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Bulls Fall 2-1 in a Shootout to Ottawa
 Mike Murphy stopped 43 shots in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa 67's Wednesday night at the Yardmen Arena.
The Belleville Bulls had their three game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night, falling 2-1 in a shootout to the Ottawa 67’s at the Yardmen Arena. Both teams received tremendous goaltending in the game, as both Mike Murphy and Adam Courchaine were excellent. The game marked the fifth consecutive time this season that the Bulls and 67’s had played a one goal game.
The Bulls got off to a sluggish start to the game, but Murphy made several great saves to keep the game scoreless well into the opening period. Belleville did start generating more offence during the second half of the first period but could not beat Courchaine. The 67’s opened the scoring with just 13 seconds left in the period when Jamie McGinn was left alone in front of Murphy to lift a backhand over the Bulls goaltender. Shots on goal in the first period were 15-7 Ottawa, as the 67’s led 1-0.
The two sides continued to play tight, defensive hockey during the second period while both Murphy and Courchaine were excellent when called upon. Shawn Lalonde had the best chance of the period after a pretty end to end rush but his shot hit the goalpost to keep the score at 1-0 in favour of the 67’s. Shots on goal in the second period were 9-6 Ottawa.
The Bulls were finally able to tie the score four minutes into the third period when Cory Tanaka picked up a loose puck in the slot and snapped it over the shoulder of Courchaine. The goal was unassisted and Tanaka’s sixth of the season. Both teams had several glorious chances to go ahead during a fast paced final frame but could not beat either goaltender. Logan Couture had a terrific opportunity to give the 67’s the lead midway through the period but could not beat Murphy on a penalty shot. Each team enjoyed a late power play but could not capitalize, as the two sides headed to overtime for the third time this season. Shots on goal in the third period favoured the 67’s 13-12.
The Bulls and 67’s both enjoyed a power play in overtime and despite numerous shots and chances, the game remained tied and headed to a shootout. Shots on goal in overtime were 7-5 Ottawa. In the shootout, Bryan Cameron scored to give the Bulls the lead but after Couture scored to tie the score at one, Courchaine stopped Matt Beleskey, Matthew Tipoff, and Shawn Lalonde to keep the 67’s alive. Adam Zamec then gave Ottawa the lead on the fifth shootout shot and Courchaine stopped Eric Tangradi, to give the 67’s the 2-1 shootout victory. The Bulls are now 0-2 in shootouts this season. Final shots on goal favoured the 67’s 45-30.
Murphy was outstanding in goal for the Bulls stopping 43 shots while Courchaine was also excellent, making 29 saves to earn the victory for Ottawa. Both teams struggled on the power play, as they each failed to score in seven attempts with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Murphy, Courchaine, and Tanaka. With the shootout loss, the Bulls record moves to 19-8-2-2, as they increase their lead in the East Division to two points over the idle Oshawa Generals. Ottawa improves their record to 15-13-1-2 with the win. The Bulls will now wrap up the first half of their season with a home and home series with the Niagara IceDogs. On Thursday night, the Bulls will travel to Niagara before hosting the IceDogs Saturday night. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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