Wellington Dukes Tribute: Team of 2017-18

                                           One Period Too Many!

That’s all that stood in the way of the Wellington Dukes capturing the elusive RBC championship. The round robin portion had been a bumpy rollercoaster ride of highs and lows as the pattern often is with this team, but despite less than flattering broadcast commentary and press, the Dukes tenacity qualified them for the semi-finals by virtue of an overtime win against the Steinbach Pistons. This afforded an opportunity for redemption against the top-rated team from  Washington State, the Wenatchee Wild.

In their previous 7-1 loss to that team, the Belleville Intelligencer’s headline read, “Dukes Drubbed”, but the humiliation would not stand. In true Dukes fashion, the boys weren’t about to let that be their RBC legacy. In a Facebook post, goalie Jonah Capriotti’s mother urged the team to seize the day: “Carpe Diem”, and the Dukes did just that. Despite being outshot 51-14, the team played a strategic defensive game, blocking shots and keeping the play to the outside. Buoyed by a stellar performance from their goalie, the Dukes scored twice, (two exquisite goals by the way), emerging with an unexpected 2-1 victory over their stunned opponents. As they had done so often against other adversaries throughout the playoff season, the Dukes tamed the Wild in a game the latter was too confident they would win.  

The stage was then set for the dramatic finale between the Dukes and the host Chilliwack Chiefs the very next day. The boys came out flying, controlled the play, and led 2-1 after two, thanks to a characteristic short-handed tally near the end of that period. The victory seemed well within their grasp, but unfortunately, the hockey gods did not favour the Dukes in the final frame. Despite giving it their all, the tank was running low, and some unlucky puck bounces and turnovers sealed the deal for the resurgent home team and their raucous supporters; hence, my opening remark, one period too many. As captain Colin Doyle said to the group of appreciative fans gathered at the Essroc arena for their homecoming, “We were twenty minutes away from winning it all.”

I know the boys were profoundly disappointed that they fell just short of their ultimate goal. They were as emotionally drained as were their small, but mighty can-clanging contingent of fans at the Prospera Centre, and their devoted supporters cramming the Highline Hall back home in Wellington.

Though technically rated as the #2 junior hockey team in all Canada, which is a remarkable achievement in itself, can the Dukes really be considered “second best”? They were outscored by a team, the Chiefs, which had been eliminated in the first round of their own playoffs – no titles to their credit, and had sat idle for two months since March 11. The Chilliwack team did not earn their berth into the RBC; they only qualified because Chilliwack was the host city. I find this the most troubling aspect of the RBC format, and diminishes the significance of the championship if the host team wins. Describing their round robin contest with the Dukes, the Intelligencer had commented, “Rust? What Rust?” The Chiefs’ layoff afforded them the opportunity for rest and rehab, fresh legs, and no injuries.

By contrast, the Dukes repeatedly triumphed through multiple hard-fought playoff rounds, 30 games in total, to deservedly capture the following: firstly, the Northeast Conference Championship; secondly, the Buckland Cup as OJHL champs; thirdly, the Dudley-Hewitt Cup, emblematic of the top team in central Canada. They accomplished all this despite often being deemed the underrated underdog, and despite recurrent referee bias. Lastly, in the RBC semi-final, they handed a stunning upset to the previously undefeated and highly favoured Wenatchee Wild, considered the team to beat for the trophy.

The current Dukes may not have their name etched on that trophy, but given their outstanding record, they truly are #1. They have gone farther than any previous Duke team, and have added more accolades to the franchise’s storied history.

Although it was not quite the fairy tale ending we all had hoped for, thank you Dukes, for taking us on an emotional and unforgettable journey this year. You are the best!

Arlene Wright,

On behalf of all Dukes fans everywhere