Whenever the Dukes and Whitby Fury meet, it’s always a close game.  Coming into Friday night’s game, their past four meetings all decided by just one goal, three of them being in overtime.

            The 665 in attendance were treated to a close 1-1 game until the Dukes broke out for five goals in the third period earning goalie Jared Lockhurst another win with the team, making 30 saves.

            Guilliaume Naud scored his 19^th of the season on the powerplay late in the first period. Anthony Taylor and Darcy Murphy added the assists for the only goal going into the second period. The Dukes outshot the Fury13-12.

            Jack Lewis scored for the Fury eight minutes into the second period on the powerplay with Dukes defenceman Kyllian Kirkwood in the box for hooking. The Fury’s three goals of the game all came on the powerplay going three for six. The Fury outshot the Dukes 13-4 going into the second intermission with a tied game at one.

            Elliot Richardson got the crowd back into it six minutes into the third period with his seventh of the season on the powerplay. Murphy and Naud had the assists. The Dukes potted four more goals- Naud with his second powerplay goal of the night and 20th of the season, Jan Kaminsky and Cam Yuill  also had goals. Darcy Murphy added an empty netter for his 45^th of the season to seal a 6-3 victory.

            The Dukes outshot the Fury 14-8 in the third period. Final shot count was 33-31 in favour of the Fury. The Dukes went 3 for 4 on the powerplay.

            Head Coach Marty Abrams was pleased with the Dukes effort.

            “I thought we had a good first period, but they took it to us in the second. In the third period we found our legs and played solid. We directed the puck on net and that was our game plan and we did that in the third period. The difference in the game was Lockhurst . He was sharp.”

            Abrams says he doesn’t expect an easy game on Sunday when the Dukes travel to take on the Muskies.

            The game had a later then normal starting time as a fantastic ceremony was held to honour one of the greatest Dukes Fan in history, Mr. Foster Bailey.

            The next Dukes home game at Essroc Arena is January 27^th when North York visits for a 7:30 start.

Courtesy: Logan Clow