DUKES CLAWED BY HUSKIES

Story by Brock Ormond

Photo: Ed McPherson/OJHL Images

A difficult loss against a divisional rival for the Wellington Dukes on Saturday.

David Campbell and Luke Lapalm scored in the third period, but the Dukes couldn’t overcome a stingy Haliburton County Huskies defence in a 4-2 loss.

Wellington carried the play a bit in a tight-checking opening frame, but produced no goals on 10 shots against Huskies goaltender Tyler Hodges.

Haliburton chipped in a pair of markers in the second thanks to Patrick Saini and Josh Sordo, before Campbell answered back with a laser wrist shot over Hodges right shoulder on a two-man advantage 6:22 into the third.

The Sault Ste. Marie native’s second of the year was set up by Jacob Vreugdenhil.

Haliburton weathered the storm on the penalty kill and Ty Collins jammed in what turned out to be the winning goal at 8:56.

Lapalm’s rebound goal at 13:03 from Julien Jacob and Edward Moskowitz was as close as Wellington would get. Despite a full press for an equalizer, the Dukes came up short, as Christian Stevens iced the game with an empty-netter in the late stages.

The Dukes will look for a turnaround game at home this afternoon, 2:30 against the Burlington Cougars.