Canora Minor League Hockey teams returned to the ice starting January 4 after a short break for the holiday season, though the teams squeezed in a few games close to Christmas.
December 16 was the date for a game at the Canora Civic Centre, where the Canora Peewee Cobras lost to the Yorkton Days Inn and Suites Peewee Terriers 11-3. Goals were made by Mathew Dmitruik (two) and Logan Lewchuk, while assists were by Jake Statchuk, Porter Wolkowski and Codee Kopelchuk.
On December 17, the Canora Novice Red team travelled to the Dana Antal Arena in Esterhazy, where they played against Esterhazy Novice White and lost 19-0.
The Canora Novice Black team was also travelling on December 17 to the Preeceville Skating Arena, where they played against the challenging Preeceville Novice Pats. Though the Canora team was defeated 6-4, coach Jeff Sznerch was very proud of the players.
“The kids played awesome and really gave it their all. We were in the lead or tied for the bulk of the game,” he said.
Goals were scored by Chase Hembling (two) and Wyatt Wolkowski (two).
Meanwhile, two games were played at the Canora Civic Centre. The Canora Atom Cobras Red played “an excellent game” against the Kamsack Atom Flyers and won 11-1.
“The Canora Atom Red Cobras jumped right into this game and had a 6-0 lead after the first period,” said Tracey Bletsky, the team manager.
The second period had Kamsack scoring one goal before Canora returned with two more, and the third period concluded with three more Canora goals.
“A great team effort was put in by all.”
Goals were scored by Rylan Bletsky, Nate Wolos (four), Rhett Ludba (four), Hunter Lamb and Bronson Heshka. Assists were by Rhett Ludba (two) and Nate Wolos.
The Canora Atom Cobras Black also had a game against the Preeceville Atom Pats and managed to win 5-2. Goals were by Chase Hembling, Ty Sleeva and Briel Beblow (three). An assist was by Taye Shukin.
The Canora Peewee Cobras travelled to Yorkton to play against the Yorkton Mark’s Work Wearhouse Peewee Terriers at the Farrell Agencies Arena. The team lost 14-1 with its single goal scored by Jake Statchuk and assisted by Mathew Dmitruik and Jaxson Lindgren.
Back in Canora, the Canora Atom Cobras Black defeated the Kamsack Atom Flyers with a score of 7-2. Goals were by Brody Gulka (four), Briel Beblow, Kade Rubletz and Taye Shukin. Assists were by Taye Shukin, Briel Beblow (two) and Brody Gulka.
A final game for 2016 was played on December 23 at the Canora Civic Centre, where Canora Novice Red beat the Cote Novice Chiefs 10-9.
Goals were by Kale Strelioff (four), Jhett Kelly (two), Gabrielle Marcischuk-Butler, Cayden Kelly, Jack Korpusik and Colton Bletsky. Assists were by Jack Korpusik, Colton Bletsky, Cayden Kelly, Kaelyn Shukin and Gabrielle Marcischuk-Butler.
Hockey action returned on January 4 when the Canora Peewee Cobras played the Yorkton Days Inn and Suites Peewee Terriers at the Kinsmen Arena. The team lost 12-3. Goals were by Mathew Dmitruik, Porter Wolkowski and Codee Kopelchuk. Assists were by Jake Statchuk (two) and Mathew Dmitruik.
One more game was played in Yorkton on January 5. The game against the Canora Black Atom Cobras and Yorkton Richardson Pioneer Atom Terriers ended in a 4-4 tie with Yorkton pulling its goalie in the last minute. Goals were scored by Taye Shukin and Briel Beblow with two each.
“As of last night, the team's record is five wins, one loss and one tie, putting them near the top of their division,” Jennifer Sleeva, team manager, said on Friday.
