In the pink

Dukes defeat Kingston, but game ends ugly

It was supposed to be a night of celebration, of hope and inspiration. Pink in the Rink was an opportunity to celebrate survivors, honour the memories of lost ones and join the fight for more research and better treatment for breast cancer. For most of the night, it was that celebration. Despite a smaller than hopedfor crowd due to a snowstorm and the threat of freezing rain, an enthusiastic gathering cheered as the Dukes skated onto the ice in shocking pink uniforms. The cheer grew louder as Karen Rushlow and Arlene Wright, both cancer survivors, came to centre ice for the ceremonial puck drop to start the game.

The hometown Dukes jumped all over the visiting Kingston Voyageurs. Less than two minutes into the game, Brayden Stortz fed Brody Morris who scored his first of three goals in the game. A minute later Rory Milne scored his first goal as a Duke—the first of three he would notch in the game.

Kingston rallied back as the period wore on—eventually scoring at the end of a power play to draw within a goal. But Wellington came out even stronger in the second period, scoring three unanswered goals and taking a commanding 4-1 lead. Even after Kingston tallied late in the second, the game’s outcome was no longer in question.

Rory Milne scored his first three goals as a Duke in one game against Kingston on Friday night.

Early in the third, Milne and Morris scored their third goals of the game. Then things went sour.

Midway through third, defenceman Mackenzie Warren had had enough of the behind-the-play slashing and chirping by the Voyageurs’ forward and leading penalty minute getter Cole Beckstead. The pair exchanged blows just before the 10-minute mark. This is key—because major penalties in the final ten minutes of the third can lead to a suspension. This rule is in place to discourage losing teams from attempting to retrieve some self-esteem in a slugfest when the game is out of reach.

It didn’t work.

First, Morris was sent to the penalty box for slashing. A couple minutes later, a hard check in front of the Kingston bench erupted into a brawl. The ugliest bit saw the Dukes player Keegan Ferguson slug the Voyageurs player to the ice, where he continued to punch away. Slow at first, the linesmen jumped into the fray before the Kingston player was hurt. To his credit, Dukes coach Marty Abrams shouted repeatedly from the bench, imploring his players to skate away.

Six players were assessed an assortment of fighting and unsportsmanlike penalties as a result.

Near the end of the game, another Kingston player cross-checked a Dukes player so severely so as to earn a five-minute major and a game suspension. In all, four Voyageurs were suspended as a result of this game. Two Dukes were also suspended, with Ferguson earning the toughest sanction—a three-game suspension.

When the final whistle blew, the Dukes had won 7-2, but it was hard to celebrate the win with much enthusiasm. Some of this disgrace must be laid at the feet of the referees. It was clear from early in the third period the visiting team was no longer interested in hockey—yet the refs kept their whistles quiet until the fists began to fly. By then it was far too late.

The Voyageurs weren’t yet done, however. After the game was over, some team members set about demolishing the visitor’s dressing room—causing an estimated $500 in damage. It was a black eye on a night that should have been dedicated to Pink in the Rink.

Karen Rushlow and Arlene Wright, both breast cancer survivors, were honoured at centre ice on Friday night for Pink in the Rink night. Presenting a bouquet of flowers to the ladies was Dukes assistant captain Carter Allen.

On Sunday, the Dukes won the game against Stouffville by every measure— except on the scoreboard. Wellington dominated in terms of shots in all three periods—eventually outshooting the Spirit 56-27. The Dukes had four power play opportunities versus two for their opponents. For much of the game, Wellington skated around Stouffville. But they couldn’t beat Stouffville’s netminder Aaron Taylor. Taylor is a good goalie— but not exceptional. But after breaking out for seven goals on Friday, the Dukes could muster just a single goal from Colin Doyle.

You don’t win games in this league with a single goal. Victor Olivier Courchesne started his third game in the Dukes’ net. He limited the Spirit scoring to just a pair of goals. But the Dukes’ offence couldn’t beat Taylor.

Stouffville went home the surprise recipient of a two points in game they should have lost. An early Christmas gift.

HEADED TO THE CHRISTMAS BREAK
The Dukes faced the Markham Royals in the last game of 2016 last night.

Wellington returns to the ice on January 5 when they travel to Newmarket. On Friday, January 6, the team returns home to face the Royals for the second time in three games.