Waxers Hang On, Win Playoff Opener 5-4

Waxers Hang On, Win Playoff Opener 5-4

(Feb.10.07) The Markham Waxers made things interesting last night, blowing a 3-0 second period lead over the Durham Fury. Even with a hat trick from Mike Scheu, they still needed a crucial goal from Corey Tamblyn late in the third period to pull out the victory.

     The Waxers got off to a quick start. At 2:50 of the first period, JoJo Bojanowski scored, redirecting a deft feed from Corey Tamblyn who had fought hard along the boards to come up with the puck. That got the playoff crowd into the game and when Mike Scheu scored on the power play, at 8:58, assisted by JoJo Bojanowski and David Kostuch, the Waxers looked like the dominant team.

     At 2:09 of the second period, Mike Scheu scored his second goal of the game, again on the power play, with assists from David Kostuch and Cody Hamilton, and the Waxers were up 3-0.

     But Durham fought back. With Jason Beattie in the penalty box for interference, the Fury’s Trevor McKinney scored at 6:11, from Michael Markovic and Chris Tanev. With the help of a couple of Waxer breakdowns, Durham’s Paul Pascuzzi then scored consecutive goals, a minute apart. Durham had tied the score, and sent a gasp through the home crowd. Pascuzzi’s first goal, at 14:10, was assisted by Fury captain Stephen Foston; the second, at 15:09, drew assists from David Johnson and Steven Koufis.

     A late power play goal by Mike Scheu, assisted by Mark Cornacchia and Cody Hamilton, completing the hat trick, settled things down a bit and the Waxers took a 4-3 lead into the third period.

photo by Mike Tillaart

Waxers David Kostuch (71) and Daniel Torres (46)
combine on a Durham sandwich.

Corey Tamblyn

With Waxers captain Daniel Torres in the penalty box for interference, however, Durham tied the score again at 8:26, a goal by Rob Kay, with assists from Trevor McKinney and Michael Markovic.

Later in the period, the Waxers had a golden opportunity to retake the lead, enjoying a two-man advantage for 45 seconds, but were unable to capitalize. The man advantage was then lost when Torres took another penalty, a whack at the goalie’s chest protector to try to dislodge the puck assessed as slashing by the referee. It was during the ensuing four on four that Corey Tamblyn came through with his late game heroics, deflecting a well placed wrist shot by Paul McMullen from inside the blue line. Cameron Gaunce also drew an assist on the play.

Mike Scheu

     Markham protected the lead well, often keeping Durham bottled up in their own end in the last two minutes and unable to get a sixth attacker into the game for any extended period.

     After the game, Markham coach Rick Cornacchia was clearly not happy with the mental lapses that cost his team goals.

     “We got a little complacent. We stopped doing the little things that we were doing right, over a period and a half, to put us up 3-0. It’s like we thought the game was over, and the game wasn’t over, obviously.”

     He pinpointed some of the mistakes he felt his players had made: “high risk passes through the middle, guys pinching when they shouldn’t be.”

     “But, you know what, it was a good character win. They (Durham) tied it twice. We came back and found a way to win, and that’s what it’s all about, finding a way to win.”

     Mike Scheu, despite the three goals, deflected credit to his line mates and power play partners.

     “I really didn’t have to do much. They put the puck on my tape and I just found the net.”

     I asked him what could be learned from Durham’s surprising comeback tonight.

     “Now we know they can play with us, they can steal a game from us. So we have to come out with more intensity right off the bat.”

Elaine and Bun Baker,
Waxers fans for over 20 years

Waxer Mike Scheu's Mom and Dad,
Patricia and Mike Scheu

     On his game winning goal, Corey Tamblyn gave teammate Paul McMullen credit for a well placed shot, “a good draw”, as he described it, that he was able to tip in the air.

      Although Markham finished well above Durham in the regular season standings, Tamblyn gives the Fury full marks as a team.

     “They’re a good team. They go a hundred per cent, they don’t stop till the final buzzer. They’re pretty skilled. You have to watch out for them.”

      So, the scene is set for a great playoff series. The Waxers travel to Oshawa for Game 2 on Sunday evening, starting at 7:15 at GM Centre. Game Three is also in Oshawa, at Durham College Campus Arena on Tuesday evening, and then the Waxers will be home to the Fury for Games 4 and 5, on Thursday, February 15 and Friday February 16, at Markham Centennial Community Centre, 8600 McCowan Rd.


Ed Shanks, father of Waxers' Dean Shanks	Waxers Fan Anthony Quinlan

For Christopher, Marvin, Megan and Carla Davison rooting for the Waxers is a family affair

Grant Weaver