CANORA - The Canora Cobras began the opening round of their playoff series on the road in Manitoba against the Swan Valley Axemen in Minitonas on Saturday, Feb. 11.
The game started well for the Cobras, and they were fully deserving of a 2-1 lead over the home team after the first period, according to Coach Darren Schwartz.
“We played just about a perfect road period and really stuck to the game plan. They scored first and we got down by one, but our guys stuck to our plan and hemmed them in their own end.”
Unfortunately, those were the only two goals the Cobras would score in the game. Swan Valley scored twice in the second period and took a 3-2 lead.
“We had the momentum, but we just kind of sat back instead of continuing to take the play to them,” said Schwartz. “We were on our heels and made some mental mistakes for some reason.”
In the third period, the Cobras gave a strong effort, but couldn’t regain the lost momentum.
“We were pressing and got some chances, but couldn’t get a goal,” continued Schwartz. “When you press, the other team usually gest chances, we couldn’t stay out of the penalty box, and they scored some goals.”
Josh Tripp of the Axemen scored three goals in the final period to round out a four-goal game along with one assist, and close out a 6-2 win and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series for Swan Valley. Carter Cockburn added a goal and assisted on all four of Tripp’s goals.
“We have to be on guys like that,” emphasized Schwartz. “In the first period, we took away their time and space, but later in the game we gave them too much space.”
Goal scorers for the Cobras were Austin Severson and Colby Jacob. Assists came from the sticks of Vaughn Wilgosh and Kody Rock of Canora, and Tanner Mak.
Game 2 in the series is set for Friday, Feb. 17 in Canora, a game that the Cobras need to win to prolong their season.
“If we stick to the game plan, we can win,” said Schwartz. “If we play three periods like we played in the first in Game 1, we can win. Swan Valley didn’t win that game, we lost it.
“We need all the fan support we can get, the guys would love to have a packed barn Friday night. Let’s pack the Civic Centre and show them what we’ve got. Our guys usually play better in front of a loud crowd, they love that, nobody in the league draws crowds like we do.”
If the Cobras pull out a victory in Game 2, the third and deciding game of the series goes Sunday night, Feb. 19, back in Minitonas.
