Vaughan was caught flat footed in the first period and the Waxers jumped on it. In the second Vaughan came out on fire and carried the play for the whole period. It looked as though it was inevitable that they would pull right back into the game, but Kyle Rank made the stops when he needed to and the Waxers did a great job of clearing the puck from the slot area. In the 3rd it was pretty much even, but the Waxers were able to pot two goals and take the game. It was a much more calm game tonight as Vaughan focussed on playing and did a lot less talking. However in the end it was a bad penalty that took the Vipers out of the game. On a play going towards the Waxers bench Martello decided to hit the Markham defender from behind driving him right into the net and thus leaving the Waxers on the PP for the rest of the game. I'm pretty certain that is a 2 game suspension for Mr.Martello.
Waxers played a solid game all around, but if I had to pick a best player it would be Kevin Hudes who potted two goals. He kept his cool tonight and had a real solid game. I think that speaks about the quality of coaching and the reflection that Kevin used regarding game 1.
One area the Waxers need to improve on is the second period. They seem to have brain cramps heading into that period and in both games the Vipers have taken the play to the Waxers. Also, defense first when you get into the playoffs. I am seeing too many fancy passes at the opponents blue line. Of course, the Waxers are up 2-0, so they can tell me to shut up with my pessimism all they want. Long as they never lose track of the idea that 4 games wins the series.
Had a great chat with a forum reader tonight from Aurora. Always nice to talk with knowledgeable fans from around the league and it sure distracts a passionate fan from stressing out over a playoff game.
They aren't exactly losing to a bunch of chumps.... Markham's a
damn good team! So far they seem to be able to keep the Vipers' big
guns in check... Rodrigues, Shirley with only 2 points each and MacQueen
with 1 point.
i hear vaughans room is a MESS. some players being treated like they can do no wrong. dont come to practice and when they do they dont work hard and the kids who never miss and work hard dont play. coach up to his usual verbal b.s. in the room . too many me s and not enough team. took the waxers too lightly. i said on this forum that i thought vaughan would win and that markham had the better coach. i was right on one!
lets be honest vaughan is done. martello will do time for his checking from behind major (sending a waxer hurtling in to the net and end boards) with a 2 game, no-buy-back suspension. vaughns coach's displeasure with martello's performance was on display for all to hear from the stands above the visitors dressing room. quite the commotion going on down below. one yelled comment was to the effect (expletives removed) to stay home and not bother showing up. i wonder if there was damage done down there it sounded very very loud.
the most penalized team (1628 PIMs) in the regular season cant muster the on-ice discipline to stay in a high-intensity playoff game. if they can pull that together they stand a chance in games 3 and 4. otherwise its as good as done. tons of talent. no discipline. bottom line. its just possible that having martello off "at home" for a couple of games might just help focus the discipline. then again, when the coach goes off the ice engaging in verbal judo with markham's murray free..well then that just shows the example is not a good one.
speaking of Free. being the second-in-line to the tough guy throne has to be tough being leashed up. he was challeneged to fight near the end of the third period by vipers captain marchese. no deal and probably smart. the number one 'tough guy' on markham continues to sit in the stands for the playoffs - steven harding last saw action on feb 8 vs north york where he was served with an instigator penalty, his 2nd this year (previous one in the line/bench brawl between port hope and lindsay). he should have been eligible to play with the start of this series but perhaps markham thinks he's more of liabilty with penalty minutes than he is in scoring action for his team. i loved the look of the skates that Free had on tho, I must admit. Really stood out from the rest of the Waxers. I assume they are Gennies-issued. organizationally markham looks to be struggling though. more than one player had their numbers taped on to their backs with clear tape. needles and thread shouldnt break the bank. or will it considering the low turnout for what should be a well-attended, good series. that has to a pinch on the markham pocketbook.
A Leopard never changes it's spots, so why is everybody surprised at FC's behaviour and his players ie: Martello. It goes on every year at playoff time.
Murry sticks up for his teammates but he is not stupid. What would he gain in fighting at that point? He sent a message loud and clear in game one.
Thanks for the shot against the Waxers. Clearly it is distressing that they do not have their numbers threaded on. Who the hell goes to a hockey game and notices that? You sure enjoy stirring the pot no matter what category it covers.
Lastly, I have clearly not acted like a big enough homer and gone overboard talking about what a great team the Waxers are. I feel their actions on the ice speak louder than any letters I could put together. In the end though, I support the Waxers and I think they are a tredmendous team who is playing great. Vaughan's slow starts are not why the Waxers are leading in this series; it's just the reason why they have outscored the Vipers 13-4.
Hey i spread my review around on both teams. for all markhams effort it sure looks more and more like a discount operation every day. maybe the state of the arena build makes it feel worse than it is, maybe its something else altogether. i just really believe the players deserve to be treated well and taping digits or letters on with clear tape is less than house league would allow. fix it and respect the guys out on the ice. im sure the coach wouldnt want a tape-job whiteboard. lets not send the guys out with taped on digits. what's next - the "A's" and "C's" will be designed with white tape?
vaughan on the other hand is operating like a team thats sold out the series and has packed it up and everyone is moving on. can they put the room back together and get on track for game 3..? or will it be lights out at the AL on Wednesday?
I would be really surprised if Vaughan avoids being swept. Though Rodrigues' and Shirley's numbers for the season look impressive, they haven't exactly lit it up against the Waxers. There's a world of difference between scoring 2 points against Markham and 6 against Pickering or Durham.
Also, if in fact that dressing room is as fractured as mentioned above, motivation will be hard to come by.
ive been saying it all year and ill say it again you wont see rodrigues shirley or martello get any good stats in playoffs cause all they did all season long is run to the officials about their points. Vaughan is all about themselves. Its too bad because they wont stand a chance next year
Most of us are not privy to what goes on in dressing rooms. Often we hear one side of the story and often secondhand.
Priviledged treatment of some players may well be a common practice on a lot of teams.
Not that it makes it right but it simply is as common as Tommy Smothers' famous line "Mom always liked you better."
When you win, nobody cares. But when you lose, it often becomes the crutch for some who want an excuse outside of looking hard enough at themselves.
Now before you interpret this as a ringing endorsement for Vipers' head coach FC, it is no such thing.
When a team wins, its' coach's methods are often hardly ever challenged. It is assumed he knows what he's doing because winning is the ultimate.
Being down 2-0 in any best of seven series is not a pleasant position to be in.
But all the gabble about why they are where they are, diminishes the excellence of the teams who happen to be leading their respective series 2-0 right now.
Here's a hats off to the;
Markham Waxers
Wellington Dukes
St Michael's Buzzers
Georgetown Raiders
