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Morning Skate: Bulls Battle Troops in the North

October 30, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release


NORTH BAY, ON - The Belleville Bulls are back on the road Thursday as they head North to take on the Central Division leading North Bay Battalion. Coming off a tough 5-1 road loss to the London Knights, the Bulls hope to get back to their recent winning ways when the puck drops at 7pm from Memorial Gardens.

North Bay is currently riding a 2 game win streak after defeating the Niagara Ice Dogs and the Barrie Colts on the road last weekend. The Battalion are lead by veteran forward Nick Paul who has potted 10 goals and added 4 assists in 11 games played thus far. 1995-born netminder Jake Smith, who sits 8th among OHL goaltenders, has won 5 of 9 games started and owns a 0.891 save percentage.

"They play the game the right way and they are always well prepared. They were the top team in our conference last year and they are certainly a top team again this year." said Head Coach George Burnett about North Bay. "We are looking to respond after an effort that I don't think we were very happy with in our last outing and I know that our guys are anxious to get back at after a good skate this morning." added Burnett.

The Bulls are 5 points back of the Oshawa Generals who lead the Eastern Conference. Remi Elie and Jordan Subban, who have both been invited to play in the 2014 Subway Super Series in Kingston on November 17th, lead their club with 18 and 15 points respectively. Newly acquired Brett Welychka picked up his first points as a Bull with two assists in Belleville's 4-3 shootout win over the Sarnia Sting.

Belleville will be without rookie winger Brandon Saigeon who left Wednesday afternoon for the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge. Saigeon will represent Team Black, one of three Canadian teams, when the tournament gets underway this Sunday in Sarnia.

"It will be a great experience for Brandon. It's his first opportunity to be apart of the Hockey Canada program of excellence and we wish him well." said Burnett.

Forward David Tomasek, who has been spending time on the blue line of late, will be back in the line up after sitting out last Saturday's against the London Knights. Tomasek fell awkwardly into the glass in the first period of Friday's game against Sarnia and suffered an upper body injury. The forward from Prague, Czech Republic has scored 2 goals and added an assist in 8 games played.

Belleville's first of two trips to North Bay this season is set for 7:00pm. You can get full play-by-play coverage with Jack Miller on 800 CJBQ starting at 6:50pm.

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The Bulls return home this weekend to begin a home-and-home with Cole Cassels and red-hot Oshawa Generals. Loyalist College hosts Trick or Treat with the Bulls on Saturday, November 1st. Lots of great prizes are up for grabs with our Halloween Spin to Win! Stop by or call the Bulls Box Office at (613) 966-8338 for all ticket information.

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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.

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