Gens' Power Play Too Much for Bulls

November 21, 2014 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release


OSHAWA, ON - The Belleville Bulls and the Oshawa Generals met for the 3rd time this season on Friday night. The Eastern Conference leading Gens proved why they have the best power play in the league going three for four on the man advantage as they defeated the Bulls 6-4 in front of a sold out crowd at the GM Centre.

The Gens brought their "A" game right from the drop of the puck, testing Toronto native Charlie Graham with a number of quality chances. Rookie Anthony Cirelli banged in a rebound on the door step just under three minutes in to give his squad the early lead.

The OHL's best power play then took advantage of back-to-back Bulls penalties, scoring twice on the man advantage. Vancouver Canucks prospect Cole Cassels, who leads his club in points, buried his 11th and 12th of the year at 9:45 and 10:37. Rookie netminder Connor Hicks replaced Graham for the remainder of the period.

Just two minutes later it was the Generals with back-to-back minors, handing the Bulls their first man advantage of the night. Stephen Harper, who continues to fill in up front in the absence of Jake Marchment, jammed home a loose puck to stop the bleeding. Forwards Remi Elie and Adam Laishram picked up helpers on the play. The home team led 3-1 on the scoreboard and 14-11in shots after.

Charlie Graham returned to begin the middle frame but the Generals continued their strong play. Bulls forward Jake Bricknell was assessed a 2 minute minor for charging just over seven minutes in and Oshawa made no mistake. Swedish product Tobias Lindberg scored his 10th of the year from Cassels and Michael Vande Sompel. Belleville had an answer before the end of the period as a pair of rookies hooked up to cut the lead in half. Matt Luff found Brandon Saigeon for his 3rd of the year at 18:56. Gens led 4-2 after 40 minutes.

An even third period saw the Gens score first again. This time it was Kenny Huether scoring his first OHL goal to put his team up 5-2 just 3 minutes in. Cassels picked up his fourth point of the night with a helper on the play. Just under 10 minutes later, Saigeon put home his second of the night with a blast from the point from David Tomasek and Remi Elie.

Down two goals, the Bulls added the extra attacker in the dying minutes of regulation. It would pay off as Wellington native Alex Yuill potted a slap shot for his 3rd of the year to cut the lead to just one. It was too little too late however, Bradley Latour added an empty netter from his own zone with 18 seconds left on the clock. Shots favoured the Gens 37-32. Charlie Graham made 29 saves as the Bulls suffer their third striaght loss and fall to 12-8-1-1.



Ontario Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2014


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