Shake up
Dukes make changes in preparation for the playoffs The Wellington Dukes battled to a hard-fought draw on Friday and clobbered Milton on the road on Saturday to edge within six points of second place in the OJHL East. It was also a weekend in which GM and head coach Marty Abrams shook up the Dukes line-up […]
Thriller in Trenton
‘Best game of the season’ According to one fan who trekked to Trenton on Wednesday night—it was the best game he’d seen all season, perhaps a few seasons from the Wellington Dukes. “Our guys dominated Trenton both in speed and physical play,” said Bill Wightman. “The smart kind of toughness,” he added. By the end of […]
Junior A wrap up
Familiar combatants faced off in the final of the World Junior A Challenge on Saturday in Cobourg, as Team Canada West beat Russia 2-1 to claim the championship for the fourth time since the tournament was formed. Team Canada East lost the bronze medal game to the US by a 7-1 score. The Dukes’ […]
Worldly
Dukes factor in a variety of junior hockey action over the past week Judging by the exhibition game against the U.S. squad in Wellington last Friday night, and subsequent loss to the Russians on Monday, it looks to be another tough tournament for Team Canada East in the World Junior A Challenge this year. The tournament […]
Tough luck
Winning streak ends rudely Some losses are deserved—either through lack of effort, discipline or talent. But the Wellington Dukes had plenty at their disposal on Friday night— certainly more than their visiting opponents the Pickering Panthers. Yet, the Dukes dropped a 5-4 decision—their first loss in nine games. To Pickering. Sometimes it is just bad […]
Four lines
Every player is contributing to the Dukes winning streak Make it eight games. The Wellington Dukes have returned to their winning tradition in November—winning eight games in a row. They are doing it with speed, tenacity, and determination. It starts in net and flows through four lines. And that is the difference. For while the Dukes […]
Making things happen
Dukes move into third place on the back of a five-game winning streak Luc Brown and Jacob Panetta are making their college recruiters look like geniuses. Both are having breakout seasons in their final year of junior hockey. Both are headed to NCAA Division I hockey programs next season. Brown with Union College, Panetta with Colgate. […]
Restraint
Dukes regain winning ways Bit by bit, the Wellington Dukes are assembling a winning record. They are doing this by returning to the fundamentals of Dukes’ hockey—speed, tenacity and discipline. It is the same formula that has propelled this hockey team to the national championships twice in a decade and earned the team a […]
Frail conquest
Dukes escape with a victory It was a win. It is always preferable to begin with the positive. And a win is always better than the alternative—particularly when it staunches a three-game losing skid. But Dukes fans will be forgiven for feeling bit uneasy about their team’s 5-3 win over the Whitby Fury on Friday […]
Stuck
Two-game skid grounds Dukes in nowhereland The Dukes fell back last week—back to .500—10 wins, 10 losses in 20 games. It might just be that kind of season. Some good nights, some bad. After all, this is a young team—with both the benefits and challenges that come with youth. Or it might just be some bad […]