Morning Skate: Bulls Battle Gens
March 18, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
BELLEVILLE, ON - The Belleville Bulls host the Eastern Conference leading Oshawa Generals for the final time this season. Despite falling to the North Bay Battalion in a shootout on Sunday afternoon, the Bulls punched their ticket to the OHL post season. The Gens are coming off a huge 9-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs at the GM Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:05pm.
It didn't take long for the Gens to find the back of the net as they opened the scoring just under three minutes in and never looked back. Goal scorers for Oshawa were Will Petschenig, Tobias Lindberg, Brent Pedersen, Hunter Smith, Cole Cassles, Matt Mistele (2), Michael Dal Colle and Mitchell Vande Sompel. Netminder Ken Appleby made 24 saves in the win.
Dal Colle, the Woodbridge, Ontario native continues to lead his squad offensively with 40 goals and 51 assists in 54 games played including 7 points in his last 4 games. 1995-born Centre Cole Cassles has also been a major contributor with 30 goals and 50 helpers in 52 games played. Appleby has been the best between the pipes all season long, as he owns a .924 save percentage.
Another contest between the Battalion and the Bulls had to be decided in a shootout. Defenceman Jordan Subban potted his 25th of the season and opened the scoring halfway through the first period. About 20 seconds later, Justin Lemcke made it a two goal lead with his 8th of the year. North Bay countered with a two goal second period. Forward Stephen Harper scored on the power play at 12:29 in the final frame before Nick Moutrey tied it up again. All three Bulls shooters hit the post in the shootout. Jake Kment made 32 saves in a 4-3 win.
Subban still leads the team in scoring with 25 goals and 24 assists in 61 games played. Over-ager Brett Gustavsen has pitched in with 18 goals and 20 assists and Welland, Ontario native Niki Petti has 17 goals and 21 assists.
On Sunday afternoon the Bulls clinched an Eastern Conference playoff berth. With three games remaining in the regular season and the eighth place Peterborough Petes just two points behind, their still could be some movement before the post season gets underway.
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The annual Medigas Hounslow Award along with the Medigas "Driving Dreams For Our Youth" Scholarship will be presented prior to tonight's contest. Tickets are selling quickly so stop by the Bulls Box Office or call (613) 966-8338 to get yours. Playoff tickets are also on sale at the Bulls Box Office.
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Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2015
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- Morning Skate: Bulls Battle Gens - Belleville Bulls
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