Morning Skate: Bulls Host Troops
February 7, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
BELLEVILLE, ON - After picking up a very important two points in the limestone city on Friday night, the Belleville Bulls are right back at it on home ice as they host the North Bay Battalion. The Bulls are now five ahead of the Peterborough Petes, who currently hold the final playoff spot in the OHL's Eastern Conference. North Bay, currently third in the conference, has won four out of their last five and will look to continue their hot play. Puck drop is set for 7:05pm.
Before heading East for their current weekend road trip the Battalion defeated the Plymouth Whalers 5-3 on Thursday night. The home team jumped out to a two-goal lead and never looked back. Forwards Mike Baird, Nick Paul and Alex Henriksson and defenceman Miles Liberati and Brenden Miller all found the back of the net in the win. Oakville, Ontario native Jake Smith had a quiet night stopping eight of Plymouth's eleven shots.
Los Angeles Kings prospect Mike Amadio leads the team in scoring with 22 goals and 32 assists in 47 games played this season. Paul, the Team Canada winger, has pitched in with 24 goals and 21 assists in 39 games played. Smith finds himself among the top goaltenders in the league as he owns a .905 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average.
The Battalion enter the Yardmen Arena looking for their third consecutive win.
Despite allowing three goals in 14 minutes, the Bulls battled back to a 4-3 win at the Rogers K-Rock Centre on Friday night. Newly acquired forward Trent Fox ripped home the game winner off the faceoff at 14:35 in the final frame. Other goal scorers for the Bulls were Jordan Subban, Brett Welychka and Jake Bricknell. Rookie netminder Connor Hicks, who replaced Charlie Graham in the first period and stopped all 23 shots he faced, was awarded the second star of the game.
"He was calm, very poised and made some big, big saves for us and I think it kept some momentum for us when we did have a break down or two." Burnett said about Hicks following the win.
Subban's 19th ties him with Shawn Lalonde for the franchise record for most goals in a season by a defenceman. The Canucks draft pick continues to lead his club with 19 goals and 20 assists in 47 games played.
The Bulls look to add another two points and widen the gap as the race towards the OHL's post season continues.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2015
- Troops' Comeback Nets Shootout Victory - North Bay Battalion
- Bulls Fold in Shootout to Troops - Belleville Bulls
- Petes double-up on Spitfires - Windsor Spitfires
- A Spirited Effort - Brampton Steelheads
- Otters Earn Big Rebound Win - Erie Otters
- Saginaw Finishes Weekend With Loss to Mississauga - Saginaw Spirit
- Morning Skate: Bulls Host Troops - Belleville Bulls
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