Wobble and correct

Duke’s rebound from loss, prepare for big home weekend

The Dukes allowed one to get away on Friday night. On the road in Toronto, visiting the St. Michael’s Buzzers, the Dukes battled back from a one-goal deficit coughed up early in the game to take the lead in the second. Goals from Justin Paul and Brodie McDougall put Wellington ahead. But an early goal by St. Mikes knotted the game at two goals apiece.

Both squads generated scoring chances, but this game seemed bound for overtime. That is until Buzzers blueliner Ben Lawrick wristed a shot through traffic with 31 seconds remaining in regulation time, beating Matt Keeley in the Dukes net.

It was the Dukes’ first loss in 2020.

James White, newly acquired forward from the Saint John Sea Dogs, made an immediate impact on his new team on Friday. At 6-foot 4-inches and 220 pounds, White is a powerful force on the ice and was a near-constant irritant to St. Mike’s defence corps. White’s imposing forechecking produced the turnover that resulted in MacDougall’s second-period goal.

Ben Woodhouse navigates a pair of Golden Hawk players in a game in Wellington just before the break. Woodhouse set up Ben Evans’ game-winning goal on Monday night. The playmaker is third overall in team scoring with 39 points.

DUKES 5 – COBOURG 2
On Monday the Dukes dug themselves a two-goal hole into the second period in Cobourg. This despite the fact Wellington was vastly out-shooting and out-chancing the Cougars. The tide had to turn. And it did. When Frank Vitucci scored with 89 seconds remaining in the middle period, it opened the floodgates. In the next five minutes, the Dukes tallied three more times.

Jake Gagnon scored his team-leading 28th goal just 29 seconds into the third period. Forty seconds later Ben Evans scored to put the Dukes in the lead. Two minutes later Evan Miller padded the Duke’s lead. Four goals in rapid succession. Cobourg frustration boiled over into series of altercations that led to a procession to the penalty box.

Evan Miller tallied his second of the game on one of the ensuing power plays

UP NEXT: TRENTON AND TORONTO PATRIOTS
The Dukes welcome two powerhouse teams to Wellington this weekend. First up is Trenton, making their third appearance here this season. The Golden Hawks continue to lead the East Division and have widened their lead over the Dukes by five points (though Wellington has four games in hand). This is an important game.

The Golden Hawks have stumbled a bit of late, falling badly (7-1) to Pickering before being edged by Burlington. Then last week they slapped around Lindsay in back-to-back wins.

Toronto Patriots are second in the South Division. The Patriots were busy at the trade deadline, adding a pair of forwards and defencemen in preparation for the playoffs. Despite a strong start Toronto has stumbled since mid-December, winning just three games in their last nine.

Their recent record notwithstanding, the Patriots still pose a formidable threat. And the Dukes know points in January gain extra significance.

The Dukes face Toronto on Saturday with a 3 p.m. puck drop. The game will be broadcast across the nation on CHCH TV.