The Wellington Dukes set a new OJHL record in front of over 700 people on Friday night at Essroc Arena with Andrew Pearson getting the win in net stopping 24 shots.

            Anthony Taylor led the Dukes with two points to a 4-2 win against the North York Rangers. The win was the team’s 30^th  of the season, the 13^th consecutive year they have reached at least that total.  The Georgetown Raiders and the Oakville Blades have the second longest OJHL 30+ streak with six consecutive seasons.  The Dukes also hold the record for all Junior A teams based in Ontario Leagues (53 teams).

            The Dukes outshot the Rangers 21-9 in the first period but Rangers goalie Leo Podolsky shut the door keeping it a scoreless affair.

            North York opened the scoring with five minutes remaining in the second period. Three minutes later the Dukes tied the game on a powerplay goal from David Pratt for his fourth of the season from Elliot Richardson for his 31^st powerplay assist. The Dukes once again outshot the Rangers in the second frame 14-5.

            Craig Campbell scored his 11^th of the season three minutes into the third period from Anthony Taylor to make it a 2-1 game. The game was at it’s best with three minutes remaining. The Rangers put on the pressure to tie the game and Chris Smith scored with two minutes remaining.  Then, with just one minute left, Darcy Murphy scored his 46^th of the season to get the crowd on it’s feet. Cam Yuill and Ryan Donohoe had the assists as the Dukes took a 3 to 2 lead.

            Anthony Taylor sealed the victory with an empty net goal for his 11^th of the season from Guillaume Naud for a 4-2 win. North York outshot the Dukes 12-10 in the third period. Final shot count was 45-26 for the Dukes.

            With the win the Dukes are now tied for second in the East Division with 63 points.

            “I thought we played a consistent, strong sixty minutes,” said Dukes coach Marty Abrams. “We had a game plan and we stuck to it and eventually we were rewarded at the end. It wasn’t easy but I’m proud of the way the guys played,”

            The Dukes host the Kingston Voyageurs on Sunday night at the Duke Dome. Game time is 7:30 as the Dukes look to win their eighth straight!

Courtesy Logan Clow