Story by Brock Ormond
Photo: Ed McPherson/OJHL Images
The Wellington Dukes are kings of the OJHL’s East Division once again.
For the third straight season, the Dukes took the top spot in the ultra competitive five-team group with a convincing 6-1 triumph over the Lindsay Muskies on Friday night.
Prior to puck drop, the Dukes recognized their eight graduating players (Jaxen Boyer, David Campbell, Jacob Dietz, Julien Jacob, Nolan Mozer, Ryan Smith, Luke Strickland, and Jacob Vreugdenhil) with photos of themselves to hold as keepsakes.
Vreugdenhil also received a framed photo of his jersey for playing the most regular season games in Dukes history before the game.
It was a potential overager for next year that stole the show in the first period however.
After Corbin Roach answered a Braydon McCallum opening goal, Ed Moskowitz strung together a natural hat trick with his 29th, 30th and 31st of the season in a span of 4:47 to give the Dukes a 4-1 lead and they cruised from there.
Barret Joynt cashed in a powerplay marker for his 25th of the year in the second period, before Roach circled out in front of Lindsay goalie Yacine Chemrouk to bury his second of the night and finish the scoring.
Connor Hunt and Luke Lapalm contributed three assists each, while Matheson Mason played a strong all-around game, ending up with two helpers.
Jared Langdon also chipped in with a pair of assists and Ethan Morrow rebounded with a 31 save effort.
The Dukes improve to 36-12-3-2 on the year and will finish their home record at 19-5-2-1.
As the second seed in the Southeast Conference, the Dukes will face the 7th ranked St. Michael’s Buzzers in round 1 of the OJHL Buckland Cup Playoffs, with schedule to be determined next week.
Wellington will round out the regular season with a game in Oakville against former head coach Scott McCrory and the Blades on Saturday at 7 p.m.
