Morning Skate: Bulls Wrap up Home and Home in Ottawa
February 13, 2015 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
OTTAWA, ON - The Belleville Bulls wrap up a home-and-home series with the Ottawa 67's on Friday night in our Nation's Capital. The Bulls were defeated 5-3 by their Eastern Conference rivals at the Yardmen Arena on Wednesday night. Another crucial two points are on the line when the puck drops at 7:30 from TD Place.
Despite scoring the games first goal and leading 3-2 with just over 10 minutes left to play in the second period, the Bulls dropped their eighth straight game on home ice. Over age forward Brett Gustavsen opened up the scoring half way through the opening frame to give his club the early lead. The 67's quickly countered when Connor Graham scored 23 seconds later.
Ottawa's momentum carried over into the second stanza as right-winger Travis Konecny put his team ahead just 1:47 into the period. Gustavsen then buried his second of the game before Brett Welychka put the Bulls up by one again at 8:50. In the dying minutes of the period 67's forward Jeremiah Addison, who was awarded the first star of the game, tied it up again on the man advantage.
The 67's finished off the home team in the final frame when Dante Salituro potted his team leading 32nd goal of the season on the power play. Konecny would add one more for his club at 16:24. Netminder Charlie Graham made 29 saves in the loss. Gustavsen was named the second star and Michael Cramarossa was handed the third star of the contest.
The Bulls roll into Ottawa without 1995-born centre Stepehen Harper who was given a two game suspension for slew footing late in the second period on Wednesday night.
"Since Stephen has made a permanent move back up to forward he has been a real dominant guy not just on the team but in the league. He has been a tough guy to deal with and he has been playing with a lot of speed, a lot of size, strength and skill so he's not a guy that is easy to replace", said Assistant Coach Jake Grimes Friday morning.
Grimes added that it is important for the Bulls to be strong right from puck drop.
"Ottawa is playing with a lot of confidence in general right now and they aren't the type of team that would lay back if they got one or two early so it is important for us to get off to a good start."
Expect rookie goaltender Connor Hicks to start in goal on Friday night. Four points seperate the Bulls from the 9th place Peterborough Petes who will be in the friendly city on Saturday night.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2015
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- RedBlacks Announce Transactions - Ottawa 67's
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- RedBlacks Release 2015 Schedule - Ottawa 67's
- Pink in the Rink Game February 20th - Sarnia Sting
- McDavid Tour Hits Mississauga; Steelheads Family Day Game a Sellout - Brampton Steelheads
- Morning Skate: Bulls Wrap up Home and Home in Ottawa - Belleville Bulls
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