Barraged in the Bay

March 7, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release


NORTH BAY, ON - It began just 1:21 into the first period and carried on throughout the night. The North Bay Battalion were playing an inspired brand of physical, skating hockey while the Bulls who displayed such an effort on Wednesday night at home, did no such thing.

An 8-1 decision in favour of the Troops saw a pair of nice goals from Dallas Stars prospect Nick Paul while 2013 first round pick Brett McKenzie had a goal and two assists in front of an engaged crowd of 3,075 at the Gardens.

As Charlie Graham was on Wednesday in Belleville, Michael Giugovaz was chased from his crease in the early going. The main difference between the deja vu experience on Thursday was, the Bulls didn't respond in a positive fashion.

Ben Thomson beat Giugovaz through the legs on a two-on-one just 1:21 in, taking a pass from Barclay Goodrow to give North Bay the early edge. The Battalion franchise all-time games played leader and fifth year veteran Goodrow signed an entry level contract with the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

The Troops didn't admire their lead, tacking on another goal just 1:01 later. Giugovaz was beaten through the five hole once again, this time by Mathew Santos from the right of the goal. Assists went to Marcus McIvor and Jamie Lewis as the Bulls stumbled out of the gate.

Charlie Graham took over in goal and didn't fare much better than his predecessor. Nick Paul scored his first of the night off a three-on-two rush created by a Bulls turnover at the offensive blueline. Paul snapped a wrister past the blocker of Graham for his 24th of the season to give North Bay a 3-0 lead at 8:46.

The Battalion weren't stopping there. A quick cycle out of the corner in the Belleville zone wound up in the back of the net as Santos and Brett McKenzie worked together to find an open Zach Bratina who was able to beat a sprawling Graham on the backhand at 14:15.

North Bay made it 5-0 just over a minute later when Paul scored his second of the night in fine style. The big forward snuck a backhand deke through the legs of Graham after he appeared to be losing control of the puck. 

The Troops put home 5 goals on 12 first period shots and were in control headed to the first intermission.

An early second period minor negated a Belleville powerplay as the Bulls were caught with six men on the ice. North Bay converted on the ensuing powerplay as Brenden Miller wristed a hard shot over the glove of Graham from the high slot at 3:57.

With his team down 6-0, Bulls assistant captain Adam Bignell decided to mix things up and be a physical presence. The feisty blueliner challenged North Bay overager Matt MacLeod to a scrap as the two exchanged blows in the Belleville zone.

No spark would be lit on this night however. The Troops kept rolling, banging home their seventh of the night off the stick of Miles Liberati. The former London Knight snapped his seventh of the year over the glove of Graham from the right faceoff dot coming down the wing at 10:10.

Chad Heffernan would end the offensive silence on the Belleville side of things at 16:06. The Peterborough native swatted a rebound off the pads of Jake Smith over the shoulder of the North Bay goaltender as Justin Bean and Adam Laishram drew assists.

Brett McKenzie rounded out the second period scoring at 18:57 feathering a forehand shot through the legs of Graham as he was left unattended coming down the middle to make the score 8-1 for North Bay.

With the damage done, the two clubs played a quick third period with few stoppages as the Battalion secured two points, outshooting the Bulls 31-26. 

Barclay Goodrow, Brett McKenzie and Nick Paul were the three stars in descending order as goaltender Jake Smith made 25 saves for his 20th victory of the season.

The loss was the second time in as many nights that the Bulls have been forced to make an early goaltending change. Michael Giugovaz allowed 2 goals on 13 shots while Charlie Graham surrendered 6 markers on 18 shots.

The Bulls remained without injured defencemen Justin Lemcke, Jake Worrad and Brody Morris while Jake Bricknell was the lone injured forward out of the lineup. 

A Niagara loss on Thursday keeps the Bulls within five points of a playoff spot with four games remaining on the season.

The weekend continues on Friday night in Sudbury when the Bulls visit the Central Division leading Wolves at 7:30pm. Tune into AM 800 CJBQ at 7:20pm for pre-game coverage with Bulls voice Jack Miller. Follow along with the Bulls' Twitter feed (@OHLBulls) for full game action!



Ontario Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2014


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