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Bulls Drop 2-1 Overtime Decision to Niagara
 Bryan Cameron scored the Bulls lone goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Niagara IceDogs Thursday night in St. Catharines.
The Belleville Bulls dominated the final twenty minutes of play but could not score the go ahead goal, as they fell 2-1 in overtime to the Niagara IceDogs Wednesday night in St. Catharines. It was the second straight game that the Bulls lost in extra time but they were able to extend their lead in the East Division to three points over the Oshawa Generals.
As was the case on Wednesday night, the Bulls got off to a slow offensive start, generating few quality scoring chances in the opening stages of the game. Goaltender Mike Murphy was very solid during the first half of the period to keep Niagara off the scoreboard. Belleville seemed to pick up their play late in the period but it was the IceDogs who opened the scoring after a Bulls turnover when Chris DeSousa fired a shot overtop of Murphy from the slot with just less than three minutes remaining in the opening frame. Shots on goal in the first period were 9-7 IceDogs, as they led 1-0 after twenty minutes of play.
Both teams played a very defensive second period with neither side being able to generate much offence. Both Murphy and IceDogs goaltender Andrew Loverock were solid when called upon in the middle frame. The Bulls were able to tie the score with less than a minute and half remaining in the period when Bryan Cameron was able to take the puck from behind the net and fire a quick shot over the shoulder of Loverock from in tight for his 16th goal of the season. Matt Beleskey and Eric Tangradi earned assists on the goal, as the game was tied heading to the third period. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the IceDogs 11-8.
It was the Bulls who came out flying to begin the third period, as they forced Loverock to make numerous saves to keep the game tied. Belleville’s defence also tightened up and did not allow the Niagara offence to generate much, as they were held without a shot for almost the first fifteen minutes of the period. The Bulls continued to press and enjoyed three power plays in the third period but were unable to beat Loverock, as the game headed to overtime. Shots on goal in the third period were 18-1 Belleville. In overtime, the Bulls were unable to clear the defensive zone and the IceDogs made them pay when Jason Bergeron fired a shot from the slot before falling into Murphy, as the puck slid over the goal line in the ensuing scramble to give Niagara the victory. Shots on goal in overtime were 1-0 Niagara but overall favoured the Bulls 33-22.
Murphy played another strong game in goal for the Bulls, stopping 20 shots in a losing effort while Loverock was also great, making 32 saves in the win for Niagara. The Bulls power play continued their struggles this week, failing to score in six chances while the IceDogs were also scoreless in three opportunities with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Bergeron, Loverock, and Murphy. With the overtime loss, the Bulls record moves to 19-8-3-2 while Niagara improves to 17-14-0-1 with the victory. The Bulls have just one game remaining before their holiday break, as they will host Niagara on Saturday night. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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