Story by Jeff Gard/Total Sports Quinte
The Wellington Dukes have evened the Hasty P’s Cup series against the Trenton Golden Hawks at two games apiece.
All four results have favoured the visiting team so far as the Dukes scored three unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Golden Hawks 4-1 on Sunday night in the Ontario Junior Hockey League game at the Duncan McDonald Memorial Gardens in Trenton. The announced attendance was 600.
Now halfway through the eight-game showdown, the Golden Hawks won twice in Wellington in October before the Dukes earned a victory in Trenton in November prior to Sunday night’s win.
Sam D’Amico opened the scoring with the lone goal for the Golden Hawks at the 9:11 mark of Sunday’s contest in a game the Dukes only trailed for less than three minutes. Ethan Quick responded for Wellington with a power-play goal at 12:15 of that opening frame, assisted by Jonathan Balah and Emmet Pierce.
The score remained 1-1 until midway through the third period when the Dukes tallied three goals less three minutes apart, including two quick ones by Pierce in a span of just 22 seconds at 10:17 and 10:39. David Campbell drew the lone assist on both goals and also earned a helper as did Balah when Jacob Vreugdenhil scored on a power play at 13:11.
Goaltender Carter Tahk made 32 saves to earn the win in net for the Dukes while Trenton’s William Nguyen also had a busy night, stopping 33 of the 37 shots he faced in a losing cause.
Trenton will host three games this week before the holiday break, including Wednesday against the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Friday against the Mississauga Chargers and Sunday against the Lindsay Muskies. Puck drop for all three games is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Dukes return to action Saturday in Toronto against the Patriots at 7:30 p.m. They return home for their final game before the holiday break on Monday, Dec. 20 against the Caledon Admirals. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Lehigh Arena.
HASTY P’S CUP SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 15: Trenton 7 Wellington 4
Sunday, Oct. 31: Trenton 5 Wellington 3
Friday, Nov. 12: Wellington 6 Trenton 3
Sunday, Dec. 12: Wellington 4 Trenton 1
Sunday, Jan. 23: Wellington at Trenton, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 30: Trenton at Wellington, 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 25, Trenton at Wellington, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 5, Wellington at Trenton, 3 p.m.