Bulls Sweep Season Series, Down Otters 3-2 in Shootout
December 7, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
BELLEVILLE, ON - Check the fourth best team in the country off the list. The Belleville Bulls defeated the Western Conference leading Erie Otters in a thrilling down to the wire shootout on Saturday night at the Yardmen Arena. The win sweeps the season series for the Bulls who handed the Otters just their second home loss last weekend. Belleville improves to 15-13-1-1.
The Bulls got their biggest crowd of the year fired up early as they opened up the scoring just under two minutes into the opening frame. Rookie forward Matt Luff tipped a point shot from Justin Lemcke for his 5th of the campaign.
The Otters would answer back however, as right-winger Nick Betz took a pass from Dylan Strome then spun around and potted a wrister at 10:25. The Otters led 17-9 in shots after the first 20 minutes.
Fighting for the go ahead goal, things began to get a little chippy in the second period. Both clubs took turns on the man advantage but the game remained locked up at one when the second stanza came to an end. Erie continued to lead in shots 24-19.
Eleven minutes into the final frame, the Bulls took the lead. Whitby, Ontario native Adam Laishram jammed home a rebound on the doorstep. David Tomasek and Lemcke were credited with assists on the go ahead goal.
The lead didn't last long though, just over a minute later the Otters tied it up again. Betz scored his second of the game as he tipped in a shot off the stick off Strome.
Belleville was called for too many men on the ice in the dying seconds of the frame, giving Erie the late power play that carried over into the overtime period. The Bulls killed off the penalty and overtime solved nothing.
Erie's first shooter, 1995-born forward Nicholas Baptiste was stopped by Charlie Graham as he flashed the leather and made a great glove save. Former Otter, Stephen Harper was first up for Belleville and he beat Daniel Dekoning blocker side.
Graham made another big save sprawling out to deny Erie's next shooter, Dylan Strome. Over age forward Brett Welychka was next for the Bulls but was stopped by Dekoning.
After Betz scored for the Otters in the third round, defenceman Jordan Subban stepped up and slid home the game winning goal. Charlie Graham made 42 saves and picks up his league leading fourth shootout win of the season.
-- The Bulls are back home on December 13th as they host the Ottawa 67's for teddy bear toss night at the Yardmen Arena. Tickets are still available so stop by the Bulls Box Office or call (613) 966-8338 for all ticket information.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2014
- Knights Make Full Use of Power-Play Gifts - North Bay Battalion
- Beasts of the East Tackle Best of the West in 4-1 Win - Oshawa Generals
- Otters Bested by Oshawa - Erie Otters
- Steelheads Topple Wolves 5-1 - Brampton Steelheads
- Sting Win Wild One at Home - Sarnia Sting
- Wolves Fall 5-1 to Steelheads - Sudbury Wolves
- Spirit Battle Storm in 4-2 Loss - Saginaw Spirit
- Bulls Sweep Season Series, Down Otters 3-2 in Shootout - Belleville Bulls
- Colts Down 67's - Ottawa 67's
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