Baker’s three points lead Quinte over Vaughan 4-2
Dawson Baker and Nathan Dunkley each registered two goals and an assist as the Quinte Red Devils doubled up the Vaughan Kings to open OHL Cup Wild Card Play-In action on Tuesday.
The 4-2 victory saw the Red Devils hold off a late Kings rally to clinch their second OHL Cup berth in as many years, joining the ranks of the Nash Division alongside the Toronto Marlboros, Southern Tier Admirals, Team NOHA and TPH Hockey.
“We worked real hard down low and won the battles,” said Baker, who had 17 goals for Quinte during the regular season. “It was a thrill playing in front of so many scouts and it was nice to come up big when it mattered most. A one-game situation doesn’t come along very often but there aren’t many better feelings than winning a game like this.”
Dunkley opened the scoring 5:53 into the second period before Baker added a pair less than a minute apart at 8:22 and 9:24.
Kyle Martin gave Vaughan life late in the second, getting them on the board as they trailed 3-1 to start the third.
A late third period marker from Frisco Reda brought Vaughan within a goal, but that’s as close as they’d come as Baker passed off to Dunkley into an open net to seal the deal.
“It will be important for myself, Dunks (Dunkley) and Matt Sherwin to find ways to score this week,” added Baker. “It’ll be a team effort, but the three of us have to continue scoring like we did all season.”
The Red Devils advance to their second straight OHL Cup showcase and will face-off with the Toronto Marlboros on Wednesday.
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Quinte – Dawson Baker (2G, 1A)
Vaughan – Max Grondin
