67's Defeat Bulls 4-1
December 13, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
OTTAWA, ON - The Belleville Bulls and the Ottawa 67's opened up a weekend home-and-home series on Friday night. The Bulls were looking to pick up another win over their East Division rivals but the 67's had other ideas. Ottawa opened up the scoring early and never look back scoring four unanswered goals on route to a 4-1 win over the Bulls.
On teddy bear toss night in Ottawa, the 67's faithful were hopeful for an early maker at TD Place. The Bulls, however applied the pressure early on Ottawa netminder Leo Lazarev, who got another start while Liam Herbst remains sidelined with an injury. Bulls shooters tested Lazarev with a couple good chances to begin the frame.
The hometown fans got their wish just over nine minutes into the period when Kevin Groulx beat Charlie Graham for his first of the season on the power play. Defencemen Taylor Davis and Jacob Middleton picked up the assists on the goal that sent the fur flying.
About nine minutes later the 67's found the back of the net again. This time it was over age left-winger Brendan Bell lighting the lamp on the man advantage from fellow over-ager Erik Bradford and Davis, who added his second helper of the game.
Ottawa went a perfect 2/2 on the power play but the Bulls led 12-11 in shots after 20 minutes.
The 67's kept the momentum rolling in the second stanza. While killing a Brendan Bell hooking penalty, Erik Bradford broke in alone scored short handed at 7:39 to make it 3-0 Ottawa. 1996-born defenceman Jacob Middleton was credited with the assist. They weren't finished, just under seven minutes later Willowdale, Ontario native Dante Salituro potted his 22nd of the season with helpers from Evan deHaan and Travis Konecny.
Belleville did have a number of great chances but couldn't solve Lazarev. The Bulls continued to lead in shots 23-22 as teams headed to their dressing rooms.
Rookie netminder Connor Hicks started between the pipes to begin the third period. At 8:15 the Bulls got on the board as Adam Laishram jammed in his 5th of the year. Linemate Niki Petti added the assist. Things got heated near the end of regulation as the 67's were given back-to-back penalties but the Bulls couldn't capitalize.
Laishram's goal would prove to be too little too late, as the Ottawa 67's handed the Bulls their second loss this season at TD Place. With the loss the Bulls fall to 15-14-1-1. Graham made 18 saves in 40 minutes of action while Hicks stopped 10 shots.
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