The Canora Cobras earned decisive wins by 8-2 in Wapella on Jan. 12, and 12-2 in Kelliher over the Ituna Avalanche on Jan. 13, pushing their winning streak to nine straight.
In the Wapella game, the Cobras started well and jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes, but Coach Darren Schwartz was not at all pleased with the team’s effort in the middle period.
“We kind of just held on, didn’t play well, and it was 3-1 after the second period,” said Schwartz.
Schwartz said the team was more focused in the third, got back to the game plan and played very well, outscoring the Blackhawks 5-1 to win going away. Behind winning goalie Durban Hleboff, the Cobras outshot Wapella 65-21.
“I told the guys it’s good to get 65 shots, but we need better shots from good scoring areas and make them count more.”
Skylar Hladun led the Cobras offense with four goals. Other goals came from the sticks of Ryley Stefanyshyn of Canora, Jake Heerspink, Austin Severson, and Troy Zulyniak, with Heerspink and Zulyniak each adding an assist. Vaughn and Mathew Wilgosh of Canora and Scott Mickoski were the top playmakers with two assists each.
The next evening, the Cobras were in Kelliher to take on the Ituna Avalanche. Even though the final score was 12-2 for Canora, at the start of the first period it looked like Ituna had thoughts of pulling off a huge upset. The Avalanche scored only 15 seconds after the drop of the puck. But the Cobras responded and tied the score less than 20 seconds later. Canora proceeded to take over the game, with period leads of 4-1 and 10-1.
“That early Ituna goal showed us we have to be ready to play at all times,” said Schwartz. “Against a top team like Theodore or Rocanville, an early goal like that could be the difference in the game.”
The offensive depth of the Cobras was front and centre in the win over Ituna, with 11 different players contributing two or more points each.
Logan Foster led the way with two goals and two assists. Scott Mickoski, Ryley Stefanyshyn and Skylar Hladun also contributed two goals apiece, giving Hladun six for the weekend.
“It looks like Skylar has found his game again for us,” said Schwartz. “Sometimes it takes something like the fight he won against Rocanville in our last home game to get a player back into his rhythm.”
Kody Rock, Tomas Hauber and Maximilian Flaherty, all of Canora, and Troy Zulyniak were the other goal scorers. Jake Heerspink was the top playmaker against the Avalanche with three assists.
The Cobras’ lead in the north division has increased to six points over second-place Theodore, but the Buffalos have a game in hand.
Next action for the Cobras is Saturday, Jan. 20, when the Cote Selects make the trip to Canora, no doubt hungry for revenge after losing to the Cobras at home on Jan. 5.
“We have three tough games left in the regular season,” said Schwartz. “We’ve got to be ready to go, get tuned up for the playoffs.”
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