..FROM THE DESK OF MIKE HAYAKAWA..
JANUARY 12, 2002
Although the Provincial Junior A Hockey League regular season is winding
down, the Markham Waxers are still learning a few things about
themselves as a team.
One of the lessons they took home with them after a 7-4 victory over the
visiting Aurora Tigers at Centennial Arena on Friday was the discovery
that they can ill afford to let down their guard for even the shortest
duration.
Nursing a 2-0 lead after one period, the Waxers took a nonchalant
approach entering the second period, which saw the Tigers score four of
the next five goals to take a 4-3 lead before Kevin Cribari's second
goal of the game enabled Markham to knot the count at 4-4 after 40 minutes.
That goal seemed to light a spark under the Waxers, who received
unanswered third-period markers from Jason Duffy, on a power play, Mark
Menonte, on a shorthanded effort and Jason Young to round out the scoring.
"It's amazing what happens when you go to sleep for six or seven
minutes," said a relieved Waxers' head coach Russ Herrington upon
conclusion of the game. "For a while it looked like there was a peewee
team that came out to play. I said to the guys when you don't do the
simple things right like picking up the winger, it results in mistakes.
"We lacked focus for a couple of minutes and we didn't respect our
opponents. We said to the guys between the first and second period that
(Aurora) will probably get screamed at and we came out like 'yeah, we
got them.' That was part of the problem."
Pat Porretta opened the scoring and Jesse Boucher, with a shorthanded
effort in the second period, rounded out the scoring for the Waxers, who
improved their south conference record to 21-16-4-1.
What did please Herrington though, was the club's ability to rally when
they did trail in the contest.
"It showed the character of this team. It's something we haven't shown
consistently all year. That was nice," he said. "But we're happy with
the win."
In an effort to shore up their defence, the Waxers made one major move
at the trade deadline when they acquired Matt Neely in a cash
transaction with the Tigers, who owned his Provincial Junior A Hockey
League rights and Campbellton, N.B., the team he last played for this
season in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.
A member of the Antingonish entry in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League
that went to the Royal Bank Cup and a league all-star, Neely is no
stranger to the Waxers as the 20-year-old Markham native played with
them five seasons ago.
Although Neely hasn't seen any activity duty in almost two months, he
logged plenty of ice time Friday as he saw regular duty and was employed
on the power play and penalty killing units. Herrington feels Neely
brings plenty to the table.
"He definitely brings leadership to the club and he has a calming
influence. He definitely knows what it takes to win. I'll be excited to
see how he plays when he gets his timing back.
"He plays well with and without the puck. I think the way he played
tonight he earned some respect from the guys in the dressing room."
Waxers' general manager Larry Herrington noted that he had been working
feverishly over the last few weeks to acquire Neely, who was sought
after by a number of clubs across Canada.
"This was a project that took a couple of weeks. When the chance came
for us to trty and get him here it was something we had to do. He's an
outstanding player and the fact that he's a Markham boy was important
for us."
Upon conclusion of the game, the Waxers team took a weekend trip to
Notre Dame University to visit the South Bend, Indiana campus and to
watch the Fighting Irish hockey team play Northern Michigan.
The Waxers resume league play tonight in Oshawa.

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