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Bulls Comeback to Defeat 67’s 4-3 in Overtime
 Bulls Captain Matt Beleskey recorded his second consecutive hat-trick in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Ottawa 67's Friday night in Ottawa.
Matt Beleskey recorded his second consecutive hat-trick including the game winning goal in overtime, as the Belleville Bulls defeated the Ottawa 67’s 4-3 Friday night in Ottawa. The Bulls trailed for the majority of the opening two periods but were able to score a late goal in the middle frame to get back on even terms before winning the game in overtime for their third win in four contests with the 67’s this season.
The Bulls got off to an extremely slow start to the game, as they were unable to generate much offence throughout the opening twenty minutes. Ottawa was able to open the scoring with nine minutes remaining in the first period when Matthieu Methot fought off a Bulls defender and fed a perfect cross-ice pass to Jason Bailey who one-timed the puck past goaltender Mike Murphy. Belleville’s offence continued to struggle during the remainder of the period but they were sound defensively to keep the Ottawa lead at 1-0 after the opening stanza. Shots on goal in the first period were 12-2 Ottawa.
The 67’s increased their lead to 2-0 just two minutes into the second period on the power play when Methot again found Bailey alone in the slot. Bailey slapped a low, hard shot between the pads of Murphy for his second goal of the game. The Bulls seemed to have more jump during the middle frame, forcing 67’s goaltender Adam Courchaine to make several good saves to keep his team ahead. Belleville was able to get on the scoreboard with just over eight minutes remaining in the period when Stephen Blunden slid the puck into the open corner of the net after a pretty wraparound. Nick Pageau and Kyle Tront earned assists on Blunden’s first goal of the season. The Bulls pulled even just 33 seconds later when Beleskey took a Keaton Turkiewicz pass and fired a laser shot past Courchaine from the slot. P.K. Subban who made a terrific play to keep the puck in the 67’s zone earned the other assist on Beleskey’s 20th goal of the season. Ottawa was able to retake the lead with five minutes remaining in the period just after a power play had expired when Methot chipped a puck past Murphy from the front of the goal. Despite falling behind once again, the Bulls continued to press and were able to tie the score with just 34 seconds left in the middle frame when Subban made an end to end rush before feeding a pass to Beleskey in front of the Ottawa goal. The Bulls captain one-timed a quick shot past Courchaine for his second goal of the period. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the 67’s 14-9.
The two sides played an extremely even third period, forcing both Murphy and Courchaine to remain sharp to send the game into overtime. Both teams seemed extremely tentative during the final moments of the period, as neither side wanted to make the mistake that could cost them the game. Shots on goal in the third period were 12-11 Belleville. In overtime, both teams continued their defensive play until Beleskey ended the game with just over a minute remaining in the extra session when he took a pass from Shawn Matthias and made a nice move before firing the puck past Coruchaine to complete his hat-trick. Geoff Killing also assisted on Beleskey’s team leading 22nd goal of the season. Shots on goal in overtime were 1-1 and overall favoured the 67’s 38-24.
Murphy played extremely well in goal for the Bulls, making 35 saves to earn his 14th victory of the season while Courchaine stopped 20 shots in a losing effort for Ottawa. The Bulls were scoreless in three power play attempts while Ottawa scored once in four chances with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Bailey, Beleskey, and Methot. With the win, the Bulls improve their record to 18-8-2-1 and remain one point behind the Oshawa Generals for first place in the East Division while still holding a game in hand. Ottawa drops to 13-13-1-2 with the loss. The Bulls will now try to wrap up a perfect week of games on Saturday night when they host the Owen Sound Attack. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office. Fans attending Saturday’s game are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal for the Zellers Teddy Bear Toss.
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