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Bulls Fall 4-3 to Ottawa
 Andrew Self had two assists in the Belleville Bulls 4-3 loss to the Ottawa 67's Friday night in Ottawa.
The Belleville Bulls were able to battle back from three one goal deficits but not a fourth, as the Ottawa 67’s scored with six and a half minutes remaining in the third period to secure a 4-3 victory Friday night in Ottawa. The game marked the sixth time in as many games this season between the two teams that had been decided by just one goal.
The two sides played a relatively even first period of play with both teams skating well and generating some good offensive chances. Both Mike Murphy and Adam Courchaine were solid in goal for their respective sides in the opening frame. It was the 67’s who scored the lone goal of the period with nine minutes remaining when Jason Bailey got a rebound in front of Murphy and fired it past the Bulls goaltender. The Bulls had a glorious chance to tie the score late in the first period but were unable to capitalize on a two man power play advantage. Shots on goal in the first period were 13-12 Belleville, as the 67’s led 1-0 after twenty minutes of play.
The Bulls came out hard to begin the second period and were able to tie the score three minutes into the middle frame just after a 67’s penalty had expired when Shawn Lalonde wired a wrist shot into the top corner past Courchaine from the point. Andrew Self and Cory Tanaka earned assists on Lalonde’s fourth goal of the season. The 67’s were able to retake the lead less than three minutes later when Jamie McGinn picked up a loose puck at the side of the Bulls net and was able to lift it overtop of a sprawling Murphy. Ottawa’s lead was extremely short-lived however, as the Bulls tied the score just nine seconds later when Keaton Turkiewicz tipped a Self pass over the shoulder of Courchaine to level the score. Tanaka also earned his second assist of the period on Turkiewicz’s 15th goal of the season. Both teams had chances to take the lead during the remainder of the period but strong goaltending from each side kept the game tied 2-2 heading into the final period of play. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the Bulls 14-12.
McGinn gave Ottawa their third lead of the game just two and a half minutes into the final period while on the power play when he backhanded a rebound over the shoulder of Murphy for his second goal of the game. Once again, the Bulls were able to respond, tying the score nine minutes into the third period when Matt Beleskey fired a rebound from an Eric Tangradi shot between the pads of Courchaine. Nigel Williams also earned an assist on Beleskey’s team leading 23rd goal of the season. The assist was the first point as a Bull for Williams. The 67’s finally went ahead for good with six and half minutes remaining in the game when after some great work to cycle the puck in the Belleville zone, Scott Cowie fed a perfect cross-ice pass to Jon Carnevale, who quickly slid the puck just under Murphy for what turned out to be the eventual game winning goal. The Bulls pressed over the final few minutes for the equalizing goal but could not beat Courchaine, as Ottawa skated away with the 4-3 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 15-11 Ottawa and overall favoured the 67’s 39-38.
Murphy played well in goal for the Bulls, stopping 35 shots in a losing effort while Courchaine also made 35 saves to earn the victory for Ottawa. The Bulls finished the game scoreless in four chances with the man advantage while the 67’s capitalized once in two power play opportunities. The three stars of the game were McGinn, Carnevale, and Self. Jan Mursak and Andy Bathgate each played their first game with Belleville in the loss. With the defeat, the Bulls record drops to 20-9-3-2, as they fall one point behind the Oshawa Generals for first place in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa improves to 18-13-1-2 with the victory. The Bulls will now look to get back in the win column on Saturday night when they play host to the Erie Otters. The game will mark the return of former Bulls defenceman Paul Cianfrini. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets for the game are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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