MULTIMEDIA

Markham was hoping to have some of their walking wounded back on the ice but none of the seven was ready to return and while there might have been pressure felt by some to insert bodies into the lineup the smart decision was made.

After Saturday night's embarrassing setback in Thornhill the Waxers were a much different club and set the tone of the contest early by aggressively pressing the Raiders and utilizing the team speed that the Waxers possess to continually force the action and as a result Markham was able to force numerous turnovers.

The Raiders mounted their only real attack of the opening period during the course of two powerplays and netted the game's opening score. Moments after the Waxers had killed off a thirty second two-man advantage for the Raiders, Wexford struck on the PP to take the lead at 1-0. Late in the period the Waxers evened things at 1-1 apiece when Adam Doucette scores his 24th of the year from Kevin Cribari.

The Raiders struck twice early in the middle frame to leap ahead to a 3-1 advantage. Seven and a half minutes into the period Paul Robinson scored his 10th of the year from Mark Mitchell as his knuckleball flip eluded the Raider tender. Less than two minutes later Derek Doucette scores his 10th of the year and first Waxer goal with a wrist shot from inside the blue line to tie it at 3-3. Jesse Boucher and James Regan earned helpers on the tying goal. Again, less than two minutes later, Adam Doucette ripped off a bullet from the left wing that put the Waxers in front for the first time this night. The blast which the Raider goalie had no chance on was assisted by Patrick Diotte and Cribari. With five minutes remaining the Raiders took advantage of a loose puck in the crease area and it was tied at 4-4 after two complete.

The third period provided some entertaining hockey but it would be the Raiders who would strike with the go ahead goal, leaving just five minutes on the clock. With time running out the Waxers pulled their goalie with just over a minute remaining and the Raiders capitalized with an empty netter that would end up being the game winner. The Waxers took the ensuing faceoff with six attackers and immediately forced the play into Raider territory and with just under a half minute remaining in the game Robinson netted his second of the night from Adam Doucette and Jason Fraccaro. The Waxers had a two outstanding scoring chances in the final seconds but could not get the equalizer.

The loss was Markham's fourth in a row and second against top clubs that they deserved to win only to have the scoreboard show differently. Despite the short lineup the Waxers played outstanding hockey, generating scoring chances and keeping the first place Raider opportunities to a minimum, but it wasn't enough this night.

Certainly the Waxers have no reason to hang their heads after this game, the forwards played great generating scoring chances and forechecking with authority (Mark Menonte despite not appearing on the scoresheet had an outstanding game along with other centreman Fraccaro) and the defense was able to put last Saturday's debacle behind them and may have played as soundly as they have all year.

Saturday night the Waxers conclude their pre-Christmas schedule with a return visit to Thornhill. After the contest with the Rattlers the Waxers are off thankfully until January 2nd, hopefully the respite will allow some or all of the wounded time enough to recover..

G A M E   S T A T I S T I C S

No.

 G

A

PTS

PIM

PPG

SHG

GWG

TOTALS