..FROM THE DESK OF MIKE HAYAKAWA..
FEBRUARY 10, 2003
Mark Menonte feels it's a special honour to be named captain of this year's Markham Waxers junior A hockey club. In having the C sewn on his blue and white uniform, the 20-year-old Woodbridge resident acknowledged it entails more than just showing up at the rink to suit up and play.

To date, the added responsibilities of leading the team on and off the ice hasn't placed any extra burdens on him. He appears to thrive on the responsibilities bestowed upon him.

In last Friday's first-round, best-of-seven Provincial Junior A Hockey League playoff encounter against the visiting Thornhill Rattlers, the Waxers captain delivered a second-period power-play goal and added three assists to direct Markham to a 6-1 win.

Although Menonte was held off the scoresheet in Saturday's 6-4 road win, his presence helped the club take a commanding three games to nothing lead in the series, which could conclude Thursday when the two teams play at Centennial Arena at 7 p.m.

"To be named captain is to try and be the best that I can be," said Menonte, who currently has two goals and four assists in the postseason and was the third-highest scorer during the regular season for the Waxers with 23 goals and 36 assists. "To be a good leader the guys have to see that I come to play every night. To be one of the leaders is a great feeling and it means a big deal to me."

Coming to the Waxers from the Richmond Hill Stars AAA midget team that went to the Air Canada Cup, Menonte acknowledged he wasn't exactly fulfilling his duties, especially on the ice when the regular season began. This, he blames, was on a lack of on-the-ice conditioning during the offseason due to work commitments.

But with the season well under way, he feels his game is getting to the point where it should be.

"It's taken time for me to get into shape. But things are really starting to come together," said Menonte, who currently plays on a line with veterans Pat Porretta and Tony Rossi.

Waxers head coach Russ Herrington points out that one of Menonte's strengths is his sense of timing.

"He played really well on both (Friday and Saturday). But he has a good sense of when to take over a game. He shows up for the big games." In Friday's game, which was a far tamer affair than Thursday's penalty-filled opener, Liam Bowen scored two power-play goals for the Waxers, who led 2-1 after one period and erupted for four unanswered second-period markers. Daniel Torres, Ryan Steane, Menonte, on a power-play, and Rossi added singles.

On Saturday, Andrew Dias recorded his first three-goal game for the Waxers, who trailed 1-0 after one period before rallying to even the count through 40 minutes at 2-2. Kevin Cribari, Ryan Olidis and Bowen added singles. Rookie Anthony Guadagnolo made his postseason debut between the pipes for the Waxers.

Herrington couldn't be happier with the way the series has unfolded. "It's going the way we wanted it to go. We wanted a sweep. Now we've just got to seal the deal," said Herrington, who feels his club is beginning to revert to their early-season form that enabled them to occupy first place in the south conference for most of the season.

On a separate note, the Waxers could have their lineup bolstered with the possible return of veteran defenceman Michael Diamond and forward Jason Duffy, who are both nursing injuries.

Copyright © 1998 - 2005, Savolainen.Com Inc. and Restoration Environmental Contractors.
All rights reserved.
Don Bremner and Restoration Environmental Contractors were the proud owners of the
Markham Waxers Junior "A" Hockey Club from 1994 - June 17, 2005.
Proud to continue as Sponsors.