The Wellington Dukes dropped a 5-2 decision in Cobourg on Monday night ending the team’s five-game winning streak. It was a disappointing end to an impressive run for the Dukes in recent weeks. Through this winning streak the Dukes had begun to develop a growing sense of confidence in their ability — and of what might be accomplished this season. It was a feeling fortified by the Dukes’ convincing 5-1 win over the powerful Markham Waxers on Sunday.

To understand the magnitude of this shift of outlook, one needs only look at the beginning of the season. Nine of the Dukes’ leading point-getters of last year’s squad had moved on: 489 points.

Though head coach and general manager would never describe the season as a rebuilding year, he made it clear this year’s Dukes would be a young team. And it has taken time for this team to find its identity. Strong in net and solid defensively, the team moved up the standings early in the season. Then after a blowout win at home against Ajax, the wheels fell off the bus. The Dukes lost the next five games straight.

But since then the Dukes have returned to first principles. Solid, responsible, structured hockey. Each player has accepted his role and vowed to contribute on every shift. With every win confidence in the system grows.

“I really enjoy it this year,” said Abrams. “They are like sponges — taking the messages in, and applying what we are trying to teach in games.”

Abrams has added key pieces along the way. Pat McEachen has been an exceptional addition to the Dukes’ blueline corps particularly quarterbacking the power play. Adam Zamec is providing stability and outstanding playmaking skills on the Dukes’ top line and Joe Zarbo looks like a smart player who could add scoring punch to the Dukes’ lineup.

The result has been a return to the team’s winning ways (6W-2L) and a solid grip on first place in the East Division.

For the first time this season, talk is turning to the playoffs and just how far this young team can go.

“We knew we had a lot of new faces coming into this season,” said Abrams. “But to their credit this team has really gelled together. They’ve had to work hard for every single game they’ve won this year. Nothing has come easy for this team—they’ve earned every win.”

Abrams believes there is still more that this team can accomplish.

“They are playing good hockey but we know there is another level to their play.”

He says the Dukes’ tradition and history is part of what puts this team on top each year.

“The biggest thing they needed to understand is how important it is to play for the Wellington Dukes — the reputation the team has. It took a while for some of the new guys to realize that when other teams beat us — it is a really big thing for them. It has taken a while for the stature of this club to sink in and the responsibility of playing here.”

JOE ZARBO

He first crossed Abrams’s radar two years ago in Vermont. Joe Zarbo was lighting it up with the Junior Bruins at the annual Woodchuck Classic tournament. But since then the rugged 18-year-old has struggled with some high profile teams in the USHL, the latest the Youngstown Phantoms.

“He is an offensive player who hasn’t had an offensive role, especially this year in Youngstown,” said Abrams. “We want him to come and provide some secondary scoring — something we’ve been lacking all year. We want him to loosen up a bit on the stick and get back to scoring goals the way we saw him play two years ago.

“He’s is smart player and making the adjustment to the smaller rink.”

BATTLE OF ONTARIO

Four Wellington Dukes players have been selected to play in the second annual Battle of Ontario set for Jan. 2 in Pembroke. Jordan Ruby, David Pratt, Pat McEachen and Jeremy Franklin have been named to the CCHL allstar roster. They will face the best from the Central Junior Hockey League in a single game.

The Dukes will have to play Orangeville the same night with a depleted line up. Gut check time.

LINDSAY MAKE-UP

The Dukes are making arrangements to host the Lindsay Muskies on either Jan 9. or 10 in a make-up game for a match cancelled a couple of weeks ago due to the threat of freezing rain.

NEXT UP: SEGUIN, ORANGEVILLE AND AJAX

The Dukes have headed home for a week’s break, then return to the action on Dec. 28 in Newmarket for a showcase tournament game against the Seguin Bruins before a host of university scouts. On Jan. 2 the Dukes travel to Orangeville.

On Sunday, Jan. 3 the Dukes return home for their final meeting against the Ajax Attack in regular season play.