MULTIMEDIA

The first period featured very few scoring chances by either side. The Waxers hit paydirt first when Mark Mitchell made a rush almost end-to-end that resulted in a scoring chance for Paul Robinson, Robinson made good from a less than optimum angle on the left wing and the Waxers were in flight at 1-0. Steve Nobili picked up the second assists.

Midway through the game Jason Young unloaded with a bullet from the right faceoff circle, his shot hit the underside of the crossbar and skipped into the top shelf, an outstanding shot that the Oshawa tender could not be faulted for. Jimmy Ball and Nobili with the assists.

Oshawa spoiled Rick Marnon's bid for a shutout early in the third to cut the Waxer lead to 2-1. After that goal the Waxers elevated their game to another level (a level they have played at for many of the games up to the conclusion of the regular season when they finished up with 20 out of 26 possible points to escape from the pack to gain third place). Marnon made two excellent stops to preserve the tie before Young scored his second of the night to "turn out the lights". With just over four minutes remaining Andy Schofield fed Nobili with an outlet pass, Nobili carried the puck deep down the right wing and made a nice pass into the goal mouth area where Young alertly changed position to tip it into the Legionaires cage.

The Waxers depth up front was enhanced by the return of Jason Fraccaro (his play in the first two periods was as good as any of the Waxer forwards, it was as if he'd never missed a game). Then there was the much anticipated return of Nobili, beside being in on each of the three Waxer goals he was outstanding as usual defensively but more importantly for the Waxers of late he was exceptional in key faceoff situations.

However, despite the win, it was obvious to any long-time Waxer observer that the Waxers have played better hockey but it's an important point to note that despite their top two lines having perhaps "off-nights" the Waxers depth and experience carried them through.

This was a great example to illustrate that hockey is a team game and the Waxers have been getting key contributions from different guys on different nights since New Year's, another way of looking at it is that when there's been a hole to fill there's been more often than not a player (or two or three, etc.) to step up their play and do what's necessary to get the job done. That is exactly what is going to take this club a long way in the post-season.

No rest for these two clubs as game two goes at Markham Centennial Friday night at 8:00pm. At this time we don't have a confirmed schedule for the remainder of the series (there are some issues with respect to acquiring ice time, not an unusual situation at this time of the year), we do however hope to be able to share with you additional scheduling information tomorrow (Friday) but failing that you'll be able to find out here as quickly as those matters get resolved.

G A M E   S T A T I S T I C S

No.

 G

A

PTS

PIM

PPG

SHG

GWG

TOTALS