The Canora Cobras returned to action after a weekend off and came up with three big wins in three nights. With the weekend sweep, the Cobras are assured of at least second place in the FLHL and sit just one point back of the first place Theodore Buffaloes.
On Friday night, it took until the midway point of the third period for the Cobras to find their legs again after the long layoff. Trailing 2-1, the Cobras scored five times in the final period to beat the Kelvington Wheat Kings, 6-2. Daniel Lamb scored three times, while Darcy Sliva, Zack Woloshyn, and Todd MacMurchy added singles. Jeremy Hrebenik stopped 26 shots in picking up the victory.
On Saturday, the Cobras went to Kelliher with only 10 skaters, but relied on a strong team defence anchored by goaltender Jeremy Hrebenik to beat the hometown Komets, 2-1. Todd MacMurchy’s goal with just 6:37 remaining in the third period proved to be the winner. The Komets lone goal came just 40 seconds into the third period, ending Hrebenik’s shutout streak at an incredible 92 minutes and 57 seconds. Ryan Kitchen opened up the scoring for the Cobras in the first period.
The Cobras played their third game of the weekend on Sunday afternoon and took off for Kelvington with only 8 skaters. With Jared Smutt getting the start in goal, Jeremy Hrebenik took off his goalie equipment and got the promotion up to right wing. Hrebenik hardly looked out of place as he and the rest of the Cobras frustrated the full powered Wheat Kings with a 4-1 Cobra victory. Ries Mansuy and Daniel Lamb each scored two goals for the Cobras.
The Cobras are dealing with a massive injury and illness bug as Bryan Heshka and Derrick Hoehn, among others, had to miss some action this weekend with various ailments. The Cobras have only 2 remaining games during the regular season, including their home finale on Saturday night versus the Kelliher Komets. The final game of the season will see the Cobras travel to Theodore on Tuesday February 12th. The Cobras currently sit just one point behind the Buffs, but the Buffs do have one game in hand. Therefore, the Cobras will need the Buffs to lose at least one other game before the season finale to set up a first place showdown. The Cobras can’t finish any lower then second place, so home ice advantage is already guaranteed for the first round of playoffs.
In provincial action, the Cobras, along with their pickups from Foam Lake (Jeff Lucky, Jason Bulych, Aaron Gervais, and Graham Farrell) will begin action on Saturday February 9th, when the Carnduff Red Devils are in town for an 8:00 start. Game two goes the next day in Carnduff. The first round of provincial action is a two game total goal series.
