Bulls Fall to Otters in Port Perry
September 6, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
PORT PERRY, ON - Looking for their first win of the preseason, the Belleville Bulls travelled to Port Perry as they hosted the Erie Otters in their second exhibition game of the season. Port Perry is the home town of Bulls Head Coach George Burnett as well as forward Jake Bricknell.
In front of a sold out crowd at the Scugog Arena the Erie Otters continued their hot play and tested goaltender Charlie Graham early with a number of scoring chances. Nick Betz who was fresh off a hat trick performance against Mississauga potted the first goal of the game and 13 seconds later scored another to give Erie a quick 2-0 lead. The Otters kept their foot on the gas in the dying seconds of the first period as Quentin Maksimovich made it 3-0 heading into the dressing room.
A power outage thanks to a thunderstorm rolling through the area delayed the start of the second period. When the arena lights came back on so did the goal lights as Erie continued to find the back of the net. Nick Betz scored his second hat trick in two games and was the first to score in the period pushing the lead to 4 for Erie. With about 12 minutes to play in the second period, Chad Heffernan was called for tripping giving the Otters a man advantage. Alex Debrincat capitalized and buried a power play goal to give his squad a 5-0 lead. During the goal celebration Jake Evans was handed 2 minutes for un sportsmanlike, giving the Bulls their first power play of the game. Newly signed Matt Luff wasted no time putting his new team on the board scoring his first goal of the preseason. Another penalty saw Erie's Trent Fox head to the penalty box giving Belleville another man advantage. With brothers and Bulls alumni P.K and Malcolm watching, Jordan Subban blasted one passed net minder Devin Williams making it 5-2 after 40 minutes of play.
Trying to keep momentum on their side the Bulls were looking for more scoring chances early in the third but a turnover in their own zone didn't help and Alex Debrincat made them pay extending the Erie lead to 6-2 with his second of the night. Minutes later Matt Luff continued to prove why he was a great sign for Belleville scoring his second of the night on a gorgeous back hand with helpers from Brett Gustavasen and Captain Jake Marchment. Two Erie penalties late in the third period gave the Bulls a great 5 on 3 chance but it was too little too late as Erie cruised to a 6-3 win.
Head Coach George Burnett has given his team the weekend off to spend time with family and friends. The Bulls are back in action against Peterborough on Saturday September 13th as they entertain fans at the Yardmen Arena for the first time this season. You can purchase tickets at the Belleville Bulls box office.
• Discuss this story on the Ontario Hockey League message board...
Ontario Hockey League Stories from September 6, 2014
- Saginaw Goes to Shootout in Second Preseason Game of Weekend - Saginaw Spirit
- IceDogs Fall to Generals - Niagara IceDogs
- Studnicka Nets Winner as 67's Down 'Piques - Ottawa 67's
- Owen Sound Prevails over Battalion - North Bay Battalion
- IceDogs Game in Kitchener Cancelled - Niagara IceDogs
- Bulls Fall to Otters in Port Perry - Belleville Bulls
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
