|
Bulls Take 3-0 Series Lead with 5-2 Victory over Oshawa
 Andrew Self scored once and added an assist to help the Belleville Bulls defeat the Oshawa Generals 5-2 Saturday night at the Yardmen Arena.
The Belleville Bulls won their tenth consecutive playoff game, defeating the Oshawa Generals 5-2 Saturday night at the Yardmen Arena. The victory gives the Bulls a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Championship series with the Generals. The series now shifts back to Oshawa for game four on Monday night.
The two sides played a very fast paced first period of play, as they both tried to gain the early momentum. Both Mike Murphy and Daryl Borden were strong during the opening moments of the period to keep the game scoreless. Belleville was able to open the scoring with eight minutes remaining in the opening frame when Nigel Williams skated the puck into the Oshawa zone and blasted a slapshot past Borden. Andrew Self and Shawn Lalonde assisted on Williams’ fifth goal of the playoffs. The Generals were able to answer back very quickly, tying the scoring less than a minute later when Patrick Asselin fired a rebound from a James DeLory point shot past Murphy. Oshawa then took their only lead of the night with four and a half minutes remaining in the period when John Tavares jumped on a Bulls turnover, creating a two on one rush. Tavares then fed a perfect cross-ice pass to Kory Nagy who chipped the puck overtop of Murphy. The Generals lead lasted only six seconds, as Jan Musak wired a shot just inside the goal post off the ensuring face-off to tie the score. Matt Beleskey and Adam Perry assisted on Mursak’s sixth goal of the playoffs. The Bulls then retook the lead on the power play with just 57 seconds remaining in the opening period when Bryan Cameron tipped P.K. Subban’s point shot over the shoulder of Borden. Mursak also assisted on Cameron’s fourth goal of the playoffs. Shots on goal in the first period were 12-12.
The Bulls came out hard to begin the second period, as they looked to extend their lead but despite numerous chances, could not beat Borden. Murphy was also solid when called upon during the middle frame to keep the Generals after the scoreboard. Oshawa did have a glorious chance to tie the score late in the second period when they enjoyed a lengthy two man power play advantage. However, Belleville’s penalty killing was outstanding to keep their lead heading into the third period. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the Bulls 19-10.
Belleville was able to get a much needed insurance goal just three and a half minutes into the third period while on the power play when Subban skated the puck into the Generals zone and found Self streaking to the net with a perfect pass that the Bulls forward one-timed past Borden. Murphy also earned an assist on Self’s fourth goal of the playoffs. The Bulls played a very strong defensive third period while Murphy was also excellent to keep the score 4-2. Oshawa did have great opportunity to cut into the lead on another two man power play advantage midway through the period. Despite being down two men, it was the Bulls who were able to extend their lead when Cory Tanaka was pulled down on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. On the penalty shot, Tanaka slipped the puck between the pads of Borden to give Belleville a 5-2 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the game. The goal was Tanaka’s fifth of the playoffs. The Bulls penalty kill then shut down the remainder of Oshawa’s power play to skate away with the 5-2 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 12-12 and overall favoured the Bulls 43-34.
Murphy rebounded extremely well from being pulled in game two, stopping 32 shots to earn the victory while Borden made 38 saves in a losing effort for Oshawa. The Bulls specialty teams were outstanding, finishing the game two for seven on the power play while holding the Generals scoreless in six chances with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Tanaka, Subban, and Self. Game four of the series will be played Monday night in Oshawa. Game five, if necessary, will be played Wednesday night in Belleville. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets for all home games in the series are available at the Bulls Box Office.
| 
