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Five Bulls Help Eastern Conference to Third Consecutive All-Star Game Victory
Five members of the Belleville Bulls helped the Eastern Conference defeat the Western Conference 8-7 in a shootout at the 2008 OHL All-Star Classic in Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday night. It was the third consecutive victory in the event for the Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference also won the skills competition 19-18 in a shootout one night earlier. Matt Beleskey, Bryan Cameron, Shawn Matthias, Mike Murphy, and P.K. Subban all represented the Bulls in the event.
The game itself was highly entertaining and more intense than many expected. The Eastern Conference jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead only to see the Western Conference score three consecutive goals in the middle frame to tie the score. The East went ahead again 5-3 before the West quickly tied the score at five. The Western Conference took their only lead of the night with just over two minutes remaining in the game only to see Oshawa Generals forward Brett MacLean tie the score with just 33 seconds remaining in the final period. MacLean then scored the lone shootout goal to give the East the victory.
Beleskey, Cameron, and Matthias played on the same line throughout the game, scoring twice. Beleskey led the Eastern Conference with a goal and two assists and was one of only three players to record three points in the game. Cameron also had two assists while Matthias chipped in with a goal. On defence, Subban recorded two penalty minutes and was all over the ice throughout the game. Murphy was also very stellar, only allowing just two goals in the first half of the game he played. The Bulls goaltender was at his best late in the first period when he made a flurry of terrific saves including a breakaway stop on Wayne Simmonds.
Beleskey gave the Eastern Conference a 3-0 lead late in the first period after he one-timed a Cameron pass from behind the net past Plymouth Whalers goaltender Jeremy Smith. The play was started by a tremendous forecheck from Cameron to steal the puck from a Western Conference defender. Matthias scored the fifth goal of the game for the East when he tipped a pass from Beleskey out of the air as he drove towards the Western Conference net. Cameron also assisted on the goal. Beleskey then earned an assist on MacLean’s game tying goal in the final minute of the third period
One night earlier, it was Murphy who was sensational in the all-star skills competition. He stopped eight of nine shots during the breakaway relay competition and then helped the Eastern Conference take the lead during the three on three game. Both Subban and Beleskey participated in the hardest shot competition. Cameron was in the fastest skater event while Matthias helped the Eastern Conference win the puck control relay.
Click here for the 2008 OHL All-Star Classic Box Score
Photos: Jeff Boyce
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