Story by Brock Ormond
Photo: OJHL Images/Wellington Dukes
Captain Jacob Vreugdenhil potted his first three goals of the season to lift the Wellington Dukes to a 7-1 win at the Governor’s Showcase in Cobourg over the Caledon Admirals.
Vreugdenhil added two assists for a five-point game, Ryan Smith contributed three points and David Campbell added two helpers in the victory.
The Dukes got the ball rolling with three straight tallies in the first. Erik MacNeil beat Caledon goalie Cale McWilliams on a setup by Will Mitchell and Connor Paronuzzi, before Jared Langdon jammed in his first career OJHL goal.
Jaxen Boyer and Connor Hunt helped the 15-year-old from Belleville get his first point in junior hockey.
Despite some brilliant saves by McWilliams, a spectacular passing play on the man advantage gave Vreugdenhil his first tally of the year before the end of the first frame.
Smith and Vreugdenhil tacked on two more powerplay markers in the second to increase the lead to 5-0.
Tyler Bortkiewicz broke Jacob Osborne’s shutout in the opening minute of the third period, but the Dukes shook it off quickly when Edward Moskowitz ripped home a shot off the rush to reestablish Wellington’s five-goal lead.
Vreugdenhil and Connor Hunt picked up assists on the goal, then the Belleville native completed his hat trick late in the period by poking in a loose puck with McWilliams out of position.
The Dukes dominant effort gave them a third win on the season. Osborne didn’t face a lot of rubber, but still made 15 saves in picking up his first OJHL win.
Wellington doubled Caledon in shots, 52-16.
Wellington has a day off before taking on the St. Michael’s Buzzers at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
