Markham Edges St. Mikes 5-4, Takes Series Lead

A sprawling Waxers goalie Matt Hansell reaches for a loose puck
while defencemen Miles Cope (44) and Cody Hamilton (96) protect the crease

photos by Mike Tillaart

(Feb.24.07)     The Markham Waxers took a 5-2 lead in the third period and then held off a late rally by the St. Michael’s Buzzers to preserve a 5-4 victory Friday evening in the opening game of their second round playoff series.

     Just when the Waxers seemed to have the game in hand, enjoying a three goal lead late in the third period in front of their home fans at Markham Centennial Arena, the Buzzers took advantage of a Dean Shanks interference penalty and capitalized on the power play at 18:22, Tyler Forbes scoring, with assists from Brendan Smith and Matthew Clune.

     At 19:23 things got into white knuckle territory when St. Mike’s, their goalie pulled in favour of an extra attacker, got another goal, this time from Louie Caporusso, assists going to Tyler Kelloway and, once again, Matthew Clune. Controversy added to the drama as Waxers goalie Matt Hansell appeared to have control of the puck. The referee, however, ruled that it had crossed the goal line.

      It is no surprise that a playoff game between these two teams would go down to the wire, the second place Buzzers finishing the regular season only nine points ahead of third place Markham. Although the Waxers have now taken the lead in the series, this promises to be a much tougher matchup than the four-game sweep they registered in the first round against the Durham Fury.

     Last night’s first period ended scoreless, but gave a clue to the excitement ahead. Both teams generated scoring chances and their goalies came up with big saves.

     The second period saw the Waxers take the lead three times, with the Buzzers coming back twice to tie the score.

Giancarlo Iuorio (17) is congratulated on a goal
by Miles Cope and Mark Cornacchia

JoJo Bojanowski got the Waxers on the board first, with a goal at 12:20 from Cody Hamilton and Claudio Cowdrey. Less than two minutes later, however, with Waxers’ Cameron Gaunce in the penalty box for cross checking, St. Michael’s Andrew Rygiel evened things up again, scoring from Louie Caporusso and Matthew Clune.

At 16:43, Markham’s big scoring line went to work and produced one of the night’s prettiest goals. David Kostuch made a great pass to Daniel Torres who faked a shot and then slid it over to Mike Scheu who buried it with a great shot.


JoJo Bojanowski	Mike Scheu	David Kostuch

     That lead also lasted less than two minutes, the Buzzers scoring at 17:50, Andrew Rygiel potting his second goal of the game from Louie Caporusso and Richard Ryan.

     Twenty-four seconds later, things seesawed back in the Waxers’ favour when Giancarlo Iuorio scored, firing a rocket to the top corner of the net, the assist going to Mark Cornacchia. The second period ended with the Waxers up 3-2.

     In the third period, Giancarlo Iuorio got his second of the night, unassisted, at 7:40 when he picked off an errant St. Michael’s pass.

     At 12:00, David Kostuch netted one with assists from linemates Mike Scheu and Daniel Torres. Scheu did great work on the play, protecting the puck along the boards and then walking out to make a nice pass to Kostuch. The Waxers looked to have this one in the bag. But that was before the late period dramatics earlier described!

      The Waxers prevented any further damage in the final 37 seconds and sealed the victory.

      All five Waxers goals were scored at even strength, the power play held scoreless in five opportunities.

      With an opening game victory under their belts, the Waxers travel to St. Michael’s Arena on Sunday, February 25 for game two, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Coach Rick Cornacchia gives instructions
in the final two nail biting minutes

Grant Weaver