Closing the gap

Dukes must find a way to convert strong performances into wins

It was over in a few seconds. Thirty minutes of hard work and tenacity erased in 36 seconds. The Wellington Dukes had played well. Better than that, they had dominated the visiting Golden Hawks at home through the first period—at one point outshooting the league-leaders 12-6. The Dukes were faster, smarter and working harder underneath the Golden Hawk defence to create scoring chances. Sadly none of these translated into goals.

Trenton’s squad were instructed between periods to come out in the second period with the goal of slowing down the speedier Dukes—particularly, but not exclusively, the top line of Nic Mucci, Brayden Stortz and newly acquired winger Rory Milne. That meant interference, hooking and some straight up tackling. Old-time hockey.

Before the puck dropped for each face-off, Golden Hawk sticks were threaded into the skates or between the legs of the Dukes’ wingers. The refs stayed out of it. When Wellington set up in the Trenton zone, the Dukes forwards stationed in front of the opposing goalie were hacked as though they were mighty oaks. But that’s hockey. That is hard-nosed, competitive hockey. It’s just that the Dukes don’t have an answer for that kind of play— relying instead on the rules. And on referees to call infractions. There are no bruising forwards in this lineup to whom Wellington may turn.

Dukes netminder Connor Ryckman had played well on Friday night, but allowed a shot he had stopped to trickle through him and into the net early in the second period. It was a lapse made more painful by the fact that the Dukes had, just moments earlier, come up empty after its second power play advantage of the game. Still, it was just one goal. The hometown crowd was still behind them; the Dukes pushed for the equalizer.

But they couldn’t sustain the pressure. Midway through the second, Wellington eased off (were pushed off) their defensive assignments. Suddenly, the Golden Hawks had a more room to manoeuvre. Bang. Trenton was up by two goals. Thirty-six seconds later, Trenton forward Jordan Chard was allowed intimate and unfettered access to Ryckman’s crease. His linemate found him with a terse pass that Chard simply redirected up and over the Dukes netminder.

It was over. They had outplayed the visiting Golden Hawks, but the Dukes were trailing 3-0. Mitchell Martan scored a moment later, and it seemed for a bit as though Wellington might wrestle this game back into contention. But it was too far, the hurdle too high.

The Golden Hawks are too well coached. They simply tightened up their neutral zone play, intensified the pressure on the forecheck and wore down the Dukes—who were becoming increasingly frustrated with their fate in this game. Another in the column of games they should have won.

DUKES 7 – LINDSAY 2
It was happier story in Lindsay. Brent House scored a power play goal just 98 seconds into the game on Sunday afternoon in Muskieland. The Dukes kept scoring until it was 4-0. Stortz on the power play. Mucci shorthanded. Kyle Prendel, even strength. Midway through the second period, a familiar defensive lull set in among the Dukes and resulted in a pair of Lindsay goals. But in the third, the Dukes came back with fire in their bellies. Mucci scored two more for the hat trick. Austin Labelle rounded out the scoring for Wellington—his second goal on the season. Mitchell Mendonca assisted on four of the Dukes’ goals.

The visit to the Kawarthas was a much-needed restorative for the Dukes—who are better than their record indicates. Improving this means compiling victories against lower ranked teams.

That brings us to the Panthers.

UP NEXT: PICKERING
In a rare quirk of the schedule, the Dukes play just one game this week—taking on the Pickering Panthers on Friday night in Wellington. Pickering is a woeful team—just five wins in 28 games. One of those wins, however, was earned against the Dukes in mid-October. Sixteen-year-old Cameron Lamour had just returned from a stint with the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL. Lamour started that game, but proceeded to allow three goals on the first seven shots he faced. Ryckman took over, but the Dukes were unable, despite a vigorous attempt, to climb out of the hole that had been dug. The Dukes ceded this game 5-3.

Wellington won’t make this mistake again. It is awfully early in the season for a team to play for pride—Pickering has already traded away their best player, Tiger McDonald—but that is likely the Panther team the Dukes will face on Friday.

A decisive Dukes win is much needed.