..FROM THE DESK OF MIKE HAYAKAWA..
OCTOBER 30, 2002
In most instances claiming three of a possible four points would be deemed a satisfactory accomplishment for any hockey team. But in the case of the Markham Waxers, earning three points after playing two Provincial Junior A Hockey League contests last Friday and Monday, wasnıt acceptable.

Coming off an impressive 7-1 win over the visiting Newmarket Hurricanes last Friday, the Waxers ventured to Vaughan on Monday and came out on the short end of a 6-5 overtime loss to the Vipers.

If there was any consolation in the loss, which ended a five-game undefeated streak, the Waxers claimed one point and seized hold of first place in the south conference standings with a 10-4-3-1 mark. This puts them one point ahead of the second-place Wexford Raiders, who have two games in hand.

"We should have had two points," lamented Waxers head coach Russ Herrington after Mondayıs debacle. "We played poorly and Vaughan took it to us." What irritated Herrington was his club's performance in the third period, which saw the Waxers squander a 4-3 lead into a 5-4 deficit.

While the Waxers exhibited some character in tying the game with 56 seconds left on a goal by Pat Porretta after goalie Anthony Guadagnolo was pulled in favour of an extra attacker, they couldnıt solve the problems caused by the Vipers' duo of Anthony Minicucci and Roger Kim.
Collectively, the pair were in on each of the Vipers' goals, including one by Minicucci, a former member of the Stouffville Spirit, with 1:33 left in overtime.

Herrington acknowledged his club will have to keep a closer watch on the pair when the same two teams return to Centennial Arena tomorrow for a rematch at 8 p.m.

"I think the five guys on the ice have to realize who they're playing against. They have to have more accountability when that happens. Itıs a challenge," he said.

Aaron Buckstein, Liam Bowen, Rainor Guminny and Jamie Wright, on a power-play, added the other goals for the Waxers, who played the game without the services of veteran defenceman Albert Ferrante (sitting out a one-game suspension) and rookie forwards Ryan Olidis and Daniel Torres (out day-to-day with injuries).

What was even more puzzling to Herrington was the complete reversal of form his club displayed after playing one of their better games of the year to date in Fridayıs win over the Hurricanes.

"We got better as the game went on (in Friday's win) as opposed to (Mondayıs game). I thought we outhustled (the Hurricanes), we played well in our own end and we limited their chances," cited Herrington.
In that game, Juaquin Chavara, Mark Menonte and Ryan Steane each scored twice for the Waxers, who led 2-0 after the first period and 5-1 after two. Bowen added the other goal.

After tomorrow's game against the Vipers the Waxers will go on the road Sunday to face the Couchiching Terriers at 2 p.m.

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