For the first time in seven games the visiting team was victorious, and what time for Markham to win in Wexford as, by virtue of a 3-2 victory, the Markham Waxers are the 2003 OPJAHL South Division Champions.  A terrific series went to the limit and the final game was one of the best games played all year at any level.  End to end action that was highlighted by awesome goaltending and near flawless officiating.  For the Waxers, the defeat of the reigning champion Raiders represents Markham's first division title in over 20 years!

Markham got on the board first when they scored just past the halfway mark of the first period.  Stephen Wong and Nathaniel Brooks applied the pressure down low and after a Mike Diamond point shot was stopped by the Raider netminder, Daniel Torres pounced on the rebound and buried it for the 1-0 lead.  The period would end at that score with the two teams both firing 12 shots a piece.  

Wexford scored the opening two goals of the second period period, the first just 9 minutes in and the second with 4:28 left on the clock.  Markham would tie the score with a power play goal just 1:04 after the Raiders took the lead.  Almost immediately off the draw, Mark Menonte got the puck back to Jamie Wright and he fired a low shot on net which was stopped.  Menonte, and Tony Rossi both had whacks at the puck as did Liam Bowen who finally drove the puck home on the third rebound to tie the game and set up what might have been the most exciting third period of hockey played in the South Division this season. 

Wexford took the play to the Waxers in the opening minutes of the period but Scott Gray stood tall in the Waxers net.  In particular, a breakaway save by Gray near the midway point of the period turned the tide for the Waxers and they never looked back.  Peppering the Raider net with shots, the Waxers finally broke through with just 4:45 left in regulation.  Streaking up the ice, Ryan Steane and Bowen combined to get the puck to Kevin Cribari on the right wing.  After his first shot was blocked by the defenceman, the puck came right back to Cribari's stick and he fired in to the net for the series winning goal before the goalie could react to what had happened.  Wexford tried valiantly to get the equalizer but the Waxers did a superb job of playing solid in their own end, keeping the shots to bad angles, getting to rebounds and blocking shots.  In one sequence, Pat Porretta and Rossi blocked consecutive point shots and negated what would amount to be the last Raider threat of the year.

Of special note, the Waxers would like to dedicate this win to their Owner and President Don Bremner.  Without his tireless and unwavering support there would be no Waxers and the players, staff and volunteers associated with the team were thrilled to be able to present Mr Bremner with the Championship Trophy after the game.

G A M E   S T A T I S T I C S

No.

 G

A

PTS

PIM

PPG

SHG

GWG

TOTALS