Rolling

Dukes hit a bump, but keep on winning

The Dukes continue to roll along on their winning ways, taking two of three games on the weekend and extending their early-season record to five wins and a loss. Even the loss, to Stouffville on Friday, was a highly contested performance— but for a pile of penalties might have produced a different outcome.

The Dukes sit atop the East Conference as measured by winning percentage and the team is tied for third overall in the OJHL.

STOUFFVILLE 6 – WELLINGTON 4
Penalties defined this game. Stouffville power plays shaped its outcome and robbed the Dukes of a perfect record. Wellington gave Stouffville nine opportunities with at least a man advantage. The Spirit scored on four. A pair of Stouffville goals were scored with a two-man disadvantage. Penalties were the difference in the game.

The Dukes trailed by a goal going into the third. Four penalties in the first three minutes. Two Stouffville power play goals. The Dukes rebounded with two power play goals of their own. The Dukes got close to tying the game. But it wasn’t enough.

In fairness, some of the calls appeared borderline. When energy badger Kyle Kavc is called for roughing a much taller, much bigger opponent, the penalty measuring stick may need calibration.

The loss marred a strong outing from Royden Smith in the Dukes’ net. Smith allowed only a single even-strength goal. Zach Carrier also had a big night with a pair of goals and an assist. Ethan Murray was a factor every time he was on the ice—setting up three goals.

Penalties ended the Dukes’ perfect season.

WELLINGTON 5 – LINDSAY 3
In Lindsay on Saturday night, the Muskies scored early in the third period on a goal from the County’s Kaden Koutroulides, to take a 3-2 lead on home ice. The pesky fish had lost just a single game in five outings and seemed intent on keeping it that way.

But Sacha Trudel has a knack for changing the subject. The Dukes’ captain tied the game a few moments later. A short while later, Trudel set up Zach Carrier, putting the Dukes in the lead. Carrier added an empty-net goal to seal the road win.

Colby Booth-Housego went the distance in the Dukes’ net. Carrier added a pair of assists to his two goals in the game.

MARKHAM 1 – WELLINGTON 3
Beckham Brooks scored in the first, from Christian Armstrong and Blake Berthiaume, early in the first period. But as the game wore on, the Royals—in their second match against the Dukes this season— managed to tie the game, beating Booth-Housego.

Quinn McNamara has earned his ice time by slinging big hits so far this season. But late in the second frame, McNamara notched his first goal in six games on a power play. Vince Albanese followed up midway through the third period with his second goal of the season. Zach Carrier assisted on Albanese’s goal, his eighth helper on the season. Carrier leads his team with 14 points—a two-pointsper- game pace—tying him for fifth overall in the OJHL.

Colby Booth-Housego went the distance for the win—his third in three starts.

UP NEXT: WEDNESDAY NIGHT HOCKEY IN WELLINGTON
The Dukes host Haliburton in the first of three Wednesday night home games this season. The Huskies are off to an uncharacteristically wobbly start to their season, having won just two games in seven starts. Haliburton has lost its last five games.

On Sunday, the Dukes visit Newmarket for the first time since the franchise bugged out of Toronto’s ScotiaPond rink in Downsview over the offseason. So far in the Hurricanes’ reincarnation, the team has amassed a record of four wins, three losses, and a tie. Newmarket has played, however, just a single game at home—with eight games on the road. That home game saw more than 1,000 spectators welcome the team back to Newmarket. Their game against Wellington will be just their second game in front of a friendly crowd.

Next Tuesday, the Dukes travel to Finch and Bathurst to take on the Rangers. North York has failed to win a game after 11 starts.