By Jake Dobson "Voice of the Saints"
Newmarket too strong for Markham
Newmarket improves to 7 - 2 tonight, improving their home record to 4 - 1. A strong first period and a dominating third period more than made up for some second period struggles. Adam “Mayhem” Miles was strong between the pipes to earn his third consecutive victory. The captain lead his team offensively, as “Primetime” Patty Lee lead the way with seven points and was named the player of the game.
Finally the Saints had a strong first period at home. A team that has been a slow starter all year got on track early and left the first period with a 4 - 1 lead. Newmarket got two goals each from Chad Howson and Patty Lee in the opening period.
Markham responded in the second period and the Saints lead was cut to 6 - 4 after two. Mayhem made several terrific saves in the second to keep his team in the lead. The Saints did manage two goals in the period thanks to Taylor Geoffrey and Patty Lee completing the hat trick.
In the third Newmarket established themselves and took control. They finished the game with a 4 - 1 period, just as they started it. It was clear in the third that the Saints were the better team. The Saints forced turnovers, back checked hard and were more physical than the other guys. Donato, Beer, Levick and Masson did the damage in the third for the Saints.
The Saints will hit the halfway point of the regular season this Saturday night in Huntsville (0 -9) when they take on the last place Hawks. The boys will have to bring a much stronger effort than they did in a narrow 11 - 10 win on May 13.
The bus will be coming right home after the game as the Saints will host Nepean (6-4) on Sunday at 3pm at the Ray Twinney Complex.
Game Notes:
Patty Lee’s buzzer beater in the first period was an absolute snipe.
“Captain” Kirk Nodello won a decisive victory when he pummelled Mark Farthing who earlier clipped Kirk with a cheap slash.
Ryan Besse was the penalty kill specialist tonight when he burned over 45 seconds of a major penalty and all the Ironheads could do was watch.
I didn’t see who did it, but #12 on Markham got laid out in the third with a booming check.
Adam Miles now sits third in GAA in the East Conference.
Injury Update: Logan Hurst hopes to be back Saturday night in Huntsville as he continues to recover from a broken hand .
