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..FROM
THE DESK OF MIKE HAYAKAWA..
Last weekend, the Waxers extended its losing streak to three games after suffering a humiliating 4-3 loss to the cellar-dwelling south conference North York Rangers Friday at Centennial Arena and a 9-1 lambasting at the hands of the host Thornhill Rattlers the next night. Occupying fourth place in the south conference, the two losses dropped the Waxers' record to 19-16-0-0. "Getting a couple of wins would be at the top of my Christmas wish list," said Herrington of the disappointing weekend. In explaining his club's woes, Herrington could not pinpoint one specific reason. Some untimely injuries to key personnel including defencemen Jimmy Ball (shoulder), Alex Stoyan (charley horse), Mike Stoyan (concussion) and forwards Jason Young (back problems), Jason Duffy (broken collar bone), Ryan Steane (broken neck) and Steve Nobili (ankle injury incurred in Friday's game) didn't enhance his club's chances. But Herrington refused to use that as the primary cause. He speculated that Thursday's 7-4 setback against the Stouffville Spirit, a game which he felt his club could have won with better goalkeeping, might have taken some of the wind out of the team's sails and set the tone for the disappointing weekend. "It (Friday's loss) was disappointing because we played well on Thursday. It was tough for the guys to come back. We were a completely different club on Friday than what we were on Thursday. It was as if we dumped everyone from Thursday's game and brought in a whole different crop of players. "On Saturday we were physically and mentally drained. It was a situation where we couldn't get anything going. There was no reason for the coaching staff to scream or yell." Other than that, Herrington is still searching for a remedy. "If we assess the team on what we did Friday and Saturday then we need 20 new players because there wasn't anybody that you could look to and say 'well, he was the major difference either good or bad.'"
About the only noticeable shortcomings that Herrington saw in the two losses was the absence of solid goalkeeping. Herrington hinted some changes could be forthcoming in this area if things continue to go sour. "It's a big concern," Herrington said of his goaltending concerns. "Everybody played awful for two nights. Unfortunately with our goalkeeping when they go in goal they have to accept a little bit of responsibility." As well, Herrington noted his club is failing to execute some of the little things which can take a team a long ways. "On Friday and Saturday we didn't do any of the small things right that we did earlier on in the year." Although the club is in a bit of a lull, Herrington refuses to hit the panic button. "We're confident with the group that we have and that they will get the job done. It's up to the team to turn things around." In Friday's game, the Waxers took a 2-1 first-period lead on goals by James Regan and Robert Burrows. Andy Schofield scored his first goal as a member of the Waxers in the second period to enable Markham to maintain a one-goal lead at 3-2. But the Rangers scored two unanswered goals in the final frame to pick up the two points. On Saturday, Adam Doucette scored the lone Markham goal on a power play in the second period after the Waxers trailed 3-0 through 20 minutes. The Waxers were to have played a game tomorrow in Oshawa. However, the contest was rescheduled for Jan. 25. The Waxers will set out to end their losing ways this Friday when they host the south conference-leading Wexford Raiders at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the Waxers make a return visit to Thornhill at 7:30 p.m. before resuming play in January.
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