Morning Skate: Bulls Travel to Liftlock City
Published on December 18, 2014 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
PETERBOROUGH, ON - The Belleville Bulls and the Peterborough Petes meet for the first time since the beginning of the season on Thursday night. The Bulls are coming off a 4-1 win over the visiting Ottawa 67's while the Petes dropped their last contest 5-2 at Budweiser Gardens in London. Peterbrough took the first meeting between the two clubs by a score of 7-3 on October the 2nd. Puck drop is set for 7:05 at the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
The Petes, who are currently eighth in the Eastern Conference standings are led by Anaheim Ducks prospect Nick Ritchie who has potted 14 goals and added 18 assists in 25 games played. Ritchie was the lone Pete invited to the Canadian National Junior Team Selection Camp and remains on the preliminary roster.
London native, over age winger Josh MacDonald has posted 13 goals and 14 assists in 27 games played. MacDonald has had a great month of December so far as he has recorded 9 points in 6 games played. Netminder Dylan Wells has played in 13 games and owns a .884 save percentage.
"It's been a long time since we played them, the first week into the season. Both teams have gone through a lot of different things injury wise and it's always a different kind of game when we go into their arena so having a good start tonight will be very important for us." said Head Coach George Burnett.
Last weekend the Belleville Bulls took part in a home-and-home series with the Ottawa 67's. After falling 4-1 on Friday night, the Bulls returned the favour 4-1 on Saturday at the Yardmen Arena. The victory helped General Manager and Head Coach George Burnett earn his 600th career OHL win. Burnett joins Brian Kilrea, the late Bert Templeton and former Bulls GM-Coach Larry Mavety as the newest member of the OHL 600 Club.
Dallas Stars prospect, Remi Elie returns to the line up for Belleville after being released from the Canadian National Junior Team Selection Camp. Elie still leads his club with 12 goals and 19 assists in 30 games played thus far. Veteran defenceman Jordan Subban follows closely behind with 13 goals and 15 assists in 32 games played.
Forward Jake Marchment who returned to the line up last Friday after serving a 15 game suspension has quickly made an impact. Marchment buried his fourth of the year during Saturday's win over the 67's. Rookie goaltender Connor Hicks saw 20 minutes of action on Friday in our Nation's Capital, stopping all 10 shots put at him. Hicks, who has a .891 save percentage, is expected to start tonight in Peterborough.
"We shouldn't be looking at Peterborough's record, we believe strongly that they are a very capable team and right now the focus for us is to make sure that we have a good start." added Burnett.
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- Morning Skate: Bulls Travel to Liftlock City - Belleville Bulls
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