Three second period goals did damage to the Wellington Dukes in a 4-2 loss to the Aurora Tigers on Friday night.
After a goalless first, Aurora got on the board courtesy of Tommy Nitsopoulos, who went upstairs off a perfectly feathered pass from Max Skinner.
Skinner then benefited from a hard stop right in front of the Aurora crease on Jayden Levesque, resulting in a tally for the OJHL’s rookie leader in goals at the other end.
Sebastian Catalano aced a shot along the ice through Dryden Riley for his first goal of the season in the later proceedings of the period to up the lead to 3-0.
Aurora continued their grip on the game with a 4-0 goal courtesy of Thomas Leone early in the third, but Wellington did offer a pushback.
Presley Kelly blasted a one-timer off a feed from Levesque at 9:35 on a powerplay for his fourth of the year to cut the deficit to three, before Justin Doak, who added the second assist on that marker, floated in a goal of his own, unassisted to increase the comeback threat.
Former Duke Colby Booth-Housego stood tall the rest of the night, finishing with 38 saves against his old team, while Riley made 24 saves, as the Tigers handed the Dukes their first regulation home loss of the season.
The Dukes will sit on this loss for a week until their next home affair next Friday, November 6 versus the St. Michael’s Buzzers at 7:30 p.m.
