Winning ways

Dukes are earning their second place ranking

The Dukes are continuing to get better in November. In nine games the Dukes have played so far this month, it has won six—a winning pace that puts them on par with the Markham Royals and a fighting chance for second place in the East Conference.

But nothing comes easy. Most games for this team are a test—of character, of determination and sheer desire. Friday’s match against the St. Michael’s Buzzers was typical. Hard fought. Close checking. Solid structure. Good discipline. And a good outcome.

Most of all, the Dukes provide exciting hockey each and every night.

DUKES 5 – ST. MIKE’S 4
St. Mike’s is a proud hockey team with a long tradition of success that burns through from one season to the next. The Buzzers have had mixed results so far, but no opponent takes this team for granted.

As the teams sparred in the first period, neither was willing to give any time or space. Dimitri-Alexander Tzaferis wired a shot on net from the high slot. Pana Ephraimidis got a couple of whacks at the rebound before the puck slid wide. Zander Latreille was there to swipe it home—and the Dukes lead.

St. Mikes’ came out in the second with two goals before the period’s midway point. But the Dukes bounced right back with two quick goals from Connor Hunt and Ethan Quick. Quick’s tally was a single-handed effort—forcing the puck loose deep in the St. Mike’s zone. Hard shot from a tight angle. The Dukes had the lead—and it felt like they might keep it this time.

But alas, no. With just seconds remaining in the period, The Buzzers’ Joseph Nikac got around the Dukes’ defence and put a shot on netminder Shane Shelest. Brandon Cohen put away the rebound. The game was tied going into the third.

William Mitchell scored his tenth goal of the campaign in the third, while Cohen scored his second of the game for St. Mike’s. When the buzzer sounded, the game was tied 4-4.

The first overtime—four on four—yielded no game-winner. Late in the three on three round, Ethan Quick, Ephraimidis and Will Whelton combined to score and seal the win at home.

Perhaps unnecessarily close—yet an exciting game nonetheless.

DUKES 5 – NIAGARA FALLS 1
It was a different matter in Niagara Falls on Sunday as the Dukes rolled over the Canucks in their first-ever match with the expansion team. Ephraimidis scored twice and generated a pair of assists. Corey Jewitt had a goal and an assist. Connor Hunt scored his team-leading 16th goal of the season.

Jack Lisson went the distance in net for the Dukes. The only goal the Canucks managed to score was five on three with a pair of Dukes in the penalty box.

UP NEXT: ST. MIKE’S, HALIBURTON & TORONTO
The Buzzers get another crack at the Dukes on Thursday—this time in their own rink. On Friday, Wellington welcomes Haliburton County to town. In their only other meeting, the Dukes defeated the Huskies 3-1 early in October. Haliburton has won almost as many games as they have lost this season. They remain one of the more defensively minded squads, allowing an average of fewer than three goals per game.

On Sunday, the Dukes head to Etobicoke to tangle with the Toronto Junior Canadiens. In three previous meetings, Toronto has won two, the Dukes one. All have been close affairs. The Junior Canadiens have three wins in their last five games.