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Bulls Eliminate Petes with 7-1 Victory
 Stephen Johnston scored twice in the Belleville Bulls 7-1 series clinching victory over the Peterborough Petes Tuesday night at the Yardmen Arena.
The Belleville Bulls moved on to the second round of the OHL playoffs with a 7-1 victory over the Peterborough Petes Tuesday night at the Yardmen Arena. The win gives Belleville a 4-1 series victory. The Bulls scored four unanswered third period goals to break open a close game and skate away with the series win.
It was Peterborough who got off to a quick start, opening the scoring just three and a half minutes into the game when Yves Bastien broke down the wing and fired a shot over the shoulder of Bulls goaltender Mike Murphy for his second goal of the series. Belleville was quick to respond, tying the game less than two and a half minutes later when Matthew Tipoff beat Petes goaltender Trevor Cann with a hard shot from the top of the face-off circle. Marc Cantin picked up the lone assist on Tipoff’s first goal of the series. The goal seemed the gives the Bulls momentum, as they rebounded from their slow start to play a strong second half of the opening period. Stephen Johnston put Belleville ahead 2-1 with just over five minutes remaining in the opening frame when he jammed a rebound past Cann. Eric Tangradi assisted on Johnston’s second goal of the playoffs. It also turned out to be his second game winning goal of the series. Shots on goal in the first period were 10-9 Belleville, as they led 2-1 after one period of play.
The Bulls extended their lead to 3-1 on the power play six and a half minutes into the second period when Jan Mursak fired a quick shot from the slot between the pads of Cann. Matt Beleskey and P.K. Subban assisted on Mursak’s third goal of the series. Belleville enjoyed a strong period, controlling play for the majority of the middle frame. Peterborough did have a glorious chance to get back into the game late in the second period when they were awarded a five minute power play after a Beleskey cross-checking penalty. However, the Bulls penalty killing unit and Murphy were outstanding to keep the Petes off the scoreboard and preserve a 3-1 lead heading into the third period. Shots on goal in the second period were 11-10 in favour of the Bulls.
Belleville played a very strong defensive third period, limiting the Petes to very few quality scoring chances, as they pressed to get back into the game. Murphy was also excellent when called upon the preserve the victory. The Bulls were able to extend their lead to 4-1 with eight and a half minutes remaining in the game when Andrew Self fired a low, hard shot between the pads of Cann from the slot. Subban and Keaton Turkiewicz assisted on Self’s second goal of the series. Johnston then scored his second goal of the game just 30 seconds later when he intercepted a Peterborough clearing pass and beat Cann with a backhand as he skated towards the net. The goal was Johnston’s third of the series, surpassing his entire regular season total of two. Belleville then went ahead 6-1 with two minutes remaining in the game on the power play when Nigel Williams beat Cann with a shot just inside the goalpost from the top of the face-off circle. Turkiewicz and Cory Tanaka assisted on Williams’ third goal of the series. Bryan Cameron then rounded out the scoring just 19 seconds later when he stole the puck behind the Peterborough net and beat Cann on a wraparound for his second goal of the playoffs. Shots on goal in the third period were 13-10 Peterborough and overall favoured the Petes 32-31.
Murphy was again very strong in goal for the Bulls, stopping 31 shots to earn the victory while Cann made 24 saves in a losing effort for the Petes. Belleville finished the game two for six on the power play while Peterborough failed to convert in three chances with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Johnston, Tipoff, and Murphy. The Bulls will now have some time off to prepare for their second round opponent. Be sure to continue checking bellevillebulls.com for more a second round opponent and schedule when available. Tickets for the second round will go on sale at the Bulls Box Office beginning on Wednesday, March 26.
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