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Bulls Rebound to Defeat Petes 3-2
 Shawn Matthias had a the game winning goal and an assist in the Belleville Bulls 3-2 victory over the Peterborough Petes Thursday night in Peterborough.
One night after their worst defensive performance of the season, the Belleville Bulls rebounded, allowing a season low 22 shots in a 3-2 victory over the Peterborough Petes Thursday in Peterborough. The Bulls are now a perfect 3-0 against Peterborough this season and have allowed just three goals against in those games against their East Division rival. The win also allows the Bulls to move back into first place in the Eastern Conference.
It was the Petes who got off to a quick start just 80 seconds into the game when Brett Theberge’s pass hit a skate of a Bulls defender and deflected between the pads of goaltender Edward Pasquale to open the scoring. Peterborough’s lead did not last long, as just 19 seconds later, the Bulls tied the score when former Pete Brendan Taylor picked up a loose puck in the slot and fired a quick shot past Petes goaltender Trevor Cann. Bryan Cameron earned the lone assist on Taylor’s second goal of the season. Belleville then took the lead eight minutes into the period on a delayed penalty when Shawn Matthias’ shot hit a skate and deflected right to Matt Beleskey at the side of the Petes goal. The Bulls Captain quickly one-timed the puck past Cann for his 10th goal of the season. P.K. Subban also assisted on the goal. The Bulls defence was outstanding during the opening frame, as they limited the Petes offence to virtually no quality scoring chances. Shots on goal in the first period were 11-3 Belleville.
The two sides played to a tight checking, scoreless second period, as neither side was able to take advantage of the scoring chances that were generated. Both Pasquale and Cann were solid when called upon in goal for their respective sides. Shots on goal in second period were 9-9.
Belleville came out hard looking for an insurance goal to begin the third period but could not beat Cann. However, they were rewarded with a series of power plays and finally made the Petes pay with seven minutes remaining in the stanza when Matthias was able to poke the puck under Cann after the Petes goaltender had misplayed it. Beleskey and Subban assisted on Matthias’ team leading 12th goal of the season. Peterborough did make things very interesting with a power play goal of their own with just over a minute remaining when Pat Daley one-timed a hard shot from the slot past Pasquale. That was as close as the Petes would get, as Belleville then able to hold off any last minute attacks to skate away with the 3-2 win. Shots on goal in the third period were 14-10 Belleville and overall favoured the Bulls 34-22.
Pasquale enjoyed a solid game in goal for the Bulls, stopping 20 shots to earn his third victory of the season while Cann made 31 saves in a losing effort for Peterborough. The Bulls finished the game one for six on the power play while Peterborough also converted once in four chances with the man advantage. The three stats of the game were Matthias, Theberge, and Beleskey, all of whom had a goal and an assist. With the win, the Bulls improve their record to 11-4-1-1 and move past the Oshawa Generals for first place in the East Division. Peterborough drops to 8-8-0-1 with the loss. The Bulls now have a day off before hosting the league leading Kitchener Rangers on Saturday night in what should be an entertaining contest between two very talented teams. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets for the game are available at the Bulls Box Office. Fans are reminded to wear red to Saturday’s game in support of ‘Armed Forces Appreciation Night.’
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