CANORA - “It’s a great feeling to win. We have such a good group of guys and that makes it even more special.”
Led by Captain Ryley Stefanyshyn of Canora, the Canora Cobras won the SEHL championship and the Emile Balogh Trophy with a Game 3 victory in Rocanville on March 22 to sweep the best-of-five league championship series in three straight games.
“We had a well-rounded team with four solid lines up front, our defence was also solid and goaltending was a key part to our success,” said Stefanyshyn.
The win comes as sweet revenge for the Cobras, after being swept in the final a year ago by those same Rocanville Tigers.
After taking Game 1 in Rocanville with a 5-3 win on March 16, the Cobras continued the momentum with a pivotal 5-4 overtime win in Game 2 in Canora on March 21, and completed the sweep the next evening in Rocanville, with another 5-3 victory to eliminate the Tigers.
“It's been 20 years since the last Cobras championship. So when they come you savour it,” said Cal Homeniuk, Cobras general manager. “It makes all the hard work and dedication from the players and staff so satisfying. The two Cobras teams were very similar, great team chemistry. Every player knew there roles. Every player would have their teammate’s back.”
Game 2
After the Cobras had won on the road in Game 1, Voice of the Cobras Pat Miechkota, as only he can, set the stage for the all-important Game 2 in Canora on March 21.
“Tonight, the main course is set. The snake takes is first bite of the appetizer, leaving the hungry Tigers still waiting in line for a seat at the table.”
The Cobras opened the scoring in the first period and built a 4-2 lead by the early stages of the third, including a pair of power play goals.
“We didn’t have our best game, we were chasing the game all night,” said Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz.
Trailing by two, the Tigers scored twice in the final period to force overtime. Schwartz said, unlike this game, the Cobras are usually effective closers when they have a late lead.
“We’ve been a shutdown team in the third period most games. Credit them for taking advantage of our mistakes.”
After a hard-fought overtime, the Cobras thrilled their fans by scoring the winner.
“It went back and forth, both goalies played well,” said Schwartz. “Rocanville was really tired. They were running only four defensemen. We got a two-on-one break and scored the winner.”
Schwartz said Game 2 was the turning point in the series, going up 2-0.
“It was a huge win for us. They would have had all the momentum if it had been 1-1 going back to Rocanville, but our guys battled.”
Kody Rock led the Cobras with a pair of goals in Game 2. Singles came from Logan Foster of Kamsack, and Tomas Hauber and Carter Dereniwsky of Canora, with Dereniwsky sniping the overtime winner on a feed from Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede.
Game 3
After a draining Game 2 in Canora less than 24 hours earlier, Canora and Rocanville took to the ice for Game 3 in Rocanville and Schwartz prepared his team for a difficult challenge.
“I told our guys they’ve got to be mentally strong,” said Schwartz. “Everyone is tired, beat up, but they’ve got to do what it takes to win.
“The last game is the hardest to win. We’ve got to stick with it, trust everyone in our room.”
The Tigers scored first in Game 3, and led 2-1 after the second period.
“We had chances to score, but there were lots of penalties and that took the flow away from the game.”
In the second intermission, Schwartz told his team to “‘Put everything on the line and see what happens.’ We scored early in third on the power play, and that pretty much took the wind out of their sails and we were on our way.”
The Cobras out-scored the home team 4-1 in the third period to win the game, the series and the championship.
Logan Foster of Kamsack scored a pair of goals for the winners, giving him 14 for the playoffs, and added an assist. Carter Dereniwsky of Canora matched Foster with two goals and an assist. Ryley Stefanyshyn of Canora scored the other goal, the game winner and series winner.
Winning his eighth straight playoff game, and 18th straight overall, goalie Brad Sentes of Regina was named MVP of the playoffs.
“Brad is a special guy,” said Schwartz. “He never lost a game all season. He’s so calm back there. Without our two goalies, Brad and Rylan Palchewich of Canora, we don’t win.”
Schwartz said the championship is a well-earned victory for the Cobras.
“I was so happy for the boys, the organization, they battled all season through lots of adversity,” said Schwartz. “Through injuries and players being away for other reasons, we found ways to win.”
In what is probably his final Canora Courier interview as Cobras general manager, Cal Homeniuk said, “We created a great team culture to carry us through the years to come, and many more championships.
“For the fans, it is you that makes this team survive; from your support, from your attendance to the games, to your sponsorships. This championship is just as much yours as it is the team’s.
“I well be stepping down next year and let the next generation take the reins. They are ready for it. They have all the tools and support to take the Cobras to the next level.
“What I heard from the team is that they want the championship even more next year and a Provincial banner to go with it.”
