Story by Brock Ormond
Another preseason has come and gone, as the Wellington Dukes prepare for the upcoming 2022-23 OJHL season.
The defending East Division champions picked up a few wins as they cycled in potential candidates for the roster in a competitive five games,
Below are brief breakdowns of each game.
Mon, August 22 @ Cobourg Cougars L 5-4 (OT)
The first preseason game of the 2022-23 OJHL season had some dramatics in the late stages, but the Wellington Dukes came out on the losing end.
After newcomer Zander Latreille tied the game with one second left on the clock in the third period, Parker Hendsbee buried the overtime winner under two minutes into the extra frame for a 5-4 Cobourg Cougars victory on Monday night.
Toronto native Edward Moskowitz had a big game with two goals and an assist in the losing cause, while returning forward Corbin Roach chipped in with a pair of helpers.
Ex-Niagara Falls Canuck Ethan Walker had the other Dukes goal and Quinte Red Devils defenceman Jared Wooley picked up the other assist.
Ethan Morrow (12 saves on 14 shots) and prospect Nolan Lane (15 saves on 18 shots) split the net in the game.
Fri, August 26 vs Cobourg Cougars W 3-1
The Dukes got the Cougars back with a 3-1 victory on Friday.
A fast-paced first period saw Edward Moskowitz score his third goal in two preseason games by burying a Corbin Roach pass in front of the net. Tyler Alexander drew the other assist.
Jaxen Boyer put the Dukes up by two 6:42 into the second frame when he took a long pass from Zander Latreille and beat Cobourg goalie Matthew Sbrocca off the glove hand.
Creo Solomon added the secondary helper.
Parker Hendsbee got one goal back for the Cougars later in the period, one-timing a Jacob Gilbert pass through Brady Spry, but that is as close as Cobourg got.
Wellington barred the door with a couple of penalty kills in a somewhat chippy third period, before David Campbell was sprung loose for the insurance marker in the final minute.
Jacob Vreugdenhil and Boyer notched the assists on the overage forward’s first of the preseason.
Both Wellington goaltenders were solid, with Jacob Osborne and Spry combining for 20 saves on 21 shots.
Wed, August 31 vs Smiths Falls Bears W 3-0
The Dukes turned in a solid defensive effort in the first of two interleague games with the Central Canada Hockey League’s Smiths Falls Bears.
Jacob Osborne and Brady Spry split the shutout with a combined 24 saves and two first period goals from Moskowitz and Michael Patrick was all they would need to get the victory.
Latreille put the game away at 3:18 of the third period for his second of the preseason.
Ryan Smith and Luke Johnston drew helpers in the contest.
Fri, September 2 @ Smiths Falls Bears W 3-2
The Wellington Dukes needed a come-from-behind effort to secure the home-and-home sweep of the Bears.
Two third period goals from Moskowitz gave the Dukes a 3-2 edging of the Bears on the road.
Xavier Brooks added his first tally for Wellington and an assist, while David Campbell also chipped in with a pair of helpers.
Jacob Osborne made 39 saves for the victory.
Sat, September 3 vs Georgetown Raiders L 4-2
The Wellington Dukes rounded out their preseason with a home loss on Saturday.
Jared Langdon and Zander Latreille scored for Wellington in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Georgetown Raiders.
Assists were credited to Connor Hunt, Jaxen Boyer, Graeme McCauley and Ryan Smith.
Ethan Morrow returned from OHL Sudbury Wolves camp to make 26 saves in the loss.
Wellington edged the Raiders 31-30 in shots.
The Dukes finish the exhibition portion of their season at 3-2 and will rest until Friday, when they welcome the Lindsay Muskies to Lehigh Arena for their home and season opener.
