The Canora Cobra 2004/05 season was one of ups and downs. The season started off with high hopes, along with the goal of achieving the franchise’s first ever championship. What a ride it was!! Here is a retrospective look back on the historical Canora Cobra 2004-05 season.
EXHIBITION
November 6/04
The Canora Cobras opened up their exhibition season with a neutral site game in Kamsack versus the defending SHA Provincial A champion, Southey Marlins. It was obvious that the Cobras were not in game shape yet as the Marlins out skated the Cobras to a 10-4 victory. Darren Schwartz scored the first goal of the season for the Cobras, while Darcy Sliva, Brayden Pollon, and Jason Baptist also scored. Jarrett Smutt got the start in goal for the Cobras, giving up just one goal. Nick Ruff came on in relief and was on the hook for 9 goals. Unfortunately, this was the only game of the season for both Sliva and Smutt.
REGULAR SEASON
November 13/04
The Canora Civic Centre witnessed the beginning of the 2004/05 season as the defending league finalists from Kelliher made a visit. The big problem for the Cobras as the team broke training camp was the lack of an experienced goaltender. In the afternoon of the opening game, Coach Cal Homeniuk located a goaltender by the name of Dwayne Boddy. Boddy made his debut in a Cobra uniform a memorable one, stopping 22 of 23 shots to lead the Cobras to a 6-1 victory. Darren Schwartz scored the first regular season goal, just 3:34 into the game, but was ejected just 8 minutes later after picking up an unsportsmanlike conduct, 10 minute misconduct and game misconduct for arguing a call. Jason Baptist notched 2 goals and an assist, while Graham Lamb, Kelly Longley, and Mike Fedoruk also scored. Longley and Scott Marchinko also added 2 assists each. This game was the final game for Marchinko, as he was headed to Moose Jaw to complete school. While in Moose Jaw, he saw time with the Avonlea Arrows. This game also featured a bout between Kelly Longley and Greg Yuzicappi
November 19/04
Who knew that this game would be a prelude to one of the most memorable series in Canora history? The Cobras traveled to Theodore to take on the defending champions. Former Cobra, Rob Kozak picked up four points, including 4 goals, to lead the Buffs over the Cobras 7-4. Jason Baptist was in on all of the Cobra scoring, accumulating two goals and two assists. Kelly Longley and Ryan Kitchen scored the other goals. Longley and Darren Schwartz added two assists each. Dwayne Boddy took the loss in net. The Cobras welcomed Matt Lamb into the lineup, as he made his first appearance in a Cobra uniform. The Cobras out-shot the Buffs, but this will be a game to be remembered as one of missed opportunities. The Cobras scored a goal into their own net and handed a couple of pucks right onto Buffalo sticks (which ended up in the Cobra nets).
November 20/04
Saturday night’s game was a mix of the young and old (or experience) that helped the Cobras to a 9-3 victory over the Foam Lake Flyers. 17 year-old Brayden Pollon scored his first, second, and third goals as a Canora Cobra, while over 29 year-olds Dwayne Boddy and Stan Gulutzan were also pivotal in leading the Cobras to their second win of the season. Pollon’s eyes for the net earned him his first big-league hat trick in only his second official senior game. Boddy was steady in net, stopping 34 of 37 shots he faced to earn the victory between the pipes. Former Canora Renegade, Stan Gulutzan, a late call-up from the Canora Colts, played a regular shift on the top line and power play and was around the Flyer net all game. Kelly Longley, Jason Baptist, Matt Lamb, Ian Yaholnitsky, Graham Lamb, and Ryan Kitchen were the other goal-scorers for the Cobras. Chad Zavislak chipped in with 5 assists. Matt Lamb added 3 helpers and Darryl Dickson added two more. Each team picked up only 4 minutes in penalties this game.
December 5/04
The Cobras and their fans showed off for the cameras as the game sponsor, CTV, was on hand and taping the game. Despite being outshot 38-36, the Cobras made the most of their opportunities, blasting the Springside Flyers, 16-3. Kelly Longley and Jason Baptist scored hat tricks, while Brayden Pollon and Mike Fedoruk scored twice each. Charlie Keshane, Jeremy Keshane, Matt Lamb, Ryan Kitchen, Bryan Heshka, and Ian Yaholnitsky each scored singles. Graham Lamb added 6 assists. Dwayne Boddy picked up the win.
December 10/04
It’s hard to put into words the way this game went. The Cobras fell 6-4 to the Wadena Wildcats. However, the most action in this game took place in the penalty box. The Cobras accumulated 124 minutes in penalties to the Wildcats’ 10. Charlie Keshane picked up a 30 day suspension after skating after the referee. Matt Lamb, Darren Schwartz, Kelly Longley were all served 10 minute misconducts. Lamb and Jason Baptist were also handed out game misconducts. The game featured the debuts of Drew Wereboweski and Zack Woloshyn, as the Cobras traveled to Wadena with only 10 skaters. Schwartz, Woloshyn, Longley, and Ian Yaholnitsky scored the Cobra goals. Dwayne Boddy was the goaltender of record and played his first game without a backup, as Nick Ruff left the team.
December 12/04
It was a cold Sunday afternoon and the Cobras had to make their first ever trip to Kelvington with only 10 players. This included Coach Cal Homeniuk, who had to put on the skates for the first time this season. However, the Cobras left everything that they had on the ice, as they squeaked out a 7-6 overtime victory over the Wheat Kings. Kelly Longley’s third goal of the game 2:52 into overtime gave the Cobras the win. Longley also added 3 assists for a 6 point game. Jason Baptist and Bryan Heshka scored twice each.
