Self destruct

Dukes drop game three

The lesson of the Dukes 3-1 loss against the Pickering Panthers was clear: Don’t fall behind against this disciplined, defensive team. And if you do, try to stay out of the penalty box. Don’t give games away.

Nothing went right for the Dukes in front of the hometown crowd on Tuesday night. Pickering got to Dukes netminder, Jonah Capriotti, early, scoring just 25 seconds into the game. Then three minor penalties. In fairness, the refs seemed to be operating with a hair trigger early in the game. But, so what. Rather than fighting for the equalizer, Dukes fought with the referees. Useless energy.

Jeff Burridge, Graeme McCrory and Nelson Powers were, by a wide margin, the hardest working line for the Dukes on Tuesday night, and were rewarded with a goal on a brilliant set-up by Burridge, and finish by McCrory.

On one of these string of powerplay gifts, the Panthers widened their lead to 2-0.

Still, the Dukes had enough firepower and possess more talent than the Panthers. And the game was just ten minutes old. There was plenty of time to turn this dud period around.

But the Dukes were more interested in arguing with the refereeing.

They settled down in the second period, carrying the play to the Panthers through much of the frame. But Panthers’ netminder Ethan Langevin was solid. And Pickering is a highly structured team defensively—everyone knows their job and responsibility. They left very few rebound opportunities or second chances for the Dukes buzzing the Pickering net.

Then Pickering got an ordinary shot from the face off circle by Capriotti. 3-0. Tyler Richardson got the call in the third period.

All game long it was the Dukes’ third and fourth lines carrying the play to the Panthers. Midway through the third, Jeff Burridge—who had a stellar game—navigated his way through traffic, attracting a cluster of Panthers along the way. He then, slid the puck expertly to his linemate, Graeme McCrory, who buried his shot. It was the Dukes first goal of the game.

With about eight minutes remaining, it seemed the Dukes might yet pull off a come from behind win in front their fans.

That possibility was extinguished a few seconds later when Mitch Martan was assessed a seven-minute penalty—two for roughing, five for spearing. Captain Colin Doyle protested loudly and rudely. He was sent to the box for abuse of official. A minute later, Andrew Rinaldi joined them. Slashing.

The Dukes played much of the remainder of the game, shorthanded. They had conceded defeat before the game was over.

Now, there are, I suppose a couple of ways to look at this turn of events. The positive aspect is that the Dukes remained a threat to win despite all the penalties and opportunities they gave Pickering. The more worrysome view, is that the Panthers now see a path to victory in this series.

The Dukes seemed to be self-destructing on Tuesday night. They were rolling toward a four-game sweep. Now the Panthers believe they are in this series.  The Dukes are back in action tonight in Pickering.

Wellington has the horses to turn this series back in their favour. We will learn tonight if they have the desire.