Things fall apart

Dukes defensive structure evaporates

The Dukes will be going back to the whiteboard this week—moving Xs and Os around until they relearn the basics of playing structured defensive hockey in the OJHL. It’s not like they don’t know this stuff, but rather that they showed little evidence of it this past weekend. So you start all over, from the beginning.

These were supposed to be easy points. At home against a pair of discombobulated, homeless teams still struggling just to know what jerseys to wear. Neither the Milton/Brantford nor Brampton Admirals are likely to figure in the playoff mix when all is written about this campaign—but then again, who knows? February is still a couple of seasons away.

So far in this young season, Daniel Panetta has often been the best player on the ice. The two-way centre is a force at both ends of the ice—forcing turnovers and using his feet to navigate up ice through traffic.

Marketed as the Brantford 99ers, a dispute with the OHA, meant the team that showed upon Friday night was dressed in the Milton Icehawks outfits. (Later, the OJHL decided that is how they would be known in this league until they worked out their disagreement.)

There is, however, very little overlap with the Milton squad that finished out of the playoffs last year. The team is decidedly older—seven 20-year-olds, six more 19-year-olds. The strategy is to compete on size and intelligence—the wisdom accumulated between ages 15 and 20. Applied in the right proportion at the right time—these ingredients can foil superior skill and speed. For a while. But on Friday it was enough to hand Wellington their first defeat of the season.

Still unable to find a sturdy body to plant himself in front of the net, the Dukes tend to work the puck low and to the outside. When the pass to the slot failed—from deep in the opponent’s zone—it released three or four Icehawk/99ers on the transition. Over and over again the Dukes gave up the odd man rush.

Dannick Francoeur had a rough debut in the Dukes net giving up seven goals on 36 shots. He might have, however, benefitted from more support from his teammates. There were far too many giveaways in the Dukes end, too many odd-man rushes. Still. When you score five goals in a game—you really should win it.

Simply put the Dukes lost track of their game. The Icehawk/99ers came out loose. Run and gun. It was too tempting for the speedy Dukes. So they played along. In doing so, they lost track of their game plan. Of basic structure. Sometimes three or for of them playing deep in the offensive zone. Everyone eager to tally.

So the shoot out began. Early in the second frame the game was tied at four goals apiece. It seemed the last goal would win this thing. But Milton/ Brantford roused from their rope-a-dope act burying three unanswered goals. Wellington got one back in the third—but were no longer a threat to come back in this one.

The Dukes fell 7-5 to Milton or Brantford, or whoever they are.

OUTSMARTED
Things didn’t improve much on Sunday as they welcomed the Brampton Admirals. The Dukes fell behind early in the first, but managed to tie the game before the period ended. A familiar pattern was becoming apparent. Loose structure. Blown assignments. Odd man rushes. The Dukes were outshooting their opponents, but by early in the second they trailed on the scoreboard 2-1.

The situation was amplified midway through the second. The Dukes made a bad pass in their own zone, Brampton’s Michael Hill was the recipient of the gift. Hill streaked up the middle of the ice, through two Duke defenders, both of whom had been caught flat-footed. Now a breakaway. Shot. Brampton had a two-goal lead.

Then the lights turned on. On the penalty kill, Daniel Panetta scooped up the puck in his own zone and weaved through traffic with Madoka Suzuki streaking to the net. Slick pass. Goal.

Nick Abbott tied the game on the powerplay later in the period. The second whack on the wrap-around attempt put the puck in the net.

Another brutal giveaway in the Dukes corner resulted in the Admirals retaking the lead. Moments later, however, the Dukes converted another near disaster in their own zone into a rush up ice. Defenceman Zach Nelson carried the puck. Low shot. Jacob Vreugdenhil managed to put his stick on it, spinning the puck over the netminder.

Jacob Vreugdenhil skillfully manoeuevres to find a shooting or passing lane, while linemate Frank Vitucci, gleefully finishes his check in action on Friday night.

Overtime was compromised by another Dukes’ penalty. But Brampton wasn’t able to capitalize despite all the open ice. It was late in the second overtime when the Admirals outlet pass found a winger, already behind the Dukes defenders. Shot. Another tough loss at home.

Dukes fell 5-4 in double overtime. They had outshot the Admirals 40-28.

BAD BOYS
Team discipline is emerging as an issue early in the season. The Dukes once again lead the league in penalty minutes. By a large margin. In five games, the Dukes have racked up 166 penalty minutes. Thirtythree minutes per game. Coach John Druce says it is a challenge and is impressing upon his young, and smaller team, that they can’t continue to play short handed.

Elijah Gonsalves is an extremely talented playmaker. When he is on the ice. But so far he has already been suspended a game and penalized 40 minutes. His team needs him to play with more discipline. To set an example.

UP NEXT: KINGSTON, MISSISSAUGA AND BURLINGTON
Kingston has a pair of wins and an overtime loss after three games so far in this young season. All three have been low-scoring affairs, with each outcome decided in overtime. The Dukes visit Kingston on Thursday.

On Friday night the Dukes return to Wellington to face the Mississauga Chargers. It is hard to know what to make of the Mississauga Chargers this season. In four games they’ve won just a lone game—but in doing so blew out the Toronto Patriots 7-4.

Then on Monday the Dukes travel to Burlington to face the Cougars who have one win in four starts.