Story by Brock Ormond

Photo Courtesy: Shawn Muir/OJHL Images

The Whitby Fury ran wild on the Wellington Dukes in Game 3 of the East Division Final, using a four-goal second period to steamroll the Dukes by a convincing 6-1 score.

After struggling to produce much offence in Game 2 against the stingy Fury, the Dukes skated out of the gate slowly and Whitby capitalized with a goal seven-and-a-half minutes into the first period. Derek McVey beat Logan Bateman low blocker-side for his first of three tallies on the night and the only puck to enter the net in the first. Wellington pushed back slightly in the second half of the frame, edging Whitby in shots 11-10, but Fury goaltender Luke Pearson shut the door to preserve the lead.

The Fury unleashed their offence in the middle frame, getting two more goals from McVey and one from Noah Dollo to chase Bateman from the net on just 14 shots. Coach John Druce's move to Kyle Renaud, who came fresh off a playoff run with the PJHL's Picton Pirates, didn't seem to help. Shortly after the change, Jacob DiDanieli walked through the slot and cashed in Whitby's fifth unanswered goal to essentially bury the Dukes. Defenceman Brett Humberstone did score off a goalmouth scramble in the late stages of the second from Keenan Eddy for his first of the postseason, but just like in Game 2, that was all the offence Wellington could muster.

Nicholas Papadopoulos finished the scoring over two minutes into the third and the Fury locked it down the rest of the way. Whitby needed just 21 shots to score six times and hand the Dukes their first loss on the road these playoffs.

The Fury are sailing to a 2-1 series lead heading back to Wellington for Game 4 Thursday night.

Game time is 7:30 p.m. and fans attending the game are encouraged to wear mismatched socks in support of Down Syndrome Awareness on World Down Syndrome Day.