The October struggles continue for the Wellington Dukes.
Wellington stayed close through two periods, but the Stouffville Spirit broke away with five unanswered third period tallies to run off with an 8-2 victory on Thanksgiving Monday.
The Dukes have now lost six in a row and have allowed 32 goals over that span.
Zack Carrier buried his 12th of the year late in the first to respond after Stouffville went up 2-0 from Kyle Kavc.
Stouffville restored the two-goal bulge through a Jacob Martineau powerplay goal, but Zach Mascard gritted his way to a buzzer-beater on Wellington’s own man advantage from Carrier and Ethan Murray to close the gap again and give the Dukes a flash of hope.
That would end up being quickly dashed though, thanks to the Spirit’s lethal offensive wave.
Hudson Armstrong scored twice, with Martineau, Nate Taylor and Jack Dean all finding the net as well to give the Spirit the decision.
Royden Smith made 37 saves as Stoufffville more than doubled the Dukes in shots, 45-20.
Wellington will be back in the friendlier confines of Lehigh Arena on Friday, looking to break out of its slump versus the Newmarket Hurricanes, who are making their first visit to Prince Edward County since 2018.
Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
(BROCK ORMOND)
