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Bulls Impressive in 6-2 Win over Niagara
 Shawn Matthias recorded a goal and two assists in the Belleville Bulls 6-2 victory over the Niagara IceDogs Wednesday night at the Yardmen Arena.
The Belleville Bulls put forth a terrific effort from start to finish in a 6-2 victory over the Niagara IceDogs Wednesday night at the Yardmen Arena. The win is the Bulls fourth in a row and eleventh straight on home ice. Belleville used a four goal second period to break open a close game and skate away with their second victory in three games against Niagara this season.
The Bulls came out flying to begin the game, opening the scoring just three minutes into the opening frame when Matt Beleskey ripped a shot over the shoulder of IceDogs goaltender Sebastian Dahm. Adam Perry picked up the lone assist on Beleskey’s team leading 37th goal of the season. Belleville continued to dominate the first period but were unable to extend their lead, as Dahm was outstanding to keep his team in the game. Niagara was able to tie the score midway through the period when Luca Caputi picked up a loose puck after it took a funny bounce off the boards and fired the puck overtop of Murphy. The Bulls continued to press throughout the remainder of the opening period but were unable to beat Dahm, as the game was deadlocked 1-1 after twenty minutes of play. Shots on goal in the first period were 17-7 Belleville.
Belleville continued to play a very sound defensive game during the second period, limiting the IceDogs to few offensive opportunities. The Bulls retook their lead midway through the second period on the power play when Bryan Cameron one-timed a Shawn Matthias pass from behind the net between the pads of Dahm. Cory Tanaka also assisted on Cameron’s 28th goal of the season. Perry then put the Bulls ahead 3-1 just 52 seconds later when he took a pass from Jan Mursak and skated around Dahm before sliding the puck into an open corner of the goal. Beleskey also assisted on Perry’s 26th goal of the season. Belleville then got a fortuitous bounce to go ahead 4-1 with five minutes remaining in the period when a Niagara clearing attempt hit a referee and bounced right to Cameron. Cameron then made a quick move before sliding the puck between the pads of Dahm for his second goal of the period and 29th of the season. Matthias put the Bulls ahead 5-1 with just 32 seconds remaining in the period when Dahm could only get a piece of his shot from the slot. Chris Mifflen earned the lone assist on Matthias’ 23rd goal of the season. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the Bulls 10-5.
The Bulls increased their lead to 6-1 six minutes into the third period on the power play when Matthew Tipoff fired a rebound past Dahm from the side of the net. Matthias and Nick Pageau earned assists on Tipoff’s second goal of the season. Niagara was able to round out the scoring with a power play goal of their own with six minutes remaining in the game when Michael Swift banged the puck past Murphy from the top of the crease after taking a pass from Caputi. While not as busy as Dahm, Murphy was very solid when called upon throughout the game. Shots on goal in the third period were 12-6 Belleville and overall favoured the Bulls 39-18.
Murphy enjoyed another good game in goal for the Bulls, stopping 16 shots to earn his 29th victory of the season. Dahm made 33 saves in a losing effort for Niagara. The Bulls power play was busy during the game, finishing two for ten. Niagara converted once in five opportunities with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Matthias, Cameron, and Mifflen. With the win, the Bulls improve their record to 37-12-3-2 and move seven points ahead of the Oshawa Generals for first place in the Eastern Conference. Niagara drops to 31-22-0-1 with the loss. The Bulls will play twice more this week beginning with a game in Ottawa against the 67’s on Friday night. On Saturday night, the London Knights will make their lone trip to the Yardmen Arena this season. Game time is 7:15pm and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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