Bulls Snap 6 Game Losing Skid, Down Spirit in OT
February 1, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
SAGINAW, MI - The Belleville Bulls continued their three game western road trip on Saturday night with a stop in Saginaw. The Bulls offence was on full display as they led 4-1 with 14 minutes to play in the third period but the Spirit came storming back to force overtime in front of 5,523 fans. Czech Republic product David Tomasek was the hero as he scored the overtime winner to help the Bulls earn a 5-4 victory.
The visiting Bulls started the contest with a ton of energy jumping out to an early lead on the shot clock. It didn't take long for the hard play to pay off as rookie Matt Luff opened the scoring and buried his 6th of the season just under three minutes into the opening frame. Forwards Michael Cramarossa and Brandon Saigeon picked up the helpers.
Just after a Justin Lemcke penalty was called, the Spirit saw their first great scoring chance of the game but starting goaltender Charlie Graham made a gorgeous save sliding across the crease to keep his club up a goal. Williamstown, Ontario native Andrew Ming and Saginaw blue liner Troy Henley dropped the mitts during the dying minutes of the period hoping to spark their respective teams before heading to the dressing room. Shots were even at 9 after 20 minutes.
The late first period scrap seemed to electrify both squads as a pair of pucks found the back of the net early in the second stanza. Russian import Artem Artemov potted his 11th of the campaign from Mitchell Webb just over the five-minute mark. Fifty-one seconds later the Bulls took the lead again when veteran forward Stephen Harper buried a juicy rebound off a shot from Ming.
Shortly after, Vancouver Canucks prospect Jordan Subban was called for interference and picked up another two for unsportsmanlike handing the Spirit a 4-minute man advantage. Saginaw peppered Graham with a flurry of chances but the league leader in saves kept the door shut making some beautiful saves. The Spirit would get another power play opportunity later in the period but once again Graham stood his ground. Shots favoured the home team 25-14 after the second frame.
Another early goal kicked off the third period. Overager Brett Gustavsen tipped home his 14th of the season at 1:45 to put the Bulls up 3-1. Trent Fox and David Tomasek were credited with the assists. The Bulls kept applying the pressure as they were looking to snap a 6 game losing skid. At 6:38 rookie Brandon Saigeon took a pass from Luff and beat Ovsjannikov short side for his 7th of the year.
Saginaw didn't fold however. After penalties to Luff for hooking and Marcus Crawford for tripping, Brampton, Ontario native Kris Bennett buried a loose puck on the doorstep at 11:01 to cut the lead in half. Greg DiTomaso picked up the assist. Just over two minutes later 1998-born centre Tye Felhaber potted his 12th of the season from Crawford and Connor Brown. Not long after the Spirit tied it up as over age forward Jacob Ringuette lighted the lamp from Dylan Sadowy and Artemov.
The overtime period didn't last long as Tomasek scored his 7th of the season just 57 seconds in. The Bulls snap a six game losing skid and pick up two crucial two points on the road. Charlie Graham made 29 saves in the win.
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