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Bulls Comeback Bid Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Niagara
 Bryan Cameron scored twice in the Belleville Bulls 4-3 loss to the Niagara IceDogs Thursday night in Niagara
The Belleville Bulls had a furious third period comeback attempt fall short in a 4-3 loss to the Niagara IceDogs Thursday night in Niagara. The Bulls cut an IceDogs lead from 4-1 to 4-3 in the final period but despite significant pressure, could not tie the score. The loss snaps a five game winning streak for Belleville, as they finish the season with a 2-1-1-0 record against Niagara.
The two sides played a very even first period with both the Bulls and IceDogs skating well during the opening frame. Niagara opened the scoring with under eight minutes remaining in the period just as a Bulls penalty had expired when Jordan Foreman snapped a hard shot over the glove of Bulls goaltender Parker VanBuskirk from the face-off circle. Belleville was able to tie the score with five minutes remaining in the period on the power play when Bryan Cameron took a pass from Eric Tangradi and snapped a shot past IceDogs goaltender Sebastian Dahm from the slot. Matthew Tipoff also assisted on Cameron’s 39th goal of the season. The goal extended Cameron’s point streak to nine games. Both VanBuskirk and Dahm were very strong during the first period, keeping the game tied 1-1 heading into the intermission. Shots on goal in the opening period were 16-16.
The IceDogs struck for two goals just 44 seconds apart to take a 3-1 lead during the opening eight minutes of the middle frame. Stefan Legein gave Niagara a 2-1 advantage when he deflected a pass from Foreman after a Bulls defensive zone turnover. Chris DeSousa then put the IceDogs ahead 3-1 when he converted a cross crease pass from Foreman. Belleville did have some great chances to cut into the lead throughout the period but could not beat Dahm. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the Bulls 15-8.
Legein appeared to put the game away 34 seconds into the third period when he tipped a Josh Day pass past VanBuskirk from the side of the net to put Niagara ahead 4-1. Despite being down three goals, the Bulls did not quit, dominating the rest of the game. Shawn Matthias cut the deficit to two goals nine minutes into the third period while shorthanded when he wired a shot past Dahm from the high slot. Belleville then capitalized on the power play midway through the period when Cameron beat Dahm on a rebound after the IceDogs goaltender had stopped the original P.K. Subban point shot. Matthias also assisted on Cameron’s 40th goal of the season. Belleville pressed hard for the equalizing goal during the remainder of the game, forcing Dahm to make several terrific saves. The Bulls had their best chance to tie during the final minute while on the power play but could not beat Dahm on numerous great chances, as the IceDogs skated away with the 4-3 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 20-8 Belleville and overall favoured the Bulls 51-32.
VanBuskirk stopped 28 shots in a losing effort while Dahm made 48 saves to earn the victory for Niagara. The Bulls finished the game two for six on the power play while holding the IceDogs scoreless in four opportunities with the man advantage. Belleville also added a shorthanded goal. The three stars of the game were Foreman, Legein, and Matthias. With the loss, the Bulls record drops to 47-14-4-2 while Niagara improves to 40-25-0-1 with the victory. The Bulls will now wrap up their regular season schedule Friday night in Oshawa. Belleville will then face either Peterborough or Ottawa in the first round of the playoffs. Playoff tickets are currently on sale at the Bulls Box Office. Be sure to continue checking bellevillebulls.com for playoff information as it becomes available.
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