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Morning Skate: Bulls Head West for Another 3 in 3

November 27, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release


The Belleville Bulls are set for another 3 games in 3 days as they embark on another western road trip. The Bulls have struggled of late, dropping thier last 5 contests and allowing 24 goals against during that current slide. After going 0-3 last weekend, the boys from the friendly city have fallen to 12-10-1-1 but still sit in 3rd place of the OHL's Eastern Conference.

On deck this weekend is the Niagara IceDogs, the Mississauga Steelheads and the OHL leading Erie Otters.

Dallas Stars prospect, Remi Elie continues to lead his club with 11 goals and 18 in 24 games played thus far. Following closely behind is the OHL's leading defenceman, Jordan Subban, who has buried 12 goals and added 13 assits in 24 games played as well.

Rookie forward Brandon Saigeon scored back-to-back goals in a 6-4 loss to the Oshawa Generals last Friday night. Welland, Ontario native Niki Petti picked up 2 assists and added a helper in a home loss to the Barrie Colts.

Belleville goaltenders Charlie Graham and Connor Hicks both saw a significant amount of ice time last weekend but struggled allowing 18 goals in total over the 3 games. Graham currently holds a .921 save percentage, good for 4th on the OHL goaltenders list.

ICEDOGS (6-16-0-0)

The Bulls visit the Niagara IceDogs for the first time since the opening of the brand new Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharine's a little over 2 months ago. The IceDogs are led offensively by newly acquired forward Josh Ho-Sang who has scored 3 goals and picked up 18 assists in 15 games played. 1995-born centre Carter Verhaeghe has pitched in with 7 goals and 6 assists in 22 games payed.

IceDogs overage netminder Brandon Hope has a 1.88 goals against average and a .947 save percentage in nine games this season, split between the IceDogs and the Owen Sound Attack.

In two games played between the two clubs this season, the score is knotted up at 12-12. Puck drop from the Meridian Centre is set for 7:00pm.

STEELHEADS (9-11-1-0)

On Friday night the Bulls will enter the Hershey Centre for the first time this season. The Steelheads, who sit 7th in the Eastern Conference, are coming off a convincing 5-1 win over the Peterborough Petes last Sunday.

Right winger Jimmy Lodge, who was recently dealt to Mississauga from Saginaw, leads the way statistically with 12 goals and 9 assists in 21 games played this season. Centre Bryson Cianfrone picked up 3 assists in the win over Peterborough extends his point streak to 4 games. Cianfrone has 4 goals and 17 assists in 21 games played.

Colorado Avalanche draft pick Spencer Martin has played in 19 games and owns a .922 save percentage. Martin was recently named the OHL player of the week for the week of Oct. 28 - Nov. 3. He also represented team OHL in the 2014 SUBWAY Super Series.

OTTERS (19-3-0-1)

The Bulls wrap up their 3 game road trip in Erie, Pennsylvania on Saturday night. It is the first of 2 meetings within a week for the two clubs, Erie comes to Belleville on Saturday, December 6th. The high-powered Otters hold the best record in the Western Conference and lead the league with 123 goals for in 23 games played.

Projected number 1 NHL draft pick, Connor McDavid has missed the last 5 games with a fractured bone in his right hand. The Newmarket, Ontario native has an impressive 16 goals and 35 assists in just 18 games played thus far. Sophomore Dylan Strome has stepped up in McDavid's absence scoring 6 goals and adding 3 helpers since the injury.

1997-born centre Alex DeBrincat leads all OHL rookies with 22 goals and 18 assists in 23 games played. Veteran goaltender Devin Williams has played in 16 games and has a 2.65 goals against average.

The Otters have posted 14 goals in 2 games last weekend.

A possible 6 points is up for grabs as the Bulls look to right the ship after struggling throughout the month of November.

"We have had a good couple of days of practice with lots of focus on not only our entire game but on the areas that are most crucial right now." said Head Coach George Burnett Thursday morning.

"They are all playing well. Niagara is much improved, they have made a number of changes, Mississauga has made big changes and Erie is one of the top teams in the country. There hasn't been any easy nights for us and we certainly don't expect any more easy nights moving forward." added Burnett.

Forward Adam Laishram will be out of the line up for all three games this weekend as he continues to battle a lower body injury.

Jack Miller will have full play-by-play coverage on 800 CJBQ all weekend long. Remember to follow along on twitter (@OHLBulls) for all game updates.

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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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