Rested and healthy

Dukes prepare for a prosperous New Year

The Wellington Dukes have much to build upon in 2020, much to inspire ambitions.

The Dukes kick off the new year on Friday in a virtual tie for first place in the East Division (two points behind the Trenton Golden Hawks, but with a game in hand). They should get some key folks back into the lineup this month, including Noah Massie and Jacob Breckles on the blueline, as well as sniper Evan Miller up front, adding to an already potent Wellington offence.

Barrett Joynt celebrates what would turn out to be the game-winning goal on Dec. 19 as the Dukes defeated the Trenton Golden Hawks 2-1.

The schedule also favours the Dukes with ten of the final 18 games to be played at home. Nine games against teams with losing records and a couple against middle- of-the-pack clubs. On the other hand, Wellington faces the Golden Hawks twice more, and will also see contenders including the Toronto Patriots, Toronto Jr. Canadiens and Oakville Blades before the regular season closes out in the third week of February.

These games before the playoffs also enable newcomers including Justin Paul, Cole McGuire and Brodie McDougall to acclimatize to Wellington and the Dukes’ systems and expectations.

DUKES 2 – TRENTON 1
The Dukes ended the year well, defeating Trenton 2-1 on December 20, in the fourth match between the Bay of Quinte rivals this season.

It was a bit of a raucous affair with a full-on brawl punctuating the end of period two.

It was the Dukes who got on the scoresheet first, as Dylan Massie rifled a shot from a tight angle, catching the far side of the net, putting his team in front in the first period. Early in the second, Quinn Hanna stopped the puck at the blueline, fed to Brodie McDougall along the wall. Shot. Rebound. Barrett Joynt, gaining confidence in every game he plays at this level, swatted home the puck, giving his team a 2-0 lead.

Justin Paul eludes a pair of Trenton checkers to emerge from the corner with the puck. The Thunder Bay native was kept off the scoresheet in this game, but created several good chances with his speed and agility.

Trenton scored off the face-off early in the third. But Matt Dunsmoor closed the door on Trenton’s attack after that. The Dukes win ended the Golden Hawks’ 15-game winning streak.

One area the Dukes will want to reconsider before the playoffs begin is their fondness for the penalty box. With a league-leading 871 penalty minutes, the Dukes are in a category unto themselves.

UP NEXT: WHITBY AND LINDSAY
Whitby struggled in December winning just one of seven games, including a 4-3 loss to the visiting Dukes. Despite a losing record, the Fury are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and made some moves last month suggesting a bid for respectability. Whitby is in Wellington on Friday night.

The Lindsay Muskies visit Wellington for a rare Saturday evening game. The Muskies are toiling through another tough season, managing just five wins in 38 games so far. Lindsay won just a single game in November and December. Three of their losses have come at the hands of the Dukes. This is the first of four more matches between these teams before the end of the regular season.