(Wellington Dukes defenceman Jonathan Balah was one of seven different goal scorers and one of five to record a multi-point game in a big 8-0 win over the Toronto Patriots on Saturday evening in Toronto. Photo by Shawn Muir/OJHL Images)
Story by Jeff Gard/Total Sports Quinte
A four-goal first period led to an 8-0 drubbing Saturday evening for the Wellington Dukes over the host Toronto Patriots in Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Westwood Arena.
Wellington had seven different goal scorers, including Emmet Pierce with two, and five players with two points while goaltender Carter Tahk made 30 saves in his Dukes debut to earn the shutout. The 20-year-old Tahk played in eight games earlier this season for the Cobourg Cougars, including a win over the Dukes. He’ll share the crease with Ethan Morrow with Matt Dunsmoor expected out until the new year.
Coming off a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in Wellington on Thursday night, the Dukes jumped out to a 2-0 lead Saturday with goals by Mason Reeves at 3:07 and Jacob Vreugdenhil at 4:13. Power-play goals by Jonathan Balah at 12:50 and Pierce at 16:12 provided Wellington the four-goal advantage heading out of the opening frame.
Scoring the second-period goals for the Dukes were Brodie McDougall at 2:08, Barret Joynt at 14:17 and Pierce at 14:54.
Jaxen Boyer, with his first goal of the season, rounded out the scoring for Wellington at the 8:04 mark of the third.
Harrison Ballard and David Campbell both recorded a pair of assists while Aaron Brown, Corbin Roach, Ethan Quick, Ethan Esposito, Balah and Vreugdenhil drew single helpers in the win over the Patriots (10-16-0-3)
Wellington (13-10-0-2) returns to action at home Sunday afternoon against the Lindsay Muskies (11-13-0-3). Game time is 2:30 p.m. at Lehigh Arena.
With four straight road games coming up, Sunday’s game is the last at home for the Dukes until Dec. 20, which will be the final contest before the holiday shutdown.