CANORA - After winning Game 1 of their provincial first-round playoff series 5-2 in Carnduff the previous weekend, the Canora Cobras eliminated the Red Devils by the exact same score in Game 2 in Canora on Feb. 8. Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz said his message to the team before Game 2 emphasized the urgency of the situation, and that they had no interest in going to a winner-take-all Game 3.
“We needed to come out ready to play, especially since we hadn’t played in a week,” said Schwartz. ”We were dealing with some injuries, and we knew that Carnduff would be desperate because they were facing elimination.”
Even though they were missing three players on defence, as well as goalie Rylan Palchewich and forward Max Flaherty, who is out with a broken leg, Schwartz said the Cobras stuck to the game plan and started well, coming out of the first period with a 2-0 lead.
The Red Devils narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the second, followed by a quick response from the Cobras to get back to a two-goal lead. But Carnduff scored again before the end of the period.
“The second period was the worst we’ve played in a while,” said Schwartz. “With a short bench, and a long change in the second period our guys were getting tired, which often leads to mental mistakes. We were lucky to come out of that period with a 3-2 lead.”
The Cobras got back on track in the final 20 minutes, scoring early to stretch the lead to 4-2 and then adding a late empty net goal.
Goalie Colby Entz of Churchbridge had a strong game for the Cobras, stopping 51 of 53 Carnduff shots.
“That’s the most shots we’ve given up in a while, but Colby made some timely saves,” said Schwartz. “Going forward, we need a better team defensive effort all around.
“Like our other goalies, Colby handles the puck well, which makes things much easier on our defence.”
There was a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistle in the Carnduff series, which Schwartz said is “something that comes from the way we play physical hockey, so we probably have to get used to it.”
Carter Dereniwsky of Canora led the Cobras offense with a pair of goals. Singles came from Tomas Hauber of Canora, Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede and Austin Severson of Norquay. Hauber and Schwartz each contributed an assist. Logan Foster of Kamsack was the top playmaker with a pair of assists.
Schwartz said the team appreciated the strong crowd support against Carnduff.
“It was a good series, the fans got to see a team they haven’t seen all year.”
The second round of provincials will see the Cobras go head-to-head against the Foam Lake Flyers, a long-time rival from back in the old Fishing Lake Hockey League. Game 1 goes in Foam Lake on Feb. 14, with Game 2 back in Canora on Feb. 17- note the early 5:30 p.m. start time.
Meanwhile, Canora was scheduled to open their best-of-three SEHL first round playoff series at home against the Wapella Blackhawks on Feb. 13. Schwartz said that, other than Max Flaherty, most or all of the other injured Cobras should be back in action.
Along with the Rocanville Tigers, Canora enters the playoffs in the top two in most major statistical categories. The Tigers and Cobras were first and second respectively in both most goals scored and fewest goals allowed during the 14-game regular season.
The two teams boasted no less than 10 of the top 20 scorers during the regular season. Carter Dereniwsky of Canora was tops for the Cobras, finishing tied for fifth in the league with 31 points on 14 goals and 17 assists. Scott Mickoski of Regina and Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede were close behind, tied for seventh with 30 points each. Mickoski led the Cobras in goals with 18, while Schwartz topped the team with 19 assists. Logan Foster of Kamsack was also in the top 20 for the Cobras, tied for 14th with 23 points in only eight games.
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