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Three third period goals by the Pembroke Lumber Kings sealed the fate of the Wellington Dukes in a 5-1 contest Wednesday night at Lehigh Arena.The Central Canada Hockey League club broke out on top first when Brady Egan roofed a short-side shot over the right shoulder of Garrett Boyonoski just over three minutes into the game.The Lumber Kings continued to control the pace for much of the remainder of the first period and the second, and the Dukes were stymied at the offensive end by 20-year old netminder Darian McTavish.Egan buried his second of the game for the eventual game-winner seven minutes into the middle frame, but Wellington would get one back before the end of the period. Kanata native Brian Bygrave, who has played parts of the last four seasons in the CCHL, was the beneficiary of a Dawson Ellis feed from behind the Pembroke net. The Campbellford product beat a Lumber Kings defender to the puck and set up Bygrave in front, who slipped the puck past Reece Proulx, who took over for McTavish in net halfway the period. The goal came with four minutes left in the frame and was also assisted by Ryan Smith.Unfortunately for the Dukes, the momentum didn't carry over into the third and the Lumber Kings would score a pair of powerplay goals on rebounds after Kyle Renaud had made a series of saves without much help from his defence in front. Egan later rounded out the scoring with a beautiful individual effort to deke out Renaud and pot his hat trick goal.The Dukes will try and rebound Friday night when they welcome in the arch-rival Trenton Golden Hawks to Lehigh Arena at 7:30 p.m. for their second and final preseason home game.

The Wellington Dukes were back on the ice at Lehigh Arena for the second day of their Main Training Camp on Sunday and another speedy and competitive pair of scrimmages.Game 1 saw Team Dark Blue trim Team Red 4-3, with 19-year old returnee Ben Woodhouse standing out once again. He scored twice in the game, including a beautiful goal where he transferred a pass from his backhand to his forehand while close to the net and deked around goaltender Garrett Boyonoski to score. 16-year old Kingston product Barret Joynt had another solid game as well, notching a goal by putting the puck between his legs and beating Boyonoski along the ice. Both Jamiesons (Aaron and Evan) and returning defenceman Brett Humberstone also stood out on the roster.For Team Red, Boyonoski was steady in goal, veteran Dawson Ellis displayed good speed and tenacity up front, newcomer Gabe Anderson was dangerous in the offensive zone and Tim Washburn delivered several punishing hits.In the afternoon game, Team Light Blue defeated Team White 7-4 on the strength of an Evan Miller hat trick. The Niagara-on-the-Lake native potted 23 goals last season in the Greater Ontario Junior B League and showed his prowess in the threatening offensive areas.The performances of second-year Duke Frank Vitucci, Colton Hayes, local product Derrick Vos and Jake Burke all highlighted the victory as well for Light Blue.Tanner Tolliver and Jake Gagnon were both bright spots up front for Team White. Tolliver made an outstanding defensive play to take away a penalty shot from an opposing player and Gagnon showed off a quick release with his shot from between the hashmarks for a goal in the game.

Just shy of four months after the Wellington Dukes came up short in their bid to defend their 2018 OJHL Buckland Cup title, the team returned to the ice at Lehigh Arena in pursuit of another championship at on Saturday for their 2019 Main Training Camp.More than 60 players hit the ice for four fast and competitive scrimmage games for coaching staff and management evaluation.In the morning games, Team White took a 5-3 victory over Team Red and Team Dark Blue edged Team Light Blue 2-1 in a shootout.In the afternoon contests, Team Dark Blue won another game via the shootout, this time defeating Team White 4-3, while Team Light Blue blanked Team Red 4-0.Team Dark Blue saw several solid performances, with Ben Woodhouse and Ben Evans leading the charge, scoring a pair of goals each and dominating puck position throughout the day. Also up front, 2001-born Toronto Marlboros Midget AAA prospect Abiyasi Abiyasi displayed a good two-way game, and 16-year old forwards Barret Joynt and Ben White also showed well with their speed and skill. Returning defencemen Brett Humberstone and Quinn Hanna showed good progression and Picton Pirates rearguard Cooper Rogers was also steady on the back end. Goaltenders Ethan Fraser and Nolan Lalonde combined to allow four goals in the two games between the pipes.On Team Light Blue, returning 19-goal man Frank Vitucci upped his physicality while retaining his high offensive IQ in the good scoring areas. American-born forward Colton Hayes and Quinte Red Devils graduate Nick Kirby-Palliser also stood out on the forward group.Jake Burke and Spencer Schons were noticeable for their grit and sandpaper on the backend and local product Derrick Vos also performed well.Matt Keeley was outstanding in the net, posting the day's only shutout and looking very sound and quick on his feet.Returnees Daniel Panetta and Dawson Ellis paced the attack for Team Red, along with fellow veteran Ryan Smith up front. Ben Addison was rock solid on the blueline, while Will Carpenter, Gabe Anderson and Nathaniel Burelle also turned in good showings.For Team White, returning forward Dylan Massie displayed advanced creativity and speed while playing on a dangerous offensive unit that included former Millbrook Prep school standout Jake Gagnon and pesky former GOJHL top forward Evan Miller.16-year old locals Luke Lapalm (Quinte Red Devils Minor Midget AAA) and Chad Muller (Greater Kingston Jr. Frontenacs Minor Midget) competed well against older competition and other solid performances came from Tanner Tolliver, ex-Cobourg Cougar and Stouffville Spirit defender Jacob Breckles and goaltender Kyle Renaud.The Dukes training camp continues Sunday with games at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. before the Dukes Main Camp All-Star Game from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday evening at the Duke Dome. A reminder that the game is free admission.

Our Exhibition Schedule has been released! Be sure to catch all the action as we look for the next great crop of future Dukes

A Wellington Dukes alumnus is heading to Northern Ireland for the upcoming 2019-20 season.Liam Reddox, 33, will suit up for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom.Reddox played with Wellington during the team's first championship season in 2002-03, racking up 64 points in 45 games, before joining the Ontario Hockey League's Peterborough Petes for three seasons.He went on to play parts of three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL, and then went to Sweden to play with the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Elite League for eight seasons.Reddox will hit the ice with the Giants next month in preseason action.The Dukes organization would like to wish Reddox good luck as he heads off to the next phase of his hockey career.Photo Credit: Hockeydb.com