67's Edge Bulls 3-2 in Shootout
February 27, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
BELLEVILLE, ON - Erik Bradford, Brendan Bell and Philippe Trudeau all share a common trait; they all seem to play well against the Belleville Bulls. Though the hometown Bulls played a strong, puck moving game on Wednesday night, they couldn't find an answer for Bradford and the 67's as Travis Konecny scored in the third round of the shootout to give Ottawa a 3-2 win. The Bulls were superior in both the shooting and scoring chances departments on Wednesday night but missed a few key offensive opportunities and couldn't capitalize on the powerplay as the 67's opportunistically countered.
An involved Wednesday night crowd of 2,820 made for an intense, playoff-like atmosphere inside the Yardmen Arena as two East Division foes continued their push towards the playoffs.
With a few bodies filtering back into the lineup, the Bulls hoped some added energy would help their cause in the early going. Both Mark Raycroft and Chad Heffernan returned to the lineup as the Bulls took out a lead 6:44 into the first period.
Niki Petti provided the moves and Aaron Berisha the finish to ignite the Yardmen crowd off an offensive zone entry. Petti deked his way around Ottawa defender Jonathan Duchesne before finding Berisha coming in off the point to rifle a slapshot past Philippe Trudeau in the Ottawa crease. Alex Yuill also collected an assist on Berisha's eleventh goal of the season.
The Bulls had the upper hand for much of the first period as the fine goaltending of Trudeau kept the 67's in the game. Scott Simmonds was robbed twice on the same shift and Chad Heffernancouldn't find a hole in the big overager on the backhand from the slot in the first period.
After outshooting Ottawa 12-5 in the first, the 67's came alive in the second as Charlie Graham would be needed. Graham got the attention of the Belleville crowd six minutes into the fresh frame, kicking out his right pad on a two-on-one to rob Connor Brown who was coming in off the left wing. Graham made another fine save under thirty seconds later, kicking out the same pad to take away a goal from Brendan Bell on the doorstep.
Graham's highlight reel contributions continued just shy of the midway mark of the second. The Bulls netminder would provide a huge glove save off Brett Gustavsen at the far circle after the 67's entered the zone off the rush.
Graham's extraordinary efforts wouldn't be able to hold Ottawa off all night though. A defensive miscue at the Belleville blueline results in a fast break for the 67's as Erik Bradford joined Connor Brown on a two-on-one. Bradford's patience paid off as he put a tape to tape pass onto the stick of Brown who beat Graham on a one-timer at 12:08.
The Bulls had trouble getting things going offensively in the second period, but managed to reclaim their lead at 17:37. A pair of rookies combined to beat Trudeau as Justin Bean's point shot was deflected before being kicked out by Trudeau. The rebound would sit loose to the goaltender's right as Andrew Ming swooped in to bury his third of the season.
The 67's took the shot clock 12-10 in the second but the Bulls led 2-1 embarking on a big third period. Holding a 13-3-0-0 record when leading after two periods on the season, the Bulls looked to play responsibly in the final twenty minutes against an Ottawa club with the weapons to make a comeback.
The 67's nearly knotted things at two at the thirteen minute mark. Graham made a left pad save off Travis Konecny who busted down the wing and wristed a low shot on goal. The rebound sat loose for Tyler Hill who missed a gaping cage, firing wide to the right as the Bulls dodged a bullet.
Going 0 for 4 on the powerplay, the Bulls knew it would come time for them to have to face Ottawa's powerplay. The Bulls faced their first shorthanded assignment 12:58 into the third and wouldn't be able to fend off the Ottawa attack.
Brendan Bell snapped home a wrister from the top of the right circle at 13:53 from Dante Salituro and Erik Bradford as things were knotted at two.
The Bulls nearly climbed ahead shortly after the goal as Michael Cramarossa was unable to hit an open net from a low percentage angle as things would go unsolved through regulation time.
Belleville nearly took an overtime decision as Cameron Brace was inches away from beating Philippe Trudeau on the short side, attempting to tuck in a quick wraparound from behind the net. Trudeau would hold his post as Belleville outshot Ottawa 36-28 through 65 minutes of play.
Having gained a point, both clubs sent out their top shooters as Brendan Bell and Cameron Brace were both stopped in the first round of the shootout. Erik Bradford would be turned aside before Trudeau got the catching mitt on a low shot attempt by Aaron Berisha. With the game on the line, Travis Konecny beat Graham with a multi-faceted move to the backhand before Trudeau made the final save of the night off Jordan Subban to seal the deal for Ottawa.
The 3-2 shootout loss sees the Bulls four points back of Ottawa for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with eight regular season games remaining. The 19-35-3-3 Bulls probably deserved a better fate on Wednesday but the 67's, per usual, were opportunists on this night.
Erik Bradford was named the game's first star with a pair of assists. The undrafted 19 year-old centreman has been a big addition to the Ottawa offence since being acquired from the Barrie Colts earlier this season.
The Bulls were without injured defencemen Jake Worrad, Adam Bignell, Justin Lemcke and Brody Morris on Wednesday. Forward Jake Marchment also remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The Bulls have a home and home set with the Kingston Frontenacs that begins on Friday night at the Rogers K-Rock Centre. The Bulls and Fronts bring the back end of the home and home to the Yardmen on Saturday night at 7:05pm. For tickets, contact the Bulls box office at 613-966-8338.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2014
- Steelheads Ice Dogs - Brampton Steelheads
- IceDogs Drop Tough 3-1 Decision to Mississauga - Niagara IceDogs
- Petes Prevail over Generals in Last Meeting of the Season - Oshawa Generals
- 67's Edge Bulls 3-2 in Shootout - Belleville Bulls
- Design the Mask Winner Announced - Brampton Steelheads
- Wolves Edged in Shootout - Sudbury Wolves
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.
