Story by Brock Ormond
Photo: Wellington Dukes/OJHL Images
Getting off to a fast start was the impetus for the Wellington Dukes to roll to an 8-2 pounding of the Cobourg Cougars on Friday night.
Lehigh Arena was certainly rocking early thanks to four unanswered markers in the first almost 13 minutes of the opening frame, including two from Ryan Schaap and singles from Jared McNeil and Zander Latreille.
Michael Desousa answered with two quick late markers to pull Cobourg halfway, but the visitors were simply not up to the task on this night.
Cory Jewitt upped the lead back to three with a powerplay strike to chase Cougars starter Tommy O’Donnell and Schaap completed the hat trick by cleaning up the garbage near the Cobourg net.
Ryan Castle seared a shot through a number of bodies in front of relief man Reece Herman for his first goal as a Duke since being acquired from the BCHL to continue the rout.
Wellington added one more for good measure in the third, Latreille’s second, to round out the scoring.
Schaap added an assist for a four-point night, while Jewitt ended up with a six-point performance (goal, five assists), and Latreille notched three points.
McNeil (goal, assist), Tyler Tsoukalas (three assists) and Quinn McNamara (two helpers) all added multi-point games as well.
Dario Cantini made 18 saves for the win, as Wellington outshot Cobourg 41-20.
Wellington improves to 11-8 ahead of a road matchup with the Lindsay Muskies at 7 p.m. Saturday.
