The Newmarket Saints needed overtime but eventually got the win tonight at the Ray Twinney Complex. The Saints were lethargic throughout regulation time and allowed a smaller, less skilled Markham team to take them to overtime. The Saints turned it on in overtime and would not allow Markham even one goal while scoring three themselves. Brock “The Lazer” Levick scored the game winning goal while Jake Donato and Shawn Beer scored in OT as well. Newmarket was lucky to win tonight as they were not the harder working team, something that will need to be remedied with only two games remaining in the regular season. While Newmarket has clinched a playoff berth, their ranking is far from decided. Newmarket will not get away with such a poor effort again as their remaining opponents are the first place Green Gaels and the second place Barrie Tornado. The Saints did not start very fast but managed a 2 - 0 first period lead. Immediately it was obvious that Markham could not match Newmarket’s skill or toughness as the Saints knocked the Ironheads off of several balls and dictated the play when they felt like it. Markham kept hanging around on the back of their eventual player of the game goaltender Brayden Wilson. Both first period goals were scored by Shawn Beer and assisted by Patty Lee and Jake Donato.
In the second the Saints lack of energy really cost them as Markham scored three times to take the lead. The Saints were able to tie the game late in the period to go into the break tied at three. Newmarket Head Coach Todd Wilfong could be heard throughout the arena as he demanded more out of his offense. At this point it was obvious that the Saints players were not matching the intensity of their opponent and for the first time all season it looked like the Saints may lose to an inferior opponent.
In the third period the crowd heated up and fans from both teams were really into the game. The teams traded a pair of goals in the frame to finish regulation tied at 5. With about five minutes to go in regulation the Saints had finally had enough and put up a brick wall on defense. Markham did hit one post but Jordan Rothery and his defenders did an excellent job of shutting down the Ironheads when it counted the most.
In overtime the Saints lost the opening faceoff and Markham went to the attack first. Rothery came up huge and the Saints finally got settled in on offense. Patty Lee ran the show as he always does and set up Newmarket’s most important goals. Patty contributed with 6 assists in the game and now leads all of JR B Lacrosse in assists and is now second in overall scoring. The defense stood strong for ten more minutes and the victory was sealed. The Saints probably aren’t too proud of this one, but in the end they took the two points. Markham has only seven points but has played hard and will be a bigger factor in the Mid East standings next season.
The Saints hit the road Thursday night to take on the Green Gaels in Clarington. The Gaels are reeling from two weekend losses to Oakville and Barrie and Newmarket is going to want a huge piece of the team that just snuck out of the Complex with two points last week.
The final home game of the regular season in on Saturday night when Barrie comes to town.
GO SAINTS GO
