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Bulls Take 3-1 Series Lead with 3-2 Overtime Victory in Peterborough
 P.K. Subban scored the game winning goal in overtime in a 3-2 Belleville Bulls victory over the Peterborough Petes Monday night in Peterborough.
Belleville Bulls defenceman P.K. Subban continued his recent knack for scoring game winning goals in extra time, as he scored six and a half minutes into overtime to give the Bulls a 3-2 victory over the Peterborough Petes in game four of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series Monday night in Peterborough. Subban also scored two shootout winning and an overtime goal during the final month of the regular season. The win gives the Bulls a 3-1 series lead with game five back in Belleville on Tuesday night.
The Bulls got off to a terrific start, dictating the pace of play for the majority of the opening frame. Belleville was able to open the scoring eight minutes into the game on the power play when Jan Mursak took a pass from Adam Perry and snapped a quick shot between the pads of Petes goaltender Trevor Cann from the slot. Matt Beleskey also assisted on Mursak’s second goal of the series. The Bulls pressed during the reminder of the opening period to extend their lead but could not beat Cann who was outstanding in net for Peterborough. Bulls’ goaltender Mike Murphy was also excellent when called upon, as Belleville led 1-0 after twenty minutes of play. Shots on goal in the first period were 24-10 in favour of the Bulls.
It was Peterborough who got off to a quick start to begin the scoring period, tying the score just a minute and a half into the middle frame when Zach Harnden shoveled a rebound past Murphy after the Bulls goaltender had stopped Pat Daley on the original shot. The two sides then settled into a very even period with both Murphy and Cann making several great saves apiece to keep the score tied. Belleville was able to retake their lead with less than five minutes remaining in the period while shorthanded on a bizarre goal. Defenceman Nigel Williams lifted the puck high out of his own zone towards the Peterborough net. The puck then took a funny bounce right in front of Cann and bounced past the Petes goaltender, giving Williams his second goal of the series and the Bulls a 2-1 lead heading into the third period. Shots on goal in the second period were 13-11 Belleville.
The Bulls and Petes played an extremely defensive third period with quality scoring chances few and far between for either side. The Petes were able to tie the score with just 32 seconds remaining in the game with their goaltender pulled when Justin Soryal beat Murphy on a rebound from the top of the crease after the Bulls goaltender had stopped the original point shot. Shots on goal in the third period were 11-9 Peterborough, as a game headed to overtime for the second time in the series.
In overtime, Peterborough seemed to have the better chances during the first few minutes of the extra stanza before the Bulls seemed to take control. Subban ended the game at the 6:24 mark of overtime when he took a pass from Jan Mursak and skated around a Petes defender before snapping a hard shot over the shoulder of Cann from the high slot for his third goal of the series. Mursak and Beleskey earned assists on the goal. Shots on goal in the overtime period were 2-2 and overall favoured the Bulls 48-34.
Murphy played very well in goal for the Bulls, making 32 saves to earn the victory while Cann was also excellent, stopping 45 shots in a losing effort for the Petes. The Bulls finished the game one for six on the power play while the Peterborough failed to convert in four opportunities with the man advantage. Belleville also added a shorthanded goal. The three stars of the game were Subban, Cann, and Murphy. The Bulls will now return home and attempt to wrap up the series with a victory on Tuesday night. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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