Story by Brock Ormond
Photo: Wellington Dukes/OJHL Images
The Wellington Dukes may have been outshot, but they weren’t outclassed by one of the OJHL’s best teams in the early goings of the season.
Two first period markers and 29 saves from Tre Altiman was all the Leamington Flyers needed to go to 7-0-0-1 in a 2-1 nipping of the Dukes on Tuesday night at the OJHL Governor’s Showcase.
Wellington put on a tight-checking effort right from the beginning against a Leamington team that have only lost once (in overtime) this season.
Colton Smith did get the Flyers on the board a little less than five minutes in on a shot that hit Jack Lisson’s elbow and went in.
One of the OJHL’s newest teams kept the pressure on throughout the period and capitalized on a Wellington boarding penalty.
Mason Landry took a Brody Cook feed and beat Lisson with a clean shot with over a minute to go in the stanza.
In the second frame, the Dukes sawed the deficit in half on a powerplay of their own when a Logan Sitlani shot hit a Leamington player and snuck under Altiman.
Alex Hendry drew his first assist/point as a Duke on the marker, with Zack Carrier picking up the other helper.
The third period was Wellington’s best, as the squad continued to hold off the Flyers and got a couple of decent looks on Altiman, but were ultimately held in check.
Lisson had a brilliant showing with 36 saves as Leamington outshot the Dukes 38-30.
Wellington (2-4) is right back at it Wednesday against the Caledon Admirals, with puck drop slated for 5 p.m.
