Two steps forward…

Snow and schedule make January hockey an adventure

The Wellington Dukes are a team that appears to be rounding into playoff form—though the renovation remains a work in progress. The Dukes strong-armed both St. Michael’s and Markham with self-assuredness last week—a pair of East Conference teams that had posed a challenge to Wellington earlier in the season. But on Saturday night, they couldn’t keep pace with the East Conference’s second-place Stouffville Spirit—closer, but not yet there.

Snow blew away Sunday’s game with Caledon.

The new faces are proving their worth. Dryden Riley has been sturdy in the Dukes’ net, while Cooper Woron, Aiden Lee and Cain Tucker are contributing on the scoresheet. Woron in particular— scoring four goals in four games with the Dukes.

Evan Erwin was on a tear last week—earning eight points in three games, including a pair of goals. Liam Campbell notched five goals and a pair of assists, generating seven points in three games.

WELLINGTON 6 – ST. MICHAEL’S 2
A strong Dukes game. Two goals in the first two minutes. A couple of sloppy plays let St. Mike’s back in the game. But an incredible display of hustle propelled Will Mitchell to score the Dukes go-ahead goal late in the third. It would prove to be the eventual game winner.

Perhaps the play of the game featured Captain Sacha Trudel goading the Buzzers’ top defencemen to drop the gloves early in the second period. While the fight was rather one-sided—the Buzzers’ D is 6-4 and 211 pounds while Trudel is 5-11 and 185 pounds—the effect was that the Buzzers lost their power play quarterback and primary penalty killer.

Liam Campbell notched a hat trick in this game and earned an assist on Evan Erwin’s first-period goal.

Dryden Riley turned away 37 shots to earn the victory.

WELLINGTON 7 – MARKHAM 1
Evan Erwin set the tone early. Rebuffed on his first attempt to enter the Markham zone, he found an alternate route, swung to the high slot, and whipped a high, hard shot through traffic into the Royals’ net.

Erwin contributed to Liam Campbell’s goal a few moments later. While the Royals managed to gain control for stretches in the Dukes’ zone, much of it was on the exterior. And when the shots came, Royden Smith stood tall.

Three more goals in the second from Landon Marleau, Zach Carrier and Cooper Woron. Carrier added another in the third. Kyle Grasby scored his third of the campaign from the blueline.

A high tip late in the period gave Markham its lone goal.

STOUFFVILLE 6 – DUKES 3
A tight game through the first period. Stouffville beat Dryden Riley late in the frame. The Spirit struck seconds into the second period. But the Dukes had an answer. Goals from Campbell and Woron drew the Dukes even. Midway through the frame, however, a shorthanded Spirit goal.

Twelve minutes into the third, the Spirit scored, extending their lead to 4-2. But just over a moment later, Woron added his fourth goal in four games wearing the Dukes jersey.

The celebration was short-lived as Stouffville scored 19 seconds later. An empty-netter sealed the win for the Spirit.

UP NEXT: MILTON, COBOURG AND NEWMARKET
The Menace visit Wellington in a Wednesday matinee game (today). Milton sits third in the West Conference with aspirations to move higher before the playoffs begin. The Menace, however, are coming off two losses on the weekend. There is no telling which team will be best prepared for the midday, midweek game.

On Friday, Cobourg limps into town. The Cougars still haven’t won a game since November.

If the playoffs started today the Dukes would face the Hurricanes in the first round. As such, Saturday’s match against Newmarket may provide a window into the Dukes’ playoff readiness.

Newmarket has won two of three matches against Wellington this season. The Dukes look to square the series on Saturday.