Bulls Make It 4 Straight and Defeat IceDogs 8-5

October 11, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release


BELLEVILLE, ON - The Belleville Bulls opened up a home-and-home with the Niagara IceDogs on Saturday night. Fresh off a 4-1 victory over the Plymouth Whalers on Wednesday night, the Bulls were looking to stay perfect at the Yardmen Arena. Belleville shooters brought out their A game and exploded for 5 un-answered first period goals on route to an 8-5 victory.

It didn't take long for the Bulls to give the fans at the Yardmen Arena their money's worth as Captain Jake Marchment potted his first of the season just under two minutes in. Rookie Matt Luff and blue liner Stephen Harper picked up assists on the first goal of the game. Shorty after, veteran forward Niki Petti caught the IceDogs sleeping in their own zone intercepting a pass and sliding it past netminder MacKenzie Savard who was given his first OHL start. Under two minutes later, Brett Gustavsen picked up right where he left off on Wednesday night as he buried his 5th of the campaign unassisted. The Bulls kept applying the pressure and 60 seconds later Jake Marchment added another from his line mate Luff at 7:31 to give the Bulls an early 4 goal lead. "He had a quick shot today, he had a good stick. He was hitting, he did a little bit of everything for us tonight and you could really hear his leadership on the bench." said Assistant Coach Jake Grime about Marchment's performance.

The IceDogs would switch things up between the pipes as Savard was replaced by Buffalo, New York native Stephen Dhillon. That didn't stop Belleville though, Dallas Stars prospect Remi Elie, who leads his club in points jumped on a loose puck in the Niagara zone and ripped home his second short handed goal of the seaosn. The reigning Ryobi Players of The Month, Alex Yuill and Adam Laishram picked up assists on the marker that capped off an unbelievable start to the contest. The IceDogs would add a late goal as Anthony DiFruscia beat Charlie Graham with 1 second remaining in the frame.

The second frame was also goal filled, this time however it was Niagara finding the back of the net first. Aleksandar Mikulovich helped his team cut into the lead just under two minutes into the period. From there teams would exchange goals for the rest of the stanza. Bulls forward David Tomasek put home his first of the season with helpers from rookie defenceman Cole Candella and Aaron Berisha at 8:13. Half a minute later Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Carter Verhaeghe buried his 2nd of the season from Cody Payne. Oakville, Ontario native Matt Luff who scored his first career OHL goal on Wednesday night added another as he jammed in a loose puck just outside the crease. Marchment and Harper were credited with assists on the play that gave the Bulls a 7-3 lead. IceDogs centre Jordan Maletta then potted his 3rd of the season to close out another offence heavy period.

A much quieter third period saw two goals, the first from Niagara winger Billy Jenkins who received third star honours and the second from local boy Alex Yuill who wired home his 2nd of the season from the blue line. Charlie Graham, who entered the contest leading the league with a 0.962 save percentage made 38 saves in the win. Shots, oddly enough, favoured the IceDogs 43-31.

Niagara will continue their 6 game road trip to begin the season as they wrap up 3 games in 3 nights Sunday afternoon in Kingston. The Bulls are given a well deserved rest before travelling to Niagara to finish the home-and-home as the IceDogs first opponent in the brand new Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharine's on Thursday evening. With the win the Bulls jump back on top of a loaded Eastern Conference.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 11, 2014


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