Hockey time

Dukes begin a new campaign with question marks

The Wellington Dukes are back. The team returned to the ice on Saturday in a woolly exhibition game at home. The Dukes hosted the Trenton Golden Hawks in a match that saw the lead go back and forth—as both teams scrambled to find recognizable form.

Trenton held the upper hand through the first period, tallying a couple of goals along the way. But the Dukes rebounded with a goal later in the frame and two unanswered goals in the second. The large hometown crowd was thrilled.

The Dukes had a chance to expand the lead late in the second period on a pair of back-to-back power plays. Wellington had successfully rattled the Golden Hawks.

But a bad giveaway on the second man-advantage provided Trenton’s Nate Taylor a breakaway. Backhand. Shorthanded goal. The worst kind.

The Golden Hawks followed that up with a power play goal. Two more in the third.

And that was that. Trenton went home with the 6-3 win.

There were bright spots for Dukes fans. Some returning players seem ready to take a step forward this season. Sacha Trudel, Zach Carrier, Cole Ellis, and Zach Mascard each had strong outings. Newcomers such as Justin Doak, Carson Albert and Max Morin also had good games. All will benefit from more practice time with their mates to know if their skills contributes to team success.

RETURN GAME IN TRENTON
The Dukes’ Brodie Pithie scored 96 seconds into the game. Midway through the second, Trenton broke open the game with three unanswered goals. Wellington responded with goals from Aston Ferrell and Sammy Longo to tie the game early in the third frame.

But soon the dam broke. Trenton scored three more times. Cameron Mack scored midway through the messy game. But the Golden Hawks added two more before the final buzzer sounded. The Dukes accumulated 41 minutes in penalties in the preseason game.

An 8-4 Trenton win.

UP NEXT: TRENTON

The Dukes will entertain the Golden Hawks one more time in Wellington before the regular season gets underway. On Sunday, September 7, the teams will square off for the third time this season. Game time is 2:30 p.m.