Three and zero

Not as good as it looks

The Wellington Dukes rolled through the first weekend of the season, racking up three wins including a thrilling overtime win against the Kingston Voyageurs last Thursday night on the road.

Jordan Ruby was strong in the Dukes net from the first whistle, turning back the Vees’ early push. Ruby was ably assisted by the Dukes defence blocking shots and clearing the zone quickly. Soon the Duke’s had their legs beneath them. Rookie defenceman Michael Montford found the back of the net, weaving a shot through traffic. The Vees and Dukes would trade goals until Joe Zarbo put the Dukes out front with just four minutes left in the game.

Then, with just seconds left in the game, a scramble ensued in front of the Dukes’ net. The net came off its posts. But rather than issue a penalty, the ref called for a penalty shot. The Vees scored and tied the game. Overtime solved nothing. In the shootout, Joe Zarbo was the only shooter to score, sealing the win for the Dukes.

“I was really pleased with our preparation for Thursday’s game in Kingston,” said Marty Abrams, Dukes head coach and general manager. “I thought we were very professional in the way we handled things. There were moments particularly near the end of the game where another team might have let their emotions carry them away—but instead we redoubled our effort and took home the win. It was a good test.”

HOME OPENER

On Friday night the Dukes welcomed the St. Michael’s Buzzers to Wellington. St. Mike’s got on the board early on the power play, but the Dukes’ Zach Blake scored two power play goals to snatch the lead. The second period saw the Buzzers push back with a strong forecheck, but they couldn’t solve Jordan Ruby in net for the Dukes.

Just seconds into the third, Joe Zarbo sniped home an insurance goal. The Dukes then virtually locked the Buzzers out of their zone.

UNDESERVED WIN

On Sunday the Dukes made the return trip to St. Mike’s. The team racked up a 5-2 lead, with a pair of goals from Brian Bunnett, but nearly let the game slip away on a rash of “bad and stupid” penalties. Three times during the period the Dukes were forced to defend with a two-man disadvantage (five on three).

“We played very poorly from start to finish,” said Abrams. “It was likely our worst performance this season including exhibition. Ryan MacDonald essentially stole two points for us. We were in the penalty box almost the entire third period. We deserved to be there. It wasn’t the refereeing—we deserved it.

“We gave up a lot of shots over the weekend, and that is something that can’t continue. I am happy we are three and zero, but we were lucky.”

LEADERS

In the early going it has been the veterans leading the way on the scoreboard and on the ice.

“Zach Blake has put his three best games together since he became a Duke,” said Abrams. “Over the years he has struggled with consistency—but his last three games have been three of his best. He realizes now that as a 20 year old, we are looking to him to lead the way. Same goes for Sean Rudy and Joe Zarbo. These are our go-to guys now and they have handled it well.”

Abrams also noted the strong performance of his senior defence corps. “I really thought Curtis Leonard was phenomenal in all three games. In Kingston alone he blocked 15 shots himself—and I’m not exaggerating. He was absolutely outstanding all weekend. He killed so many penalties.

“So too was Brandon Macintosh and Brendon Barletta—these veteran defencemen have logged a lot of ice time early in the season. It is time for our younger guys to begin pulling their weight.”

This week the Dukes welcome defenceman Cole Murduff back to Wellington. Cole was released by the Peterborough Petes earlier this week. Murduff’s size and sure and steady presence on the back end will help solidify an already strong defensive squad.

“He’s the guy we want,” said Abrams. “We’ve been waiting for him. We need the fourth veteran defenceman.” Murduff is expected to be in the lineup on Friday at the DukeDome.

MOVES

Matt Beer has been traded to Pembroke Lumber Kings. The 20 year old was the odd man out as the Dukes have a wealth of talent on their forward lines.

Brock Edwards was traded this week to Carleton Place.

UP NEXT: VILLANOVA AND PICKERING

Villanova has five points in five games, winning two outright and one in overtime.

The Knights, according to Dukes statistician Dave Brown, first started out in Junior Hockey in 1980 and were known as the Henry Carr Crusaders. They have moved around quite a bit since then with many different names including the Weston Dukes from 1991-1993.

“After Weston, the team moved to Thornhill under various banners including the Islanders, Rattlers and Thunderbirds before becoming the Villanova Knights in 2007,” said Brown. “The first two seasons saw the Knights manage only six wins in each year before making one of the biggest improvements in league history, winning 33 games last year.”

On Sunday evening the Dukes visit Pickering. The Panthers have managed just one win in six tries so far this season. They do have, however, one of the league’s most dangerous scorers in Tyler vonEngelbrechten.

THE BROWN FILE

Noteworthy in Thursday night’s game was the mismatch in age between the two teams. The Kingston Vees dressed five 20 year olds; the Dukes just two. At the other end, the Dukes had four 17 year olds and one 16 year old in the lineup; the Vees just two 17 year olds and none younger.

Michael Montford, the lone 16 year old, scored his first Junior ‘A’ goal in his first ever game. Seventeen-year-old Darcy Greenaway picked up his first Junior ‘A’ point, an assist, in his first ever Junior ‘A’ game.