against the Wapella Blackhawks on Sat. Nov. 30. Schwartz is hoping the Civic Centre will be filled with noisy Canora fans.
“Our guys should be fired up and ready to play. We hope everyone comes out and packs the rink like last year. We have a young and exciting team.”
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