Story by Brock Ormond
Photo: Ed McPherson/OJHL Images
Photo: Tyler Tsoukalas got the Dukes off to a strong start with his first OJHL goal en route to a 5-2 win over the North York Rangers on Tuesday.
The Wellington Dukes rode a fast start and a strong powerplay to a road victory against the North York Rangers on Tuesday afternoon.
Three first period tallies and three goals with the man advantage lifted the Dukes to a 5-2 win at the Herb Carnegie Arena.
The Rangers were coming off a double overtime tie the previous night in Cobourg and the Dukes took advantage of their tired legs by popping in their three goals on 22 shots in the opening frame in under nine minutes.
Tyler Tsoukalas buried the rebound from a Colin Smith shot on a powerplay for his first goal as a Duke, then Ethan Murray cashed in 29 seconds later for his third of the season.
Ben Vreugdenhil squeezed in his sixth of the year with a man up to chase North York starter Dylan Dewachter from the net.
Amir Valiullin stemmed the Wellington tide, only allowing one goal at 3:21 of the second from Cory Jewitt and slamming the door the rest of the way.
Charlie Hotles and Matthew Babiy scored to pull North York within two, but the Dukes kept themselves ahead and capped off the win with a Logan Sitlani empty-netter.
Jewitt, Vreugdenhil and Sitlani all finished with a goal and an assist each, while Ryan Schaap registered a pair of helpers.
Smith, Alex Hendry, Cole Ellis, Zander Latreille and Jared McNeil added single helpers.
Noah Davis made 21 saves for his first win in his Dukes debut after a trade from the SIJHL, as Wellington outshot North York 53-23.
The Dukes draw back to .500 at 5-5 on the season ahead of another road tilt with the Markham Royals at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.