CANORA - Facing the defending league champion Rocanville Tigers in Rocanville on March 16, the Canora Cobras got off on the right foot with a 5-3 win, heading into Game 2 in Canora in the best-of-five SEHL championship series.
“They’re a very experienced, veteran team,” said Cobras Coach Darren Schwartz. “They’ve been together a long time. To beat them, we have to play a full game and be ready for their challenge.”
In Game 1, the Tigers had the early advantage with a 1-0 lead after the first period.
“We played well off the start,” said Schwartz. “But we took a penalty and they capitalized with a power play goal.”
Rocanville doubled their lead with an early second-period goal, but the Cobras bounced back with two of their own to tie the score at 2-2 heading into the second intermission.
“They went up 2-0, bit we were resilient,” said Schwartz. “Our guys didn’t panic, we battled back and tied it 2-2.”
That set the stage for the pivotal third period, where Schwartz said the Cobras earned the all-important Game 1 road victory.
“We scored a couple and got up 4-2, then they made it 4-3. We played a sound game and scored late after they pulled their goalie. It’s going to take that kind of effort every game to win this series.”
Derrick Schwartz of Runnymede led the Cobras with a goal and two assists. Other goal scorers for the winners were Brett Duczek of Grayson, Scott Mickoski of Regina, Troy Zulyniak of Yorkton and Logan Foster of Kamsack, who also added an assist.
After the Tigers won the final series over the Cobras last year, Coach Schwartz said that experience can only benefit Canora players this time around.
“The veteran presence helps us, our guys know what it’s going to take. Last year we had a grueling semifinal round against Swan Valley, we’re better rested this year.”
With Game 1 behind them, Schwartz said the Cobras have no time to think ahead about what’s in store if they can win two more games.
“We can’t take our foot off the gas. We have to stay true to our game plan, stay with hard work. Bump and grind, that’s what got us here. This series is far from over, we know that, can’t look past the next game, or even the next period. We have to be ready to battle every game.”
Schwartz said he hopes Cobras fans are getting excited about Game 2 in Canora on Friday, March 21.
“It should be a great game, we need their support just like in the series against Swan Valley last year. Hopefully the rink is full with a great crowd behind us.”
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