Skid

Defensive lapses cost Dukes on the road

The Dukes discovered some holes in the boat over the weekend, dropping two against West Conference teams they won’t see again this season. Losing to Burlington was one thing. The Cougars are expected to be pushing the leaders in the conference. But falling to the Blades—the way they did—was tougher. It was Oakville’s first win in four starts. A game the Dukes should have won. Two points they may need later in the season.

The team must button up the defensive part of its game—and soon. The next four games provide little relief. Aside from Caledon, the Dukes must find a way to shut down some of the most powerful teams in the West.

BURLINGTON 6 – DUKES 5
In Burlington, Wellington gained an early lead on a Jared McNeil point shot on the power play. But then six unanswered goals—one in the first, five more in the second. The Dukes managed to gain some composure between periods and responded with four unanswered goals—two on the power play. It wasn’t enough. Wellington made it look close—on paper.

OAKVILLE 4 – DUKES 1
Gabe Donahue got his first start of the season in the Dukes net at 16 Mile Arena on Saturday night. After a period, both teams had scored a single marker, including Ryan Schaap’s third goal of the season, on the power play.

But the Dukes failed to show up on time in the second. Two Oakville goals and the period was just two minutes old. Staggered, the Dukes had no response. The Blades added an insurance goal, in the third. And that was it. The Dukes managed to outshoot Oakville, but could not buy an even-strength goal.

UP NEXT: LEAMINGTON, CALEDON AND THE TORONTO PATRIOTS
After the newspaper’s deadline on Tuesday, the Dukes will have played the West Conference leaders, Leamington, in Niagara Falls. The teams are participating in the annual Governors’ Showcase in-season tournament. The Flyers have lost just a single game in six games—the lone defeat coming in overtime.

On Wednesday, the Dukes will face the Caledon Admirals—who are off to another poor start. Their lone win came against the Mississauga Chargers.

After returning home, the Dukes will return to Toronto on Saturday to face the Patriots. The north Toronto squad is off to a strong start. With four wins in four starts, they sit on the heels of Collingwood and Leamington.