Story by Brock Ormond
Photo: Wellington Dukes/OJHL Images
The Wellington Dukes put forth another workmanlike effort away from home in a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Jr. Canadiens on Monday afternoon.
Cory Jewitt’s shorthanded marker early in the third period stood as the difference in Wellington’s third straight victory.
Jack Lisson’s strong play once again kept the Dukes in the game and then eventually helped to put them ahead. The Oakville native made 33 stops in the win.
The Dukes opened the scoring early, when in the dying seconds of a powerplay, Jared McNeil poked home a loose puck off a rebound from Toronto goaltender Daniel Dirracolo at 3:40 of the first.
McNeil, hungry for a goal after getting denied no fewer than three times on Grade-A quality chances on Friday in Markham, picked up his fifth of the year from Tyler Tsoukalas and Logan Sitlani.
Wellington held the one-goal lead until the late minutes of the second frame, when Jacob Crisp capitalized quick off a faceoff and beat Lisson high over the left shoulder for the tying marker.
The Dukes game-winner came out of a strong penalty kill forecheck on an early third period slashing minor by Ben Vreugdenhil, with Zach Mascard forcing Dirracolo off the puck off of a clear by Colin Smith and setting up Jewitt for the open-netter.
Jewitt’s seventh of the year came at 1:46 of the third.
A hard push by Toronto came up short in the end, with Ryan Schaap potting Wellington’s third goal into an empty net with assistance from Jewitt and Mascard.
The Dukes improve to 7-5 with the win and continue to be competitive in a tight East Conference.
They will play another team that has been right in the mix this season, the Stouffville Spirit at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Lehigh Arena.
