Bulls Fall 5-2 to Spitfires in Windsor

February 1, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release


WINDSOR, ON - The Belleville Bulls wrapped up another 3 in 3 weekend on Sunday afternoon as they headed to Windsor to take on the Spitfires. Both teams enjoyed road victories in extra time on Saturday night, putting an end to their respective losing skids. Special teams were the story of the game as the Spitfires went 2/4 on the man advantage and defeated the Bulls 5-2.

Despite shots being even at five throughout the opening minutes, it seemed the Spitfires controlled most of the play early on. The visiting Bulls went down a man at 6:45 when Jake Bricknell was charged with slashing. With 20 seconds remaining in the man advantage, over age forward Slater Doggett crossed the blue line and put a wrist shot over the glove of rookie netminder Connor Hicks. Newly acquired Anthony Stefano and Cristiano DiGiacinto picked up helpers on the power play goal.

Late in the frame the Spitfires made the Bulls pay again while on the power play. Back-to-back penalties to Brett Gustavsen and Adam Laishram gave the home team a five on three and Doggett made no mistake as he knocked the water bottle off for his second of the game. Windsor 16-10 in shots after twenty minutes of play.

In the second stanza, the Spitfires continued their special teams success. Just under the two-minute mark, Luke Kirwan was called for tripping, giving the Bulls their first power play of the contest. Doggett led Kirwan with a pass as he stepped out of the sin bin and the 1997-born winger roofed a back hander past Hicks to put his club ahead 3-0.

The Bulls would redeem themselves later in the period after a Windsor delay of game penalty. Vancouver Canucks prospect Jordan Subban tucked one over the shoulder of goaltender Brendan Johnston while on the man advantage to pull his team within two. Line mates Stephen Harper and Adam Laishram were credited with helpers on Subban's 18th of the season. Belleville outshot the Spitfires 15-7 in the period.

Belleville's momentum carried over to begin the final period as forward David Tomasek made it a one-goal game when he buried his 8th of the campaign at 3:08. It would be too little too late though as the Spitfires would put the nail in the coffin with two empty netters, one from Stefano and one from Markus Soberg.

The Bulls fall to 20-23-3-3 with the loss. Connor Hicks made 33 saves while Johnston stopped 39.

-- The Bulls are back in action on Friday, February 6th as they travel east to take on their division rivals in the limestone city. They will then return to the Yardmen Arena on February 7th to face Nick Paul and the North Bay Battalion at 7:05pm.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2015


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