Geoff Lawson battles with a Wenatchee Wild player in front of the net as Jonah Capriotti peeks around the screen. The Dukes get a second chance at the Wild after a 7-1 defeat on Thursday afternoon. The two teams will play again in the semi-final of the RBC Cup on Saturday. (Photo: RBC Cup/Twitter)
Despite suffering a rough loss at the hands of the Wenatchee Wild Thursday afternoon, the Wellington Dukes will live to see another game at the RBC Cup – and get a chance at some revenge as well.
After a 7-1 shellacking by the BCHL champions, the Dukes needed a Steinbach Pistons loss of any kind last night to move on to semi-final Saturday, which they got after the host Chilliwack, B.C. Chiefs won 4-1 to eliminate the Manitoba representatives.
Wellington got its lone goal from Andrew Rinaldi, his first of the RBC Cup tournament. Ben Evans drew the lone assist.
Jonah Capriotti and Tyler Richardson each saw action in net for the Dukes.
Penalties continued to be a factor for the County club, as Dukes players got sent to the box nine times. Wenatchee only capitalized once however.
Friday is an off day, then the remaining four teams will battle for a spot in the National final, which goes on Sunday.
The Dukes will get a second crack at the Wild, who went undefeated through four games of the round robin, on Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The late game sees the Chiefs of Chilliwack take on the Central Canada Hockey League and East Regional champion Ottawa Jr. Senators.
