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Most disappointing was the commitment 12 of his veteran players exhibited after failing to adhere to an early curfew which was imposed on Saturday night, one day after his team dropped a 5-2 home ice decision to the Stouffville Spirit. For their wrongdoings, the 12 players were left watching Sundayıs matinee against the Couchiching Terriers from the Centennial Arena stands. What did bring a smile to Herrington though was the performance of those who filled in for the missing dozen as they took advantage of the opportunity given to them in helping the Waxers earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw. "As a coaching staff we were satisfied with the tie," Herrington acknowledged afterwards. Connor Treacy, one of four call ups from the midget AAAs, and Juaquin Chavira, a first-year centreman from California who had been an extra body on the roster, each scored their first junior A goals for the Waxers, who held a 2-1 lead entering the third period before the Terriers tied the game just past the midway point. The draw improved the Waxersı record to 6-4-3 and placed them in a tie for third place in the southern division with the Vaughan Vipers. While quick to point out his team had the good fortune of dressing six veteran defencemen for regular duty, which was a key factor in their tie, Herrington praised the work of his reserves which included Chavira, wingers Steven Wong and Ben Boudreau and the other three midget call ups in John Scrymgeour, Adam Taylor and Jordan Wilson. "This is a team game and the guys that made the commitment had to play well for those who didnıt and I thought we played that way (on Sunday)," said Herrington of the 16 skaters and two goalies that dressed. "All of the guys (who played) beared down and I thought the new faces that we used all acquitted themselves well. They all worked hard and did what we asked them to do."
As for Saturdayıs curfew, Herrington said a decision was made by the team to impose an early one, based largely on Fridayıs subpar effort. Each of the players, he revealed, was called at a specific time and those who were home suited up on Sunday. Herrington revealed the 12 players that did not dress will get an opportunity after yesterdayıs practice to earn a spot back on the roster for tomorrow's home game against the Ajax Axemen at 8 p.m. On Sunday, the Waxers will go on the road to face the Wexford Raiders at the Scarborough Gardens at 7 p.m.
"The (12 players) faced the consequences for their
actions and itıs over and done with. One game is enough," Herrington
revealed. In explaining their loss to the Spirit on Friday, Herrington conceded his team did not come to play. He did, however, give full marks to the Spirit. "For some reason the guys canıt get up for Stouffville. Itıs the wrong attitude for them to take and Stouffville does just the opposite. They outcompeted us. It was embarrasing to watch," said Herrington, who felt the Spirit had a little more incentive on their side with several former Waxers' players on their roster including Mark Mitchell, Mike Forgie and Kevin Hayward who had something to prove. In that game, Liam Bowen and Menonte each scored once for the Waxers, who trailed 3-1 after one period and 5-1 through two.
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