Emergence

Lesser-known Dukes begin to shine

The Wellington Dukes are in Buffalo this week participating in the Governors’ Showcase tournament—an opportunity for scouts and recruiters to examine the current crop of OJHL talent in one rink. It is a chance, too, for unheralded players to shine and perhaps catch the attention of a school or hockey program.

The Dukes shuffled off to Buffalo with an unbeaten record after six games in this young season. They did so with a solid victory in Newmarket on Thursday and a hardfought win at home against Burlington. (The team played Orangeville on Tuesday night, after the newspaper went to press.)

These two games also saw some unheralded players stepping forward and making their presence felt. As opposing teams increasingly focus on the line of Brayden Stortz, Nic Mucci and Brent House, more room is opening up for Colin Doyle’s line with Austin Labelle and Evan Foley. But it was the emergence of Jackson Arcan, Brett Schaefer and newcomer Kyle Berry that was the happiest surprise last week.

Arcan scored once and added two assists in the games against Newmarket and Burlington. His line was strong in both games and ably exposed the lack of depth in the Dukes’ opponents.

In Newmarket the Dukes fell a goal behind early in the first period, but responded with three unanswered goals an skated to a 3-2 win on the road. Stortz was held to a single point.

DUKES 3 – BURLINGTON 2
Burlington is a big team. It is older and populated by players with unusually long names. (There is a surely an irritated seamstress in Burlington with aching fingers after labelling jerseys for the hyphenated monikers of Noah Featherstone-Gowe and Mike Hippolyte-Smith.)

The Dukes’ newest player is Kyle Berry from Kalamazoo, Michigan. It’s unclear whether he has a gal back there.

Burlington came to Wellington having won three games, tied one and losing another. They play good, structured hockey. Working the puck low and using their big bodies, they smartly tighten the noose until the puck is in the net.

That is how the Cougars took the early lead on Friday. It looked as though it might be a long frustrating night for the Dukes and their fans. But Wellington’s superior speed began to open up cracks in the Burlington defence as the game wore on, leading to mounting frustration—two Cougar players earned minor penalties on the same play. Labelle finished a slick passing play orchestrated by Stortz working from the faceoff circle left of the netminder to get the equalizer.

Gradually, the Dukes gained the upper hand, but after two periods the game remained deadlocked at one goal apiece. But in the third period, Justin Bean powered a low bullet from the top of the slot through a forest of legs into the Burlington net.

Midway through the period, Kyle Berry dug out the puck from deep in the Burlington zone. He found Arcan with a pass. Bang. The Dukes had a two goal lead.

The Cougars added a power play goal late in the period, but that was it. Connor Ryckman skated away with his sixth win in net for the Dukes.

UP NEXT: KINGSTON AND MARKHAM
Kingston is off to a sluggish start in the 2016/17 season with two regulation victories and one overtime win in six starts. Yet the rivalry with the Dukes remains a highly motivating influence in Kingston.

The Markham Royals are winners of four of their first five games. The Dukes visit Markham to duel with the Royals on Sunday afternoon.

ENERGETIC CHEERING DEMANDS A FULL-STOMACH
Come early for Friday’s game and enjoy barbecued dogs and burgers prepared by the Lady Dukes. Each month, these joyous Dukes supporters host a tasty pregame meal in exchange for a freewill offering. All monies raised go to the team to fund off-ice social and team building activities. So bring a healthy appetite, a few dollars and strong lungs to cheer on Wellington as they face the Kingston Voyageurs on Friday night.