They’re back

Some wrinkles to iron out as a new season gets rolling

Exhibition games in August tend to be woolly affairs. Young athletes are scrambling to make an impression amid a team of mostly strangers. Passes tend to stray wildly off track and too often arrive at waist level rather than on the ice. Preseason is a moment to showcase individual skills rather than team dynamics.

The Wellington Dukes dropped both games against the Cobourg Cougars—newly relocated from Haliburton (last year’s Cougars moved to Downsview and were renamed Toronto Warriors). The new Cobourg Cougars feature many returning players, while the Dukes dressed just three regulars from last year’s squad. Former Dukes’ player Derek Smith guides the Cobourg team.

Saturday night’s game drew an impressive crowd for an August evening—the first under the new ownership of Andrew Gunning. Their enthusiasm, coupled with curiosity, was palpable before the game as acquaintances were renewed and speculation about the coming season bloomed.

On the ice, the Cougars struck first, beating netminder Mason Raycroft with the man advantage. Dukes returning forward Zach Mascard buried a cross-crease pass from Reid Crossman to tie up the score early in the second period, also on the power play. But Cobourg regained the lead midway through the frame.

In the third, a couple more power play goals enabled the Cougars to pull away. Blake Berthiaume tallied later in the period.

Wellington managed 28 shots against Cobourg’s 21.

Cobourg’s older, heavier team tried to pound the Dukes into submission but instead gathered a lot of attention from the refs—giving Wellington eight power play opportunities.

On Sunday afternoon, the Dukes visited Cobourg for a return tilt.

By the end of the second period, the Cougars had opened a 7-1 lead—with just Berthiaume scoring the lone Dukes goal. But Wellington came alive in the third, scoring three unanswered goals. Both teams added to their tally in the late stages of the game.

Wellington dropped its second match to Cobourg 8-5.

UPON REFLECTION
Dukes GM and coach Jacob Panetta was satisfied with the weekend outings.

The games were okay,” said Panetta. “We obviously had a lot of different guys in and out to get looks at. I was happy with the compete level and the guys’ efforts.”

Indeed, about half the Dukes’ line-up was different in Cobourg than in Wellington.

This week, the team hosts the Dukes Kids Hockey Camp, with aspiring players aged four to 14 working with players and coaches for a five-day week of fun and learning.

Meanwhile, Panetta says the team will drill down in practice for the next 10 days, readying for the Dukes’ September 4 season opener in Wellington against the Lindsay Muskies.

Season tickets are on sale now, and an array of sponsorship opportunities has opened up as a brand-new day begins in Wellington.