Report to follow..

The World Junior final took a big bite out of the crowd tonight but there was lots of excitement at the Dave as the Wings tied the game up with just 3.8 seconds left in the third on a powerplay/empty net goal by Brent McGrail. Bryan Potts scored an unbelievable goal in the shootout to give Markham the 6-5 victory.

Hamilton took a two to one lead in the first as Brent McGrail found Bruce Crawford at the side of the net and he bundled the puck past Chris Azzano. Shane Ferguson tied the game depositing a cross-ice pass past Wings' callup goalie Daniel Rameriez. Anthony Ruberto tabbed his 20th. on a spinorama move after Mike Ball had set up the paly from the blueline. At the thirteen minute mark Markham looked sure to tie it again as Potts and Giancarlo Iuorio had a two on nothing from centre ice but Rameriez turned them back with help from the goalpost.

The second frame belonged to Potts as the Niagara Falls native scored his 30th.,31st. and 32nd. goals of the season. He tied the game early as he took a cross ice pass and one-timed the puck home. Less than two minutes later Ferguson walked through an admiring Wings' defence to put the Waxers ahead 3-2. Two minutes later it was a two-goal advantage as on a powerplay Potts tipped a pass between his own legs and in. Nathan Pageau got his 38th. putting a Ruberto pass through Azzano's pads from close in to make it 4-3 Waxers. Potts tabbed his third of the period just after the halfway mark as Iuorio's hard shot felled defenceman Brendan Schwartz and Potts gave Rameriez no chance on a big rebound. Less than two minutes later Crawford got his eleventh as a Red Wing finding a gap in the pads of Azzano. Daniel Jones came into the net for the visitors at this point. 5-4 Markham after two.

As often happens after a high-scoring period both clubs seemed more committed to playing more defensive hockey in a well-played third period and as a result it looked very much like it would be scoreless. There was lots of good action and some fine saves from both goalies. A hooking penalty to Iuorio set up a powerplay for Hamilton but they could not get in top gear and as the fans were starting to move from their seats a last desperate effort from Crawford was picked up and punched home by McGrail to force the overtime.

Both teams had good chance during the extra five minutes but no goals to show and off to the shootout. Iuorio hit the goalpost with the first try for the Waxers. McGrail, the last second hero, missed on his try. Potts then put on some fancy moves for a beautiful goal to give the Waxers the lead. The coach then elected to go with Tim Revell for the second Wings shot which was saved by Jones. Ferguson's effort was stopped by Rameriez and it was Josh Dadic, selected for the third try, who had to score to prolong it for the Wings but Jones said no and the visitors got the extra point which might well be vital as the season winds down.

Joey Diamond took the warm-up for the Wings but did not play. Josh McQuade was serving a suspension. Dillon Branco did not dress (injured) niether did Luke Watson. The Wings had three forward lines- Tim Revell with Ruberto and Pageau; McGrail with Crawford and Dadic and the Captain with the kids- Josh Vella with Noah Schwartz and Zach Hyman.

The Wings are now tied with the Dukes in top spot with 52 points.

ya great game to watch tonight, i liked the line of vella tonight, had many chances worked well in the opposing zone, also thought vella and schwartz worked well together but couldn't put the puck in the net tonight.

but the line that impressed me the most today was the potts line once again, dominating play

Crawford's line looked dominant in the game on the internet. If he is getting back to his old form with McGrail look out!

this game was A lot more entertaining than staying home to watch the other guys on TV.

How do you know?

Offence-wise the three lines played pretty well together last night..McGrail, Crawford and Dadic I think should be kept together and Vella and the rookies were skating hard all night. Revell with Pageau and Ruberto seemed to click as well. Now add to that McQuade, Diamond and Watson and then what? Well how about this..

McGrail with Crawford and Dadic
Vella with Hyman and Schwartz
Ruberto with Pageau and McQuade
Revell with Watson and Diamond

However if the Wings are really looking at a good long playoff run defensive lapses like last night's second period cannot continue to happen.

Wings have been hit with flu bug and injuries. I look for them to rebound back hard in playoffs. hate to be the team facing them first round!

What do you think Ron?

In a post awhile ago I mentioned that I had forewarned my nephew to expect us the first week in May as the Royal Bank Cup is being held in an arena in Victoria right at the end of his street. My confidence level now is not quite as high. With Diamond, McQuade and Pageau leading the way it seemed that explosive offence could carry the day in most games. Now with the first two missing several games and newly-acquired goalie Dillon Branco getting, according to the Mountain News, an MRI on his knee my position has changed somewhat. McQuade will be available in St. Mike's Sunday, Diamond gave it a try in the warmups Monday night but did not play and possibly the worst setback would be a long time off for Branco. I don't know if the Wings have any cards left or if so how many they have, several 'sources' on the Forum have come up with different numbers, but if they do they really some help on defence if they consider series against teams like Oakville, Georgetown, Couchiching or Huntsville to mention but four teams who have much more stellar defensive acumen than the Red Wings. Missing key players usually would give the chance to some of the 'lesser lights' to stand up and be counted but in general this has not happened. First, putting an end to the three-game losing streak tonight in StouFFville is vital and then hopefully to build on that result with everybody fit and positive to start the playoffs. Having only seen one non-Central game this season it is hard for me to say how they will stack up against opposition from the other Divisions but I am still a believer. Go Wings!!