Into the vise

Wellington misses an opportunity but stays on track for post-season success

The Dukes had an opportunity to slide into first place in the East, but allowed it to slip from their grasp on Sunday. With just eight games left in the regular season—just one more against Trenton—the window is closing. Not yet closed, but narrowing.

As the Dukes head into the third-last weekend of the season, they sit just a single point back of the Golden Hawks, while Trenton retains a couple of games in hand (as of Tuesday morning).

Each game now offers fresh drama and significance to the post-season setup. As it stands now, Wellington would face Haliburton County in the first round, while Trenton would take on Cobourg. But the situation remains volatile, with all variations still possible.

In a potentially intriguing wrinkle—the fifth-place Muskies still have a path to the post-season. Should Lindsay remain ahead of the Toronto Patriots in points, they would force a qualifying game to determine who goes on—and who goes home. Stay tuned.

DUKES 6 – LINDSAY 3
Wellington didn’t make this path for Lindsay easier. On Friday, the Dukes travelled to the Land o’ Muskies. After Jacob Dietz opened the scoring for the Dukes early in the first period, Wellington’s defence suddenly went spongy— allowing a series of too-easy rushes to penetrate the Dukes’ zone. Two unchecked incursions resulted in Lindsay goals. And the lead.

After that, Wellington’s team defence firmed up. That was enough of that.

Trailing 2-1 going into the second period, defenceman Jonathan Balah carried the puck to the top of the right face-off circle and then put a brilliant pass onto the stick of newly acquired defenceman Jax Wismer, who had sneaked in from the point. A pretty goal.

Three more goals followed—from Emmet Pierce, Graham Dickerson and David Campbell. Lindsay capitalized on a scoring chance in the period, but the terrain was getting bumpy. And the Dukes were digging in defensively. Jaxen Boyer finished a Brodie McDougall play on the power play late in the final frame.

After wobbling for a moment early on, the Dukes settled down and secured a solid road win.

TRENTON 5 – DUKES 2
I blame the time change. For the Dukes played well. So did the Trenton Golden Hawks. There wasn’t much light between these teams. Nevertheless, this game slipped away from the Dukes.

It helped not at all that Trenton snipers found the top far corner on Ethan Morrow, twice—from the face-off circle. Aaron Jamieson in the first period, Aiden MacIntosh in the second. Nor did it help that the Dukes coughed up the puck on the power play. Again. To Dalton Bancroft. Again.

Wellington has spotted too many teams lately these short-handed gifts. And opponents—including Bancroft—have made them pay. Some attention is needed.

But without these goals (and an empty-netter), this game ends with a Dukes win or, at worst, tie—leaving it a coin flip to determine who takes the extra point. Instead, the Dukes conceded the game. Needlessly is perhaps too harsh—but it is close.

Trenton also managed to get under the Dukes’ captain’s skin on Sunday. Wellington relies upon Pierce to be composed to slow the play down. To create time and space. They need their captain focused and in the zone. They respond to his pace. He cannot let the Golden Hawks unmoor him.

WELLINGTON 4 – COBOURG 3 OT
Few markers illustrate the competitiveness of the East Division better than the fact the Cobourg Cougars remain stuck in fourth place. The Cougars are a talented and well-coached team. They work hard, are strong defensively, and boast an array of potent offensive weapons. There are just seven points between Cobourg and the league-leading Trenton Golden Hawks.

Should either Trenton or Wellington fail to put in a solid 60-minute effort over the final stretch, both the Haliburton County and the Cobourg Cougars are poised and capable of moving in the standings.

On Monday, things were going Wellington’s way. Mason Reeves got things going with a goal in the first. Cobourg responded with their own marker early in the second. Then as the period was winding down, the Dukes went on the power play. Jonathan Balah from the point to David Campbell deep in the far corner. A quick pass to the middle slot, where Emmet Pierce was fending off checkers. A quick shot. The Dukes’ lead was restored.

Midway through the third, Jaxen Boyer fed Pierce. Shot. Goal. The Dukes had a 3-1 lead and might have locked the game away. But the Cougars weren’t done. A minute later, the Cobourg pressure produced a goal. It was closer, but the Dukes still had the lead.

But not long after that, the Cougars caught the Dukes’ defence flat-footed, Kyle Mercer sped by the lone Duke and beat Matt Dunsmoor. The game was tied.

In the second overtime, three on three, Jacob Vreugdenhil, carried the puck across the blueline waited for his linemates to gain position. Pass down to Pierce. The Dukes’ captain danced into the near slot—and slid the puck through the Cobourg netminder. The game-winner and a hat trick.

An exciting game. Too exciting.

UP NEXT: CALEDON, COBOURG AND MISSISSAUGA
The Dukes visit Bramalea tonight (Wednesday) for the final meeting, of three, with the Caledon Admirals. Wellington has won both previous games rather handily—allowing just three goals in the two matches. Further, the Admirals’ record hasn’t improved since the Dukes swamped them 7-1 earlier this month.

In perhaps the most significant game of the week, Wellington hosts the Cobourg Cougars on Friday night. A number of scenarios envision Wellington and Cobourg facing each other in the first round. The Cougars hold the edge in six games against the Dukes this season with four victories. Cobourg has won three of their last five games—both losses, however, came at the hands of the Toronto Junior Canadiens.

Of particular note: The Cobourg Cougars have scored 14 short-handed goals this season—leading the league in this statistic. Something for the Dukes’ power play to be mindful of.

On Saturday, the Dukes head to Port Credit to take on the Mississauga Chargers. As the Dukes learned firsthand earlier this month, the Chargers are a proud team with heart and some talent. Their record reflects a lack of discipline and perhaps confidence. But Mississauga is a team that is happy to punish the complacent— those who would take the two points for granted.

Mississauga won’t make the playoffs—but they would see success by knocking off a playoff contender.