Rough October

Losing streak erases gains made in September

It was a tough week to be a Dukes fan. Worse for a Dukes’ goalie. By Sunday night, Wellington had played four games in six days. The Dukes had scored at least four goals in each game—but lost all of them. By Monday, the losing streak reached five games.

Neither was Wellington playing the league’s elite. Lindsay and St. Mikes are middle- of-the-pack squads. Aurora has a sub .500 record, and North York hadn’t won a game all season—until Wellington came to town.

It should not have played out this way. The Dukes scored 18 goals over the four-game stretch—4.5 goals a game. That should be enough production to win. But it wasn’t. Not once.

That’s because the Dukes allowed 23 goals in the four games.

It might seem a consolation that two of four losses came in the second overtime period. But it isn’t. They may be meaningful points in February—but won’t fix what ails the team today.

STOUFFVILLE 8 – WELLINGTON 2
The wheels fell off completely on Monday in Stouffville. That said, the game was competitive for a couple of periods. The Spirit led by a single goal going into the third. Eight minutes into the final frame, however, it all fell apart. Five unanswered Stouffville goals. Three in under a minute. A tough night.

AURORA 7 – WELLINGTON 5
Before the game had reached the midway point, the Tigers from Aurora had notched five goals. The Dukes had zero. Some fans went home to put the turkey in the oven. But then, Zach Carrier got Wellington on the board. At last.

Early in the third, however, Aurora’s Charlie Hotles scored his second in the game—restoring the Tigers’ five-game lead.

But midway through the final frame, the Dukes roused to life. Three unanswered goals. Zach Mascard with a pair. Evan Erwin with his first of the season. All in the span of 90 seconds.

Could it be? Was this the TSN Turning Point? Nope. Aurora scored again. Carrier added another at the horn with Wellington’s net empty. Plenty of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Netminder Royden Smith went the distance in the loss.

LINDSAY 5 – DUKES 4 OT2
It turns out that when you spot your opponents four goals on 11 shots in the first period, you’ve made your chances of winning exponentially harder.

But that’s how Wellington set out on Saturday night in Lindsay. The Dukes managed just five shots in the frame. That the team came back with four unanswered goals in the second and third can in no way mitigate the hole the Dukes had dug for themselves. In any event, the game was tied and headed for overtime.

For the second time in as many games, the Dukes managed to take a penalty in the second overtime period. Slashing. Lindsay scored on the ensuing power play. Game over.

ST. MIKES 6 – WELLINGTON 5 OT2
2:30 pm. Wednesday. It’s fortunate that Wellington has a few retired folks living in the village, or there might not have been fans to witness this matinee.

It should have been a bounce-back game. After losing to North York the night before, the Dukes were looking to get back on a winning track. And early on, it looked like that might happen, as Ethan Murray scored just 30 seconds into the game. Then bang, bang, bang, bang. Four unanswered St. Mikes’ goals in the span of just over 10 minutes.

Carson Albert scored a few minutes later. But then a brutal short-handed Buzzers’ goal. Maxime Morin scored on the same Dukes power play. At the end of the first period, St. Mikes was leading 5-3. Christian Armstrong scored his second of the season, helping the Dukes draw to within a goal of the Buzzers. Midway through the third, Vince Albanese tied the game.

By this point, the Dukes were dominating the St. Mikes squad. The Dukes were faster. Buzzers depleted. Everything was pointing in the Dukes’ favour. But Wellington’s top line got caught out on the ice too long. Wandering around. A couple of good St. Mikes’ passes and the puck was in the net. A loss that should have been a come-from-behind victory.

NORTH YORK 5 – WELLINGTON 4
The Rangers got on the board midway through the first. The Dukes responded, however, with a pair of goals early in the second from Carrier and Murray. But then two more North York goals—the second on the power play.

Cole Ellis tied up the game 11 seconds into the third. North York rallied with two more goals. It was their first victory of the season. In front of 44 fans.

SCHEDULE SNARK
More on the peculiar 2025/26 schedule. The Dukes have more Sunday afternoon games remaining (9) than they do Friday night games (7). The team must play two more midweek afternoon games at home, both in January.

The OJHL doesn’t boast a massive fanbase in most markets. The average attendance per game is approximately 370 fans, excluding Collingwood and Leamington. OJHL teams rely on season ticket and gameday sales to fund their operations. Afternoon games work against this primary need.

UP NEXT: NEWMARKET AND BURLINGTON
After a few days of rest and practice, the Dukes will host Newmarket on Friday night. The Dukes lost their only match against the Hurricanes earlier this month. The teams have near-identical records in their last ten games, but the Dukes have a losing streak that must come to an end.

On Sunday afternoon, the Dukes welcome the Burlington for the lone meeting with the West Conference Cougars this season. Burlington is sporting a sub-.500 record early in the season with five wins, six regulartime losses, and three overtime losses. Expect a close game.