The first real busy run of play of the season for the Wellington Dukes worked out decently well this past weekend.
The Dukes won the three-in-three weekend with two victories, the second of which came on Sunday at Lehigh Arena over the Markham Royals, 3-1.
Wellington brought some energy after a late return trip home from Lindsay the night before, killing off an early penalty and grabbing the lead on Beckham Brooks’ first of the season.
Christian Armstrong and Blake Berthiaume creatively set up the goal for Whitby, Ontario’s first as a Duke at the 5:26 mark.
Philip Govedaris shot out of a cannon off a defensive zone faceoff and buried a wrist shot past Colby Booth-Housego for the equalizer at 14:06, but the Dukes goaltender sealed the net from that point on in his second straight start.
The depth scoring continued with Quinn McNamara sweeping a loose puck through Markham netminder Crosby Dacosta on a powerplay for his first of the year and eventual game-winner.
Assists went to Zach Mascard and Evan Erwin.
Vince Albanese added key insurance at with his second goal in as many games after having a loose puck squirt out to him off a check from Zack Carrier behind the net.
Carrier and Sacha Trudel’s assists extended their respective point streaks to seven games to start the season.
Booth-Housego had the quietest game of his three so far in terms of shots, but still made 21 stops to improve the Dukes to 6-1 on the opening month of the season.
The Dukes will welcome Haliburton County to the Duke Dome Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.
(BROCK ORMOND)
