Sluggish start

New netminder and new skaters look to give the sagging Dukes a push toward the playoffs

It’s been a rough start to the new year for the Wellington Dukes. The team lost all three games it has played this month. All were road games. Its next three games are also on the road. The Dukes play at home next on Tuesday, January 20.

Meanwhile, the team was active at the OJHL trade deadline, adding a netminder and a trio of forwards, including Cain Tucker, son of former Leaf Darcy Tucker.

Even in three losses, there appeared silver linings. All three games were closely contested— decided by a goal, or a goal and an empty-netter. Against Trenton last Friday, Liam Campbell’s second goal of the game drew the Dukes within one of tying the game late in the third. But a Trenton empty-netter spoiled Wellington’s comeback against the East Conference’s leading team as measured by winning percentage.

Meanwhile, the Dukes have slipped back to seventh spot.

AURORA 5 – WELLINGTON 3
Wellington gave up two shorthanded goals to the Aurora Tigers on their first night back in action on January 3. Wellington dominated the game, outshooting the Tigers 41- 31. Landon Marleau put the Dukes in the lead 32 seconds into the game— his 16th of the season.

But midway through the second, Aurora scored while killing a power play. Tristan Williams responded for the Dukes. But the Tigers came back to score their first evenstrength goal early in the third. Then another shorty given up by the Dukes.

Zach Carrier managed to tie the game on the same power play, just over a minute later. But another Aurora even-strength goal. And an emptynetter. A disappointing start to the new year.

TRENTON 6 – WELLINGTON 4
There was much to like in this game. The Dukes were down 4-1 by the midway point of the game. It was shaping up to be a rough night in Trenton. But Liam Campbell scored a shorthanded goal a few moments later to narrow the lead to a pair of goals.

Wellington came out flying in the third, but an early Trenton goal spoiled the script. Nevertheless, the Dukes struck back with a pair of goals to make it interesting. A Golden Hawk empty-netter sealed the win for the Golden Hawks.

Newly acquired forward Brad Wilson scored a goal and earned an assist in his first game with the Dukes. Wellington outshot the Golden Hawks 36-34.

MARKHAM 3 – WELLINGTON 2 OT2
Friday’s good showing might have served as inspiration for the Dukes against the Markham Royals two nights later. And it did. For a while. Wellington had a 2-0 lead early in the third period. Will Mitchell had scored shorthanded, and Landon Marleau tallied his 17th. But a Markham power play goal lifted the Royals off the mat. Two minutes later, former Dukes player Maxime Morin set up the Royals’ tying goal.

With time draining in the second overtime, Markham’s Andrew Brees scored to complete the Royals’ comeback win.

UP NEXT: COLLINGWOOD, PICKERING, COBOURG, ST. MICHAELS
The Dukes’ schedule has been punishing all season long—but never more so than in these first weeks of January, when Wellington must play its first six games of the new year on the road. The absurdity reaches peak folly this week when the team travels 350 kilometres to Collingwood on Thursday, returns home and then drives 200 kilometres to Pickering on Friday.

The Collingwood Blues are having another strong season and sit second in the West Conference. The Blues have won four of their last five games. The Blues’ Will Hughes has generated 63 points of production in 37 games—good enough for third spot in the OJHL. Defenceman Nathan Omeri is the third leading point-getter among all OJHL defencemen.

The Dukes have come out on the losing side against Pickering twice this season. They will work to rectify this imbalance on Friday night in Pickering (not Wellington). The Panthers sit third in the East.

On Monday, the Dukes head over to Cobourg to face the woeful Cougars. Cobourg hasn’t won a game since early in November—20 straight losses. Meanwhile, crowd sizes are falling. Just 75 fans showed up last Monday.

The Cougars have mostly restocked a depleted lineup, which may pose an obstacle to the Dukes on Monday night.

Then on Tuesday, Dukes fans will get their first look at their home team in 2026 as Wellington hosts the St. Michael’s Buzzers for a 7:30 game. In two previous matches this season, each team has edged the other by a single goal. Expect another close game on Tuesday night.