Unexplainable

Dukes win one, lose one and lose another they should have won

Some games are simply inexplicable— where the final score bears little resemblance to the contest you just witnessed. Sunday’s game between Wellington and Whitby was just such an oddity. The Dukes lost the game 6-3. But by nearly every other measure, the Dukes were the better team—more scoring chances, more speed and more intensity. Shots on goal were even at 37 apiece, but that statistics should make the Fury blush—for many of its shots were from a long way out.

Whitby is good, however, at redirecting these long shots toward the net. Good, and lucky. At least two Fury goals pinballed off Duke defenders and past Connor Ryckman in net for Wellington. Often these kinds of goals came after a promising Dukes rush had fizzled.

But let’s stay on the positive. Nic Mucci may be among the most talented, creative and deceptive players ever to don a Dukes uniform. He is amazingly adept at showing the defender the puck and then pulling it back as he dances around him. It is irresistible. Even when they know what’s happening to them—opponents lunge hungrily at the bait presented. He is an astonishing talent and perhaps the best playmaker in the league. He is tied with linemate Brayden Stortz for the most assists in the OJHL.

It doesn’t work for Mucci 100 per cent of the time, however. It is why it is not a good idea to have him as your last guy back.

The Dukes were down 5-2 going into the third period—but playing well enough that overcoming a three-goal deficit seemed doable. Better yet, Wellington had 40 seconds left on the power play—an opportunity for a quick goal and perhaps mount a comeback. Stortz won the face off, sliding the puck back to Mucci. The Whitby forward was on him immediately. Mucci shifted. Dodged. It didn’t work. The opponent had the puck with no defender between him and Ryckman. Score.

There was no coming back from a four-goal deficit.

When the game isn’t going the Dukes’ way Mucci, Stortz, Justin Bean, Brody Morris and others tend to take it personally—stepping away from the on-ice structure in a vain attempt to manufacture the magnificent scoring play on their own. Not for glory or self-interest, but instinctively as a means to put their team back in contention. They try to do too much. It is not unique to these players—it is a natural inclination. But it partly explains the inexplicable—that is how they lose a game they should have won.

Nic Mucci showcases his now-you-see-it-now-you-don’t sleightof-hand trick. Opposing defenders can’t resist but focus on the puck, and in a flash the Dukes forward is around them—with the puck.

It is not as though the other lines aren’t working. Colin Doyle and newcomer Mitchell Martan are showing signs of some good chemistry. The 18-year-old Martan is built in the Dukes’ mould— smaller, but fast and tremendously skilled. He had a highlight reel goal called back on Sunday because the refs deemed the net was off its moorings. How it got that way was a bit of a mystery. Martan pairs up well with the hard-nosed and tireless Doyle. Linemate Mitchell Mendonca tends to be the beneficiary—in the right place to finish the play.

Austin Labelle continues to be one of the hardest working players on the ice—but, so far, has just a single goal in 25 games. Evan Foley is in the same boat. So too is Kyle Prendel, Jackson Arcan and Brett Schaeffer. It feels all of these tenacious forwards are ready to break out. But not yet.

This weekend, the Dukes will cross over the mid-point of the season. It’s time.

DUKES 3 – COBOURG 4
The Cobourg Cougars are a strong, powerful team built for the RBC Cup. But they play, at times, like they are on holiday. This team has speed, size and a bounty of talent. Their defence is big and smart. Their netminder is solid and quick—if a bit over-rated.

And when the Cougars show up—they dominate. The Dukes, and likely most teams in the OJHL, have no match for this team.

Most of the time, however, at least in games against the Dukes, the Cobourg Cougars have been unimpressive. Disinterested. Seeking shortcuts. We have seen flashes of the Cobourg team—the ability to completely control where and how the game is played—but not often and never for 60 minutes. Unchecked, this can become a habit.

It is, therefore, easier to explain the Dukes 4- 3 loss against Cobourg—though this game might well have gone Wellington’s way.

After Cobourg had scored in the first period, the Dukes stiffened. The Cougars failed to respond. Brett Schaeffer potted a goal, short side, a moment later—his fourth point in four games—to tie the game at one.

Early in the second, Mucci—seeing the game better than anyone else on the ice—intercepted the puck in the neutral zone while killing a penalty. One-on-one with the netminder, Mucci rarely misses. Cobourg’s netminder lunged at the bait, Mucci dangled, and the puck was in the net. Short-handed goal. The Dukes led 2-1.

Cobourg tied the score late in the second. But between periods the Cougars surely heard some unflattering words from their coaches. Or some insightful, encouraging prose. In any event, Cobourg came back onto the ice like a storm. They scored 37 seconds into the period and continued to come in waves—penning the Dukes mercilessly in their zone. Wellington managed just five shots in the final frame. They had no answer.

Both teams traded goals in the final minutes of the game. But by then the outcome was cast.

UP NEXT: TRENTON AND LINDSAY
The Dukes host Trenton on Friday night in Wellington. The Golden Hawks have a bit of the Cougars disease currently— boatloads of talent, not always rowing together. Trenton has won four of their last five—but none of the victories have been overwhelming. Last Sunday, the muchimproved Aurora Tigers shut out the Golden Hawks—defeating the East Division leaders 3-0.

The Lady Dukes are hosting a pulled pork meal before the game on Friday night. All proceeds from this tasty homemade meal go to the players.

On Sunday, the Dukes travel to Lindsay for their first match-up against the Muskies this season. Lindsay has struggled this season—celebrating just seven wins in 24 games. On Sunday, they were clobbered 10-2 by Cobourg. Five or their seven wins have come at home—the Dukes will have to work to earn two points in Lindsay.