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WAXERS PLAYING WELL IN
PRESEASON On Wednesday, the Waxers posted their second shutout in three exhibition tilts with a 4-0 win against the Wexford Raiders at Centennial Arena. "Two shutouts in the preseason is unusual," acknowledged Waxers head coach Russ Herrington. "Preseason games are usually scores like 9-7 or 10-8. But I'm happy with the way the guys are taking pride in their own end. That's the first step in becoming a good hockey club." After a scoreless opening frame, the Waxers jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes on goals by Bryan Lachapelle and Daniel Sisca. Shorthanded markers by Brett Barrer and Ian Malcolm in the final stanza rounded out the scoring for the Waxers, now 3-0 in preseason play. Mike Lee made an auspicious debut in goal for the Waxers as he handled 23 shots to record the shutout. A native of Buffalo, New York, the 19-year-old Lee was picked up by the Waxers earlier in the week. A brother-in-law of Tampa Bay Lightning goalkeeper Darren Puppa, Lee sat out last year after recovering from an auto accident. Judging by the way Lee played between the pipes, Herrington felt he did not look out of place. "He made a lot of good saves, especially in the second and third period. He played solid for a guy that had not played in over a year. He didn't look overly rusty," observed Herrington. At the same time, Herrington was quick to sing the praises of his penalty killing units. "I think that (penalty killing) was the key. We were playing five on three twice and we killed of a major in the third period," noted Herrington, who utilized a variety of players on his special teams throughout the game. TOMPKINS RETURNS TO THE WAXERS The 19-year-old right winger attended the Owen Sound Platers' training camp last weekend, but stayed with the Ontario Hockey League team for just 48 hours. That's the maximum amount of time a player can spend with an OHL team if he does not want to jeopardize his amateur status. Herrington revealed that Tompkins is aiming for a college hockey scholarship in the U.S. "We would have supported him either way. But I'm glad he made the decision he did. He likes playing in Markham and he's going after a scholarship," said Herrington of Tompkins, who amassed seven goals and fourteen assists in fourty-four games last season. With Tompkins back in the fold, Herrington intends to give him plenty of ice time.
"Tompkins will play every night and he will definitely be one of our starting 12 (forwards)," confirmed Herrington. "With his experience and ability he'll get extra playing time on the power play and penalty killing. We expect him to be with our more offensively producing line," he added. The Waxers also added another forward to its roster in Ben Buxton. The 19-yar-old Marysville, Ont. native split time last season with the Cobourg Cougars and Colborne Junior Cs last season. "He skated with us the last two or three weeks and he plays either the left or right side and can play a little centre," noted Herrington.
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