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WAXERS READY FOR SECOND
SEASON The two clubs faced off on four occasions during the regular season and the Tigers won three close games, including two in overtime and one by two goals. The Waxers lone win was also a one-goal affair. With the second season underway, Waxers Head Coach Russ Herrington feels there's enough incentive on the part of his players to make amends for what transpired during the regular season. Each game though, could be undecided until the final buzzer sounds, he predicted. "When the guys look back on the games they had (against the Tigers), both overtime losses came when we played our third game in four nights. A couple of lucky bounces here and there and we squeak one out. They will be tough games. One miscue could be the game and we need to take advantage of that," Herrington said. Pleased with the way his club has performed down the stretch, winning 11 and tying two of its last 15 games, Herrington sees no reason why the success cannot continue. "I think we're well prepared. Our practices have been good and the intensity level is good. The guys are following our gameplan and they're confident. That goes a long way and I have a good feeling." Adding to Herrington's optimism is a relatively healthy squad as the Waxers enter the series with all bodies willing and able. Herrington makes no bones that the key to his club's ability to get past the first round, something the Waxers have not done in a few years, could be determined by their ability to play disciplined hockey. In other words, the Waxers cannot afford to take retaliatory penalties. This was something the team had a propensity for doing in games of late. "We've got to stay out of the penalty box. Our penalty count has still been kind of high. But we're taking more action penalties than reaction penalties. They're easier to kill off." As in any playoff series goaltending can determine a team's fate and Herrington does not hide the fact that the Waxers will need a Herculean effort between the pipes from Tom Lawson.
"Goaltending is definitely a key. It's at the top of the list. But the playoffs also come down to two or three other factors." Among those other factors that Herrington referred to are special teams and line matchups. The most serious concern Herrington has is the experience the Tigers possess as compared with his club. Herrington cites the Tigers have several players with three year of Junior A experience. Included in that group are defencemen Sean Murphy and Jason Ellis and forwards Eric Pacey and Dominic Moore, some of whom played under Herrington with the Thornhill franchise. "They have at least eight players who are 20 years of age. That's about six more than what we have," Herrington noted. "But Aurora comes out to compete every night."
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