It's Game Day! The Dukes travel to Milton for their first ever matchup with the Milton Menace today at 3:30PM. You can catch the game on 99.3 County FM with Craig Foster( Ed McPherson/OJHL Images)#ShopPEC #ShopBayOfQuinte #GameDay #Wellington #DukesArmy
A four-goal lead wasn't so safe for the Wellington Dukes in their home and season opener Friday night, but a late goal by a returning player salvaged a victory.A Dylan Massie wrist shot from the high slot found its way to the net with less than 30 seconds left and the Dukes eked out a 6-5 win over the Brampton Admirals to start 2019-20 off on the right foot.The customary player intros and ceremonial puck drop did little to throw the host Dukes off, as Ben Addison floated a long wrist shot through a crowd in front of Admirals goalie Travis Smith just 29 seconds in to get them on the board. Jake Gagnon drew the only assist on Addison's first regular season goal in the OJHL.It didn't take long afterwards for both teams to ramp up the physical play, as Deacon Holmes of Brampton and Ben Evans of the Dukes threw a couple of massive hits each.Wellington added to its lead later in the period, as Shannonville native Landon McLellan completed a three-on-two rush with Colton Hayes and Barret Joynt for his first OJHL goal. McLellan's wrist shot cleanly beat Smith, who was screened out by the rookie Joynt. Wellington completed a dominant period by outshooting Brampton 15-9.The good play carried over into the second, as Evan Miller capitalized on a powerplay for his first marker as a Duke on a criss-cross passing sequence with Jacob Breckles at the blueline. Daniel Panetta added the secondary assist on the goal at 7:40. Just over halfway through the period, Addison and Gagnon worked a quick cycle in the corner, and Gagnon hit Frank Vitucci with a perfect backdoor pass that was converted easily by the Yardley, Pennsylvania native.Brampton was able to solve Matt Keeley, who had been steady through almost two full periods, with two quick powerplay goals by Christos Rodis.With all the momentum in their corner, the Admirals came out on fire in the third, dominating zone time and striking twice in under a minute to tie the score. Michael Hill capitalized on a crease scramble and Patrick Del Vecchio beat Keeley with a wrist shot from the hashmarks to turn the game into a close battle.Evans, returning to Wellington after a year with the Jr. B Niagara Falls Canucks, scored his first goal at the 10:23 mark, sliding in a crisp pass from Ben Woodhouse on another man-advantage, which almost ended up making the difference.Kory Silverio had other plans however. The Admirals forward banked in a shot off Keeley after the puck ricocheted off the end boards to knot the score at five with 58 seconds remaining in regulation and it appeared that the game was destined for overtime.Massie put an end to that notion just 37 seconds later, taking a Gagnon pass in the high slot and searing a wrister off the post and in behind Smith to give the Dukes the tally that would finally put away the pesky Admirals for good.A balanced offensive attack and 32 saves from Keeley in earning his first win in junior hockey was enough to lift the Dukes to victory.Derek Smith also earned his first win as head coach.Final shots favoured Wellington 42-37.Next up for the Dukes is a date on the road with the inaugural Milton Menace (formerly the Newmarket Hurricanes) at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
It's GAME DAY! The OJHL Wellington Dukes season opener is tonight at the Lehigh Arena. Game starts at 7:30 pm. The Dukes have been rated in the top 20 teams in all of the CJHL. Going to be a great season. Still time to purchase your season tickets. Lots of great events this season! Let's go DUKES! Photo credit to Ed McPherson OJHL images. #dukesarmy #ojhldukes #ojhl #bayofquinte #wellington #shoppec #shopbayofquinte
The Lady Dukes are in action this weekend in a pre-season tournament at the Lehigh Arena in Wellington. Great time to watch the ladies and inspire that young hockey player in your household! The collaboration of the Belleville Bearcats and the Wellington Dukes associations, has created a fantastic opportunity for women's hockey. Get out this weekend and watch a game! Canteen is open! #supportlocal #OJHLDukes #LadyDukes #bayofquinte #shopbayofquinte
