The Markham Waxers eliminated the Pickering Panthers by breaking the homer advantage in their opening round series, winning in Pickering to end the series after 6 hard fought, exciting games.  Kudos for the Panthers for their part in what was far and away the best first round series in the South Division, as evidenced by the terrific crowds in both arenas over the 6 games.

Pickering jumped out to an early lead, scoring just 1:23 in to the game before the Waxers would tie it midway through the period.  Riley Hill fed the puck back to Kyle O'Boyle at the point and his low shot was neatly deflected by Daniel Torres for his 5th of the series at the 9:37 mark.  Pickering would use their lethal powerplay to take a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Markham came out and completely owned the second period, scoring twice to take a 3-2 lead in to the final period.  Brandon Rubeo  tied the score after taking a low cycle from Derrell Levy and spinning out of the corner rifling a shot past the goalie for his first of the series.  Riley Hill scored what was essentially a powerplay goal minutes later, roofing a rebound of a Stephen Kapolnas shot just seconds after the powerplay opportunity had ended (Josh Jacobs earned the second assist).

Pickering tied the score with a powerplay marker just 5:56 in to the third period before the Waxers would do the rest of the scoring for the series.  Killing off the tail end of a penalty, Levy and Shareef Labreche combined to clear the puck out of the zone as Brett Molnar stepped out of the box.  He waited until the opportune moment then fired the puck through a screen and in to the back of the net before the Panther goalie could react for the series winning goal.  Goalie Jeff Fischer stood tall down the stretch in the final 9 minutes stopping 12 shots in that span and the Waxers iced the game when James Gaulrapp repaid his brother by setting up a Joel Gaulrapp empty net goal.

G A M E   S T A T I S T I C S

No.

 G

A

PTS

PIM

PPG

SHG

GWG

TOTALS