If the first two games of the FLHL semi-finals between the Canora Cobras and the Kelvington Wheat Kings are any indication, we should be in for a very exciting and, hopefully, memorable upcoming weekend! The two teams split the past weekend’s game, each winning on the road and each needing overtime to pick up 5-4 victories.
Despite having home ice advantage on the strength of their better regular season record, the Cobras began the playoffs on the road due to a scheduling conflict. The Cobras were coming off of a 17 day break since their last game on February 12th and the layoff was definitely a factor in the early going, as the Wheat Kings seemed to have the early jump, fueled by a raucous hometown crowd. Jeremy Hrebenik held the Wheat Kings at bay, though, giving up just one goal in the opening period.
Daniel Lamb got things going early in the second, tying the game at one. Zack Woloshyn then converted on an outstanding individual effort, as he danced around the Wheat King defence, hopped over an outstretched goaltender and, while falling to the ice, still managed to push the puck into the net. The lead was short-lived though, as the Wheat Kings answered back with two goals of their own. Early in the third, a defensive breakdown allowed a Wheat King shooter to stand all alone at the side of the crease and he tapped in an easy shot to give the hometown squad a 4-2 lead.
While it would have been easy to fold up the tents and look ahead to game two, the Cobras decided they weren’t going home with a loss. The Cobras had several chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Finally, with just over 7 minutes remaining, Todd MacMurchy scored to close the deficit to one goal. Several more chances were denied and the Cobras were forced to take a time-out to regroup and plan their strategy. With the goaltender on the bench, the Cobras pressed and were finally rewarded when Kevin Monastyrski’s shot squeaked through the legs of the Wheat King goaltender with just 55 seconds remaining.
Going into overtime, the Cobras were forced to play shorthanded when Monastyrski was called for hooking at the end of the third period. The Cobras stayed cool and didn’t allow any scoring opportunities during the Wheat King power play. As Monastyrski stepped out of the box, the Cobras jumped on the rush. Graham Lamb found Sean Kolodzjieski at the side of the net, and Kolodzjieski’s shot over the goaltender’s shoulder gave the Cobras game one of the series in a thrilling 5-4 come-from-behind overtime victory.
With game two in Canora on Saturday night, the Cobras were welcomed with a big and noisy crowd. Daniel Lamb, Graham Lamb, and Zack Woloshyn all scored for the Cobras as they took a 3-2 lead into the first intermission. Daniel Lamb scored his second goal of the game five minutes into the second to give the Cobras a 4-2 lead.
The scene was eerily similar to one night earlier. The home team looked confident with a 4-2 lead, but the visitors appeared to be intent in climbing back into the game. It was the Wheat Kings turn to pull off the comeback, as they replied with goals in the second and third period to force extra time before scoring the game winner in overtime and stunning the hometown team and crowd.
The overtime winner was scored while the Wheat Kings were on the power play and while the Cobras would love to argue right to the end about why such a questionable penalty would be called at that juncture of the game, the bottom line holds that the Cobras failed themselves. With time winding down in regulation, the Cobras held a 5-on-3 power play but failed to capitalize. Several opportunities throughout the evening went by without the Cobras being successful. It is plain to see that in order for the Cobras to move on to the league championship finals, they will need to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to them.
Two Cobra players were honored with league awards prior to the game on Saturday night. Daniel Lamb received the Top Scorer award, marking the third consecutive year the Cobras have held the trophy as Todd MacMurchy, who finished second in the league this season, won the award the past two seasons. Zack Woloshyn was named a co-winner of the league’s Rookie of the Year award, sharing it with Kelvington’s Logan Boyes. Other league winners were Jeff Lucky of Foam Lake being named Most Valuable Player, Matt Lerat of Kelliher taking home the Top Goaltender honours, Kelvington’s Kyle Hope being presented the Top Defenceman, and J.J. Johnson of the Wheat Kings being awarded the league’s Most Gentlemanly Player.
The other semi-final series has also been very exciting as the Theodore Buffaloes and Kelliher Komets also split their opening weekend. Game three of the Cobras-Wheat Kings series goes on Friday night in Canora at 8:30. Game four is in Kelvington on Saturday night. If necessary, game 5 is in Canora at 2:30. See you at the rink!!
