Building blocks

Dukes assemble a three-game winning streak

The Wellington Dukes have put together a three-game heater—a winning streak unmatched since the first weeks of the young season. Sunday’s win propelled the Dukes to fourth place in the East Conference—yet most other teams in the league have at least a game or two or three in hand over the Dukes.

Nevertheless, these are building blocks— good things that may be accumulated to produce something grand. A record worthy of the tradition of the Wellington Dukes.

DUKES 4 – BRANTFORD 1
After the Dukes spotted the 99ers a goal late in the first period in Brantford, the team came out strong in the second with goals from Dimitri-Alexander Tzaferis and Will Mitchell. Wellington added a couple power play markers—from Ben Vreugdenhil and Cory Jewitt—in the third to round out the scoring. Shane Shelest went the distance for the Dukes, turning away 20 shots.

The Dukes capitalized on two of six power play opportunities. An important road win.

DUKES 7 – MISSISSAUGA 3
Games such as these are dangerous. The Chargers have the worst record in the OJHL, having won just two games this season. Yet. It is a lot for young men—even disciplined and skilled young men like the Dukes—to summon the energy and focus against a lower-ranked opponent.

Individual Chargers’ players bring pride and skill to every game. It can come as a surprise.

The game started brilliantly for the Dukes. Justin Paré fired a long pass from the Dukes’ end to Corey Jewitt streaking up the left wing. Jewitt carried the puck low and put a pristine pass onto Zander Latreille’s stick, alone in the slot. Deke. Backhand. Goal.

Ethan Quick followed up with a skillful tip of a Tzaferis point shot on the power play.

Then, with the benefit of a two-man power play advantage, Latreille and Jewitt tossed the puck back and forth behind the goal. Suddenly, the puck was on Connor Hunt’s stick in the midslot. Shot. The Dukes had a three-goal lead.

But a Chargers goal beat Jack Lisson in the Dukes’ net and subdued the Wellington crowd. A power play goal, however, with just seconds remaining in the first frame, restored the Dukes’ three-goal lead.

The Chargers scored on the power play late in the second period—edging a bit closer. But the Dukes responded with two more early in the third from Mitchell and Hunt. Ryan Shaap scored on the power play for the Chargers midway through the period—the talented forward was involved in all the Chargers’ scoring.

Mitchell scored again a couple of moments later.

It was a win. Two points. But there were lessons to be learned in this game.

DUKES 5 – STOUFFVILLE 3
On Sunday, the Dukes welcomed the Stouffville Spirit to Wellington for the first time in years. The Spirit now play in the East Conference with the Dukes and, so far, enjoy a better winning percentage.

Ethan Quick got the Dukes going eight minutes into the first period from Matt Whelton and Sacha Trudel. The Spirit responded with two goals late in the period.

Justin Paré beat the Stouffville goalie early in the second— his first OJHL goal—to tie the game. The Dukes’ Caleb MacDonald added his first OJHL goal, giving the Dukes the lead. But midway through the period, the Spirit scored to knot the game again.

Austin Montgomery-Parsons scored on the power play early in the third, regaining the Dukes’ lead. Wellington’s Shane Shelest closed the door. Paré added an empty-netter to seal the win.

UP NEXT: GEORGETOWN AND NORTH YORK
The Dukes are on the road this week. On Wednesday, the team travels to Georgetown to face the 9-6-2 Raiders. Their record masks the fact the team is currently on a four-game winning streak.

The Raiders scoring is led by Quinn Tavares (cousin to John), who has amassed 21 points in 16 games. A couple of Finns mind Georgetown’s net. Finn Wilson has a solid 2.00 goals against average, while Finn Marshall has a better save percentage.

On Sunday, the Dukes head to North York, where the Rangers have struggled this season—putting together just two wins in 16 starts. The Rangers haven’t yet figured out how to score consistently—with just 33 goals so far.