Contenders

A winning effort in Trenton is spoiled by an overtime loss

An encouraging week in Dukes land— proving to any and all that Wellington belongs in the conversation for the top spot in the East and, indeed, the OJHL. While still hobbled by a depleted lineup, the Dukes showed that when—if— everyone gets back on the ice, they will be contenders.

DUKES 8 – MISSISSAUGA 1
Mississauga was in town on Friday. The Chargers brought a dreadful record of just six wins coming into Wellington, but also a giant chip on their shoulders. Each of these proud young men is a competitor at heart. Friday gave them an opportunity to test themselves against one of the best teams in the league. For a period, they were all of it. Forechecking like demons. Intercepting passes. Blocking shooting lanes. And creating scoring chances.

The Dukes were ready. They had faced this team before. But this was something else. The Chargers were flying. That was until late in the first period. The Dukes Graham Dickerson—back after a long stretch out of the lineup—gained the Mississauga blueline. Two strides. Then a drop pass to Liam Whittaker at the point. But rather than shoot or pass, Whittaker slid down the wing, cut to the net and jammed the puck through the Chargers’ netminder’s pads.

By the time the buzzer sounded ending the first period, much of Mississauga’s bluster went with it.

Early in the second, the Dukes rushed with three skaters on two defenders. Captain Emmet Pierce carried the puck across the blueline, Jacob Vreugdenhil with him in the slot, and David Campbell on the opposite wing. Pierce slid the pass deftly to Campbell. He had some options. That gave him time. He found his spot. Fired. It was the first of three the Sault Ste. Marie sniper would tally in this game.

Midway through the period, the Dukes had the Chargers hemmed in their own zone. Ethan Quick circled the perimeter looking for the proper alignment of opportunity and exhaustion. Back to Jonathan Balah, who found a lane. Far side. Goal.

By now, the outcome of this game had been determined, but Mississauga made it clear—if the Dukes were to let up—they would pounce on any opportunity given them. So it was that the Dukes’ Campbell scored two more midway through the third. Yet the Chargers weren’t fully subdued. A streaking forward Chargers’ shot down the wing. Fired a blast from the top of the face-off circle, beating Matt Dunsmoor, far side. Mississauga duly celebrated their achievement. Then three more Dukes’ goals. From Pierce, Mason Reeves and Barret Joynt.

That was it. A feisty competition thanks to a proud Chargers’ team with a lot of heart.

DUKES 2 – TRENTON 3 OT
On Saturday, the Dukes stepped into the spotlight as they visited the Trenton Golden Hawks in a game that was televised nationally by CHCH. The rink was full—for the first time since Covid struck—and the hometown crowd was buzzing for a big game against Wellington. Separated by just four points before the game, the outcome would create a bit of breathing room for the Golden Hawks with a win. A loss would turn the heat up to 11.

The Dukes were, surprisingly, the hungrier team in this affair. Playing hard at both ends of the rink and preventing any rushes up the middle. The teams stalemated through the first period. It wasn’t until a Trenton power play midway through the second that the ice was broken. The Golden Hawks’ Jake Campbell beat Ethan Morrow, in the Dukes’ net, giving Trenton the lead.

But it wasn’t long before Liam Whittaker’s shot from the point was mishandled by the Golden Hawk defender. Jaxen Boyer was on the spot. Fired point blank. Top corner. The game was knotted again.

It was the Dukes’ turn to go on the power play late in the second. With the man advantage to start the third, Wellington set up in the Trenton zone. David Campbell through a cross-ice pass, face-off circle to face-off circle, into Vreugdenhil’s wheelhouse. A wicked one-timer for which the Trenton netminder had no answer.

The Dukes had the lead.

Then a few moments later, the Dukes had the power play and the chance to widen the lead— and silence the Trenton fans. But a poor decision on the blueline led to a Trenton breakaway. Dalton Bancroft skated unimpeded to the net. Fired. Short-handed goal. Tie-game.

Still, the Dukes kept coming. Controlling the play territorially and structurally. It seemed only a matter of time. Three times Dukes’ shooters beat the netminder only to be foiled by the goalpost.

Into overtime. Again the Dukes were in control. Creating chances. Near misses. But it was an innocuous rush by the Golden Hawks that ended this game. Shot to get the puck on net. Many sticks. Trenton’s Jake Campbell lifted it over Morrow in tight. His second of the game—and, sadly, the game-winner.

Not all was lost. The Wellington Dukes served notice that they possess the skill and talent to beat the number one team in the East. Moreover, they appear willing to do the work to get the job done. That matters in the playoffs.

WELLINGTON 7 – CALEDON 1
The Dukes hammered the Caledon Admirals Monday evening during a rather chippy game on home ice. The Dukes received another strong effort from Jacob Vreugdenhill and Emmet Pierce as they both potted two goals each.

Dukes goaltender Ethan Morrow was nearly perfect, giving up only one goal midway through the third.

UP NEXT: LINDSAY, TRENTON AND COBOURG
The Dukes will have had three days to rest up before they head out on the road for three games in four nights. On Friday, they visit Lindsay to face the Muskies for the seventh time this season. Nothing can be taken for granted—despite Lindsay’s last-place standing in the east. In the six previous outings, Wellington has taken three, and the Muskies have taken three.

On Sunday, the Dukes are back in Trenton for the seventh game of the season series. Both teams have won three games each. The Dukes will be looking to shrink the point spread between these two East Division contenders.

On Monday night, the Dukes, head to Cobourg to face a Cougars team that has proved troublesome for Wellington. They have just two wins in six games against Cobourg this season while compiling a better record. The Dukes will have to make a statement against the Cougars before the playoffs—Monday might be the opportunity to make it.

The Dukes return home on March 18 in a rematch with the Cougars.