The Wellington Dukes first visit back to Newmarket in 6 years was not a pleasant one on Saturday.
The host Hurricanes jumped on the Dukes early and finished strong in a 6-2 win.
After getting shutout in each of their first two games at home, the Hurricanes managed to break through against the Dukes when Joel Taylor took a short feed from Nathan Phillips and wired a high shot over the left shoulder of Colby Booth-Housego at 11:30 of the opening frame.
That sparked two more consecutive markers from Lucas Preiano (on the powerplay) and Nathan Phillips to increase the ‘Canes lead.
16 seconds after the 3-0 goal, Zack Carrier stuffed in a wraparound to give the Dukes something positive to take into the dressing room.
The 18-year-old forward’s eighth of the year was assisted by Ethan Murray and Sacha Trudel.
Phillips beat Colby Booth-Housego for his second of the game on the powerplay at 12:40 of the second, but Wellington kept pace on a chip shot by Beckham Brooks for his second of the season, assisted by Ethan Fredericks.
That second brief flash of hope was dashed quickly by a motivated Newmarket squad in the first half of the third, with Ben Bowen scoring to expand the hosts’ lead back to three once again before Chase Yanni put an empty-netter home to send the Canes to victory.
Newmarket outshot Wellington 39-30 in handing the Prince Edward County club their second loss of the season in nine games.
The Dukes return to the road on Tuesday for a visit to Herb Carnegie Arena in North York at 4:30 p.m.
(BROCK ORMOND)
