If a hockey fan really wants to take in a game where they don’t know what will happen next, preseason is where the thrills are.

Sure, a hotly contested, fiercely battled deciding playoff game raises the heart rate, flushes the face and stimulates the senses.

But if you want to ride a roller coaster of momentum, check out an exhibition contest for a junior squad. That’s where the thrills are. Young players, trying desperately to impress General Managers and Coaches, many thrown together in competition for the first time.

You will see gambles that pay off and gaffes that cost dearly all in the same shift. Mistakes that lead to scoring chances you will never see in a typical mid-season affair.

Tuned Up

Controlled chaos on rails. That’s the best way to describe the Wellington Dukes and their two game tune up against the Trenton Golden Hawks. At the Dukedome August 23, Wellington led the Golden Hawks at home 3-2 past the halfway point in the game only to drop a 6-3 affair.

The following night at the Hanger in Trenton, Sammy Longo redirected a Blake Berthiuame feed 25 seconds into the third period to square the affair at 3-3. The Dukes had chances to pull ahead in the opening half of the stanza but the hosts were able to score at will in the back half of the frame, lighting the lamp five times en route to an 8-4 win.

These young Dukes were there with the Hawks stride-for-stride. Until they weren’t.

“On Saturday, I really liked our compete level and our physicality. We battled and those are always fun games against arch rivals,” the coach said. “On Sunday, we went with a young group and we got away from discipline. A veteran club like Trenton will kill you on special teams every time and they took full advantage.”

Leading up to the two preseason games, Wellington scrimmaged, preferring inter squad contests to structured practices. When asked how much time the team spent on special teams play and systems, Mr. Panetta said “About five minutes.”

Trenton went 5/15 on the power play over the weekend and notched a shorthanded goal to boot. Wellington came up empty on their 14 power play opportunities.

“We knew going in that most guys would be rusty on special teams. This week and next will be about really driving home what kind of structure and systems fits this team and drilling it into them,” the coach added.

In the Game

On Saturday, it was the Hawks taking the play to Wellington early, potting a pair of goals in the opening five minutes. Zach Carrier carved into the Trenton lead at the 14:25 mark of the first with a nifty unassisted effort.

After getting outshot in the opening frame, the Dukes turned the tables on the visitors in the second. Veteran Sacha Trudel set up Whitby native Beckham Brooks at 4:01 to tie the game at 2-2.

Mr. Trudel picked up his second helper of the period as he and Mr. Carrier set up Maxime Morin at 13:23 to give the locals their first lead of the contest.

Wellington was looking for more on a power play with just over five minutes left in the frame but one of those aforementioned momentum swings was in the offing. Trenton’s Nate Taylor stripped a Wellington defender at the blue line and was off to the races on a shorthanded breakaway. The Jr. A veteran made no mistake, tucking a backhand tap in past Wellington’s Royden Smith with five minutes left in the second to tie up the game 3-3.

Wellington compounded their troubles late in the frame with an untimely slashing minor and Trenton’s power play unit cut through the Dukes with ease. Veteran Taeo Artichuk, author of an 89 point season last year, fired home the game winner with 2:38 left.

Wellington took a pair of penalties in the third and Trenton would click on both opportunities to win the contest going away.

Young goalie shines

The second verse was much like the first. On Sunday, Trenton’s veteran laden lineup flexed their muscles late in the game. In addition to Mr. Longo’s game tying tally early in the third, Wellington got goals from Brodie Pithie, Ashton Ferell and Cameron Mack.

The emerging story line for the Dukes was the first half appearance of Oshawa native Nolan Hardy. Mr. Hardy, 15, starred for the Toronto Marlboros U15 squad last season. He made 19 saves in about 30 minutes of work. As a 2010-birth year player, Mr. Hardy would only be eligible to affiliate with Wellington this season.

The Dukes will now prepare for their season opener. They host Trenton Sunday, September 7 at 2:30 p.m.