The Markham Waxers U18AAA team are celebrating after capturing the Ontario Minor Hockey Association U18 AAA Championship.
A Fantastic achievement for the players, coaches, and supporters after a hard-fought season.
Congratulations to the entire team!!
The Markham Waxers and North Shore Whitecaps needed overtime to determine who would win #RedHats at the OMHA U18 AAA Championships presented by Egg Farmers Ontario, with the Waxers earning the gold medal in a 3-2 victory.
Gavin Whiston scored the overtime winner less than a minute into the extra frame and Lucas Carpino backstopped the Waxers to victory.
“I put the puck towards the net, saw it hit the back of the net, and just started throwing my gloves and helmet. It was unreal,” said Whiston.
This marks a three-peat of #RedHats for the U18 AAA Waxers, and a rematch of last year’s finals. It is the first three-peat at the U18 AAA level in 15 years.
The Waxers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the Whitecaps answered with two goals of their own. Justin Anselmo tied the game in the third period.
Netminder Lucas Carpino, one of a handful of Waxers who won #RedHats last season on the U18 AAA team, says last year’s game helped calm him down.
“The atmosphere, playing in the big crowd, it was nice to get that experience before,” he said.
Markham finished with a 1-1-1 record in pool play, while North Shore finished 2-0-1.
In the semis, the Whitecaps beat Ajax-Pickering and the Waxers defeated Burlington.
“Resiliency is the word you want to look at,” said head coach Dan Daoust. “This team here has been a good third period team. I’m proud for the boys.”