The Wellington Dukes are officially off the slide.

After dropping a tough 2-1 decision to the soaring Leamington Flyers at their first game of the 2024 Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Governor’s Showcase in Niagara Falls Sept. 24, Wellington were able to make some hay against the Caledon Admirals, toppling the Ads 7-1. The victory snapped Wellington’s three game losing streak.

On Saturday, Wellington was able to build on their momentum at Westwood Arena as they quelled the Toronto Patriots 5-2. The game was a testy affair in the third as both teams beat a steady path to the sin bin. Zach Mascard, Corey Jewitt and Cole Ellis all doffed the gloves in a line brawl early in the period.

For the Dukes, a dose of aggression might be just what doctor ordered as they come home off a lengthy road run with a mixed bag of results. The team is 4-4-0 and sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Admirals Sunk

The Dukes were able to easily outpace the opponents from Caledon. Mr. Mascard opened the scoring in the first and Wellington added three more in the second thanks to Sacha Trudel (2) and Zander Latrielle. The only blemish on Jack Lisson’s night came midway through the frame as Nasser Abou-Marie cashed in a power play goal for the Seamen.

In the third, Wellington poured it on as Ben Vreugdenhil counted twice while Jared McNeil added a power play tally. Mr Mascard had a spirited dance with Caledon’s Dylan Kelly and came within an assist of a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

Patriots Deflated

On Sept. 28, Wellington managed to get ahead and stay ahead of the Pats to hand Toronto just their second loss of the season.

Mr. McNeil would break a 1-1 tie by skating to the slot off a rush and firing a puck past Alex Levshyn. Mr. McNeil’s fourth of the campaign with less than two minutes left in the middle frame gave Wellington a lead they would never relinquish.

Logan Klaiber’s power play point blast at 10:57 of the third was a timely piece of insurance for Wellington as they extended to a 3-1 lead.

But the Pats came back later in the frame to push the visitors. Cole Emerton’s fourth of the season at 17:10 that made it 3-2 in favour of the Dukes. The Patriots chose to lift Mr. Levshyn off the ensuing faceoff for an extra attacker but a turnover by Toronto allowed Ryan Schapp to send the puck into a yawning cage at 17:32 to make it 4-2.

Mr. Trudel would bag a second empty netter for the Dukes in the late going to make it 5-2.

Mr. Lisson made 33 stops for his fourth win of the year.

After a seven day pause, the Dukes are back in action at Lehigh Arena on Sunday against the Collingwood Blues. Puck drop is 2 p.m.