The Canora Cobras came up with an impressive win and then dropped a close game the following night for their first loss of the season in Sask East Hockey League weekend action at the Canora Civic Centre on December 10 and 11.
The Ituna Avalanche paid a second visit to Canora this season, and once again, the Cobras were not exactly hospitable to their visitors, skating away with a 12 to 3 win.
The scoring started early in this one, as Ryley Stefanyshyn and Darcy Sliva, both of Canora, found the net before the five-minute mark of the first period. Three more goals later in the frame had the Cobras up by 5 to 0 heading into the first intermission. Canora outscored Ituna 7 to 3 over the last two periods.
Brennan Watson of Kamsack led the way on offence, with a had trick and an assist for the Cobras. Kyle Yaremchuk, Donnie St. Marie and Aaron Yaremchuk each contributed a goal and two assists, while Kody Rock of Canora turned playmaker on this night with three assists. Other Canora goals were by Matt Wilgosh and Vaughn Wilgosh, both of Canora, Brandon Pelletier of Kamsack and Cole Rathgeber, in addition to Stefanyshyn and Sliva.
The first period was penalty-free, but that didn’t last very long. A total of 15 penalties were assessed in the final 40 minutes, including 10 to the Cobras.
Coach Terry Dennis said the Cobras played a strong all-around game against Ituna.
“After we built an 8 to 0 lead the game got a little rough, but I was happy with the way the team stuck up for each other. We had strong games from Brennan Watson and Donnie St Marie.”
The following night on December 11, the Cobras faced a stiff test against the visiting Rocanville Tigers and came out on the short end of a well-played 4 to 2 game. The Tigers opened the scoring with a power play goal midway through the first period, but Kody Rock of Canora replied with a power play goal of his own a few minutes later. Another power play goal by Rocanville later in the period gave the Tigers a 2 to 1 lead heading into the first intermission.
The second period was scoreless, as Cobras goalie Rylan Palchewich kept the score close with 15 saves, many of them of the difficult variety.
The second goal of the game by Stephane Robidoux of the Tigers midway through the third period gave Rocanville a 3 to 1 lead, and turned out to be the game winner. Tanner Kopeck of the Cobras cut the lead to 3 to 2 several minutes later, but shortly thereafter, Robidoux completed the hat trick to close out the scoring.
With just under three minutes to play, Ryan Regel of the Tigers was assessed a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct for a hit on Vaughn Wilgosh of the Cobras, but Canora was unable to find the back of the net during the resulting power play.
Coach Dennis said it was a challenging game for the Cobras.
“We started out slow, not used to playing a faster pace skilled team. We picked up our game after the 10-minute mark and played back and forth in a well played, exciting game,” reported Dennis. “We had strong goaltending by Rylan Palchewich. Rocanville had three power play goals and that was the difference. Our players played well and just didn’t get the bounces but it was an entertaining game with a good crowd of about 200 fans. Kyle Yaremchuk and Tanner Kopeck had strong games for the Cobras. We look forward to another exciting, fast-paced game on Saturday, December 18 at home against Theodore and hope to see a big crowd cheer us on!”
