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.
January 22, 2005
It was the goaltenders nights to shine in Foam Lake. The Flyers’ Devin Spencer and the Cobras’ Kevin McGonigal seemed invincible and it seemed like it was going to take a fluke shot to elude either netminder. This is exactly what happened, as a Flyer clearing attempt ended up behind their own goalie, giving the Cobras a 2-1 victory. Dana Keshane was credited with the goal. Kelly Longley had earlier given the Cobras a 1-0 lead. Jason Baptist had a chance to extend the lead, as he was granted a penalty shot, but failed to get the puck past Spencer. The game featured only 7 penalties handed out.
January 23, 2005
The Cobras ventured into SHA Provincial Playoffs, with a date against the defending Provincial A champions, Southey Marlins. A capacity crowd in Canora was on hand to witness exciting hockey. The Cobras picked up Randy Dougan for provincial play and his speed proved to be a factor. The Cobras got on the board first with a Darren Schwartz first period goal. However, the Marlins would score 3 times in the second period and twice more in the third. Kelly Longley added a goal late in the third, but the Marlins took game 1 of the best of three series, 5-2. Dwayne Boddy faced 40 shots in the Cobra net.
January 25, 2005
Two nights later, the Cobras left for Southey without Jason Baptist, Darren Schwartz, Brayden Pollon, Mike Fedorak, and Drew Werboweski. The Cobras battled hard for their provincial lives, but fell short to the eventual provincial runner-ups, 4-1, and thus ending their provincial run. Randy Dougan scored the lone Cobra goal. No shots were recorded, but Dwayne Boddy kept the Cobras in the game with one of his best games ever. Some miraculous, acrobatic saves left many people at the game in awe. It was a tough game for the Cobras, who lost Charlie Keshane, Zack Woloshyn, and Dana Keshane early in the game, due to ejections.
January 28, 2005
The Cobras refocused and went to work on extending their 6 game FLHL winning streak with a home game versus their northern rivals from Preeceville. Dwayne Boddy proved that his amazing play during provincials was no fluke, by turning away 45 of 47 shots he faced in leading the Cobras to a 7-2 victory. Jason Baptist extended his team scoring lead, with 3 goals and 2 assists. Brayden Pollon, Dana Keshane, Dale Spelchen, and Sean Raison scored singles.
January 29, 2005
The Cobras tied a club record with their 8th win in a row, by beating the visiting Springside Flyers, 8-2. Dale Spelchen continued his scoring streak with a 4 goal night. Kelly Longley, Brayden Pollon, Graham Lamb, and Scott Marchinko scored singles. Dwayne Boddy and Kevin McGonigal combined to make 23 saves for the win. The Cobras fired 48 shots, including 22 in the first period alone, against the Springside net.
February 4, 2005
Two 8 game winning streaks were on the line, as the Cobras hooked up with the Theodore Buffaloes. A Cobra win would clinch second spot for Canora. However, before everyone’s seats even warmed up at the Theodore barn, it was 4-0 for the home side. In one of the most anticipated match-ups of the season, the Cobras forgot to show up. Goaltender Dwayne Boddy was victimized in the pipes for the mistakes made in front of him. Several great saves by Boddy prevented the score from being even worse.
It was an emotional, profanity filled conversation in the dressing room during the first intermission. Something must have worked as the Cobras came out scrapping the rest of the way. The final score ended up 6-4, but at least the Cobras were able to make a game out of what could have been an embarrassing disaster. Evan Anderson marked his return to the Cobras with 2 goals. Darren Schwartz and Dale Spelchen had the others. Jason Houston continued to be the Cobra killer, picking up a hat trick for the Buffs. Houston now had 11 points in 3 games versus the Cobras.
February 5, 2005
The Cobras continued their road trip with a trip up to Kelvington. Three goals given up in an 8 minute span in the opening frame saw the Wheaties take the early lead into the dressing room for the first intermission. The Cobras once again clawed back, but the deficit was too great to overcome and the Wheaties came away with a 3-2 victory over the Cobras. Jason Baptist and Ryan Kitchen scored for the Cobras. Kevin McGonigal suffered his first loss as a Cobra goaltender, stopping 31 of 34 shots.
The game featured a bout between Charlie Keshane of the Cobras and the Wheat King captain. As the final buzzer sounded, Darren Schwartz took on Brett Spray in a scrap. Kelly Longley and David Cunningham also dropped the gloves. 134 minutes in penalties were handed out in the final Cobra-Wheat King meeting of the season – Canora 79, Kelvington 55.
February 11, 2005
The Cobras finally clinched second spot and home ice advantage through to the league final, after a 6-2 victory in Preeceville. While Dwayne Boddy was on vacation, Kevin McGonigal stepped in admirably, giving up only 2 early goals. 6 different scorers found their names on the scoresheet – Dana Keshane, Ryan Kitchen, Dale Spelchen, Scott Marchinko, Darren Schwartz, and Bryan Heshka. Two scraps excited the fans in the late seconds of the game. Evan Anderson went toe-to-toe with Elton Keshane, while Charlie Keshane faced off against Greg Olson. Anderson and Charlie Keshane each piled up 19 minutes in penalties for the visiting team.
February 12, 2005
It was Rider Pride day at the CobraDome as several members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders were in Canora to take on a combined Canora Colts/Flames squad. Playing for the Riders were current players Gene Makowsky and Dennis Mavrin, as well as alumni and media such as Bob Poley, Greg Fieger, Steve Mazurak, and Lee Jones. The Riders won the game 6-5 and in the process raised close to $900 for the Canora Child Action Plan Committee.
The Wadena Wildcats then paid a visit to the Cobras. A great start saw the Cobras take a 6-1 lead into the first intermission. However, the shorthanded Wildcats found their second winds and almost pulled off the comeback as the Cobras escaped with an 8-6 win. Darren Schwartz scored twice, while Drew Wereboweski, Charlie Keshane, Dale Spelchen, Dana Keshane, Scott Marchinko, and Evan Anderson scored singles. The win proved costly as Dale Spelchen left early with a shoulder injury.
February 13, 2005
The Cobras closed out the season with some late game heroics, overcoming a 4-1 second intermission deficit to defeat the visiting Foam Lake Flyers, 7-4. The Jason Baptist - Sean Raison – Ryan Kitchen line combined for 9 points. Baptist picked up the hat trick while Raison scored twice. Dana Keshane and Graham Lamb scored the others. Kevin McGonigal stopped 27 shots for the win.
