Weekend Preview: Bulls Head West for Another 3 in 3
Published on January 30, 2015 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Belleville Bulls News Release
The Belleville Bulls hit the road to wrap up a busy month with yet another 3 in 3 weekend. With a roster ravaged by injuries and the flu, the Bulls dropped all three games a weekend ago, most recently a 3-2 loss to the Peterborough Petes last Sunday at the Yardmen Arena. Despite a fantastic effort for 60 minutes, the Bulls surrendered a late power play goal by overager Nathan Pancel that handed the home team their fifth consecutive loss.
Only three points separate Belleville and Mississauga who currently holds the final playoff spot in the competitive Eastern Conference. Looking ahead the Bulls will take on the three teams from the West who are presently on the outside looking in - Plymouth, Saginaw and Windsor. The Bulls will look to capitalize on 6 points up for grabs.
"All three of those teams are getting healthier and playing better hockey," said Head Coach George Burnett. "We have to expect their best because they're all playing for playoff opportunities as well."
Forwards Adam Laishram, Trent Fox and Jake Bricknell and defencemen Adam Bignell and Jordan Subban all skated with the team on Thursday morning and will return to the line up this weekend after being down and out with the flu. Belleville's top scoring forward Niki Petti, who returned to action last Sunday against the Peterborough Petes will continue to be back in uniform. Captain Brett Welychka is still sidelined with a lower body injury.
"Many are still less than 100 per cent but on the mend. All of them will make the trip. Welychka won't travel, but he's improving steadily." added Burnett.
Toronto native Charlie Graham is expected to get the start on Friday night in Plymouth. Rookie netminder Connor Hicks saw back-to-back starts last weekend but is still a little under the weather.
Up first on the road trip will be the Plymouth Whalers, who currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The Whalers have won only four of their last ten games and will look to bounce back on home ice as they continue their push for the final playoff spot. Plymouth is led offensively by left-winger Sonny Milano who has potted 12 goals and added 29 assists in just 27 games played. Over age forward Mathew Campagna has pitched in with 15 goals and 15 assists in 42 games played thus far.
Saturday night features a tilt with the Saginaw Spirit, who have only won three of their last ten games but find themselves 13 points ahead of the Whalers. Players to watch on Saginaw include 1996-born winger Dylan Sadowy who has put away 31 goals and handed out 26 helpers in 46 games played. Sadowy had a goal and an assist in Saginaw's 4-2 win over Plymouth on Thursday night. Peterborough, Ontario native Mitchell Stephens has also been a key contributor on the offensive end, scoring 17 goals and picking up 15 assists in 42 games played this season. Holding on to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Spirit will continue to battle hard to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The road trip wraps up on Sunday with a matinee affair at the WFCU Centre in Windsor. The Bulls fell to the Spitfires 6-5 in overtime on January 7th at the Yardmen Arena and will look to split the season series. Windsor currently sits six points behind Saginaw in the Western Conference and has also won four of their last ten. Local product Trevor Murphy leads the Spits statistically with 17 goals and 35 assists in 45 games played. Forward Sam Povorozniouk is another player to look out for as he has potted 12 goals and dished out 20 assists in 46 games played. Povorozniouk picked up 2 assists in Windsor's 5-2 loss to London on Thursday night.
The Bulls look to turn things around and get back to the winning ways they enjoyed early in the season as the race to the post-season inches closer to the final stretch. For all player and game updates follow along on Twitter @OHLBulls. Puck drop in Plymouth at the Compuware Arena is set for 7:05.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 30, 2015
- Wolves Fall Just Shy of Steelheads - Sudbury Wolves
- Greyhounds Prevail Despite Wood's Three - North Bay Battalion
- Sting Blanked in Ottawa - Sarnia Sting
- Bulls Shut Out by Whalers - Belleville Bulls
- Tough Loss To The Petes In Overtime - Oshawa Generals
- Challenge Accepted: Hounds Battle Battalion to Shootout Win - Soo Greyhounds
- Steelheads Jump to 7th - Brampton Steelheads
- Herbst Shuts Down Sarnia as 67's Win Another at Home - Ottawa 67's
- Magyar Leads Rangers to Win over Attack - Kitchener Rangers
- Erie wins 3-2 - Erie Otters
- OHL Clubs and CMHA Ontario Branches Make Mental Health a Focus - OHL
- Bruins Recall Malcolm Subban - Belleville Bulls
- Weekend Preview: Bulls Head West for Another 3 in 3 - Belleville Bulls
- Score a Seat on OC Transpo to Avoid Traffic this Sunday at Lansdowne - Ottawa 67's
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