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Bulls Fall 4-3 in Overtime to London
 Adam Perry scored twice and added an assist against his old team in a 4-3 overtime loss to the London Knights Saturday night at the Yardmen Arena.
A late Belleville Bulls comeback attempt fell just short, as they were defeated 4-3 in overtime by the London Knights Saturday night at the Yardmen Arena. The Bulls rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the final five minutes of the third period but Vladimir Roth blasted a slapshot past Mike Murphy 30 seconds into overtime to give the Knights the victory. The loss was Belleville’s first in the past six games but they do earn a point with the overtime defeat.
The two teams played a very fast paced opening period of play with few whistles. The Bulls had the best chances during the first period but were unable to beat Knights goaltender Jason Guy. Murphy was also solid when called upon to keep the game scoreless after twenty minutes of play. Shots on goal in the first period were 12-5 Belleville.
The tight checking defensive game continued in the second period, as both Murphy and Guy were terrific to keep the game scoreless. The Bulls were finally able to open the scoring with three minutes remaining in the middle frame when Adam Perry beat Guy after the Knights goaltender had stopped Geoff Killing on the original shot. Jan Mursak also earned an assist on Perry’s 27th goal of the season. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the Bulls 9-7.
London quickly evened the score just two minutes into the third period on the power play when Akim Aliu was left alone at the side of the Bulls net to deflect a pass just underneath Murphy. The Knights then had a great chance to take the lead but were unable to capitalize on a four minute power play, as the Bulls penalty killing unit was outstanding. London was able to take the lead with six minutes remaining in the third period when Daniel Erlich jumped on a Bulls turnover and fired a shot past Murphy just inside the goalpost from the faceoff circle. Aliu then gave the Knights a 3-1 just over two minutes later when he stole the puck at his own blueline and beat Murphy on a breakaway after making a pretty deke. Despite being down two goals, the Bulls did not quit and were able to pull back within a single goal just 49 seconds later on the power play when Perry tipped a P.K. Subban point shot past Guy for his second goal of the game. Matt Beleskey also assisted on Perry’s 28th goal of the season. Jan Mursak then tied the score just 39 seconds later when he picked up the puck in the corner and skated to the high slot before beating Guy with a bullet slapshot. Beleskey and Perry earned assists on Mursak’s 16th goal of the season. Shots on goal in the third period were 12-8 Belleville.
In overtime, Roth one-timed a bullet shot past Murphy from the point to give London the victory on the only shot of the extra session. Final shots on goal favoured the Bulls 33-21.
Murphy stopped 17 shots in a losing effort while Guy made 30 saves to earn the victory for London. Each team finished the game one for three on the power play. The three stars of the game were Perry, Aliu, and Roth. With the overtime loss, the Bulls record moves to 38-12-4-2 while London improves to 32-19-3-2 with the win. The Bulls are now off until Wednesday when they will play host to the Kingston Frontenacs for the final time this season. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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