The gutsy Wellington Dukes found another victory versus a difficult opponent.
In a game that got chippy at times, the Dukes pulled away from the Milton Menace in their only trip this season to the ‘Madhouse’ on Tuesday night, winning 5-3.
Jordan Mayo led the Dukes with a pair of goals to help the Dukes soar to a 4-1-1 on the season.
Milton broke the seal on the game’s scoring with a quick strike on a powerplay backhander nine seconds in from Paul Mazanik at 6:42.
Chris Soares beat Dryden Riley just over two minutes into the second stanza, but the gritty Dukes managed to turn things around fairly quickly.
About a minute-and-a-half later, the Dukes answered on a powerplay.
For the second time in as many games, Oliver Coyle hit the net with a turnaround shot that eluded Austin McKillop on a powerplay at the 3:34 mark.
The Menace’s penalty trouble continued in the frame, with back-to-back infractions leading to a Mayo goal on the ensuing five-on-three powerplay, accepting a pass off the rush and beating McKillop under the catching arm for his second of the season.
Wellington ended up taking the lead through a Landon Marleau goal after a five-minute major was assessed to Dallys Hibbert for a high stick to the face of Zach Mascard.
After missing on a close try, the Los Gatos, California product got another chance on a pass behind the net from Jordan Mayo and he didn’t miss on the second effort, burying his fifth of the year with less than 90 seconds left in the period.
The Menace largely managed to weather the storm and score a game-tying goal while four-on-four through a Luca Spano goal, but the Dukes fortunately returned to the five-on-three powerplay after a tripping penalty and a bench minor were called against Milton.
Mayo stuffed home a Mascard feed out of a cycle for his second of the night at to re-establish the lead that the visitors would hold on to for good.
Sammy Longo’s fourth of the season in the dying seconds from Mascard iced the win and handed Milton its first loss of the season.
Riley was outstanding again in helping the Dukes erase a two-goal deficit for a second straight game, making 39 saves.
Wellington returns home for a matchup with the winless North York Rangers at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
