Story by Brock Ormond
The Toronto Jr. Canadiens are the best team in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for a good reason – and they proved their mettle on Friday in Wellington.
The visitors came into Lehigh Arena and dropped the Dukes 5-2 to pick up their 26th win in their 31st game this season.
A wild first period saw five goals put home, three by Toronto and two by Wellington.
Tyler Fukakusa wasted no time in burying the opening goal 1:16 into the first on a partial breakaway, then Matt Wilde pushed the lead to 2-0 on a redirection.
With the Dukes on the powerplay, Connor Hunt snapped home his 11th of the season on a centering pass from Ed Moskowitz at 16:01, with Jared Langdon adding a secondary assist.
Owen Saye popped in the third Toronto goal before Jacob Vreugdenhil snapped a rising shot off Toronto goaltender James Norton’s left shoulder and into the top corner.
Moskowitz and David Campbell contributed to the Dukes second powerplay marker and Vreugdenhil’s 18th of the year.
Despite a strong effort in the second and third periods, the Dukes were stifled offensively.
A Graeme McCauley post in the second frame was Wellington’s best opportunity to score.
The Jr. Canadiens sealed the win with a pair of empty-net markers in the third.
Jacob Osborne was solid in net despite the loss, making 27 saves.
Wellington falls to 20-7-2-1 on the season and have now lost consecutive games for the first time since October 1st and 2nd.
The Dukes are in Mississauga for a date with the Chargers on Saturday at 7:45 p.m.
