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Bulls Fall 5-2 to Kitchener in Series Opener
 P.K. Subban scored the Belleville Bulls opening goal in a 5-2 loss to the Kitchener Rangers Wednesday night in Kitchener.
Three unanswered second period goals were the difference, as the Kitchener Rangers defeated the Belleville Bulls 5-2 Wednesday night in Kitchener. The win gives the Rangers a 1-0 series lead in the Rogers OHL Championship with game two now shifting back to Belleville on Friday night.
Kitchener came out flying to begin the game, forcing Bulls goaltender Mike Murphy to make several great stops to keep the game scoreless. The Rangers were able to open the scoring five and a half minutes into the game when Mikkel Boedker was left alone in the slot to wire a quick shot past Murphy. Belleville was able to tie the score with nine and a half minutes remaining in the period when P.K. Subban skated into the Rangers zone and beat Kitchener goaltender Josh Unice with a slapshot from just inside the blueline for his seventh goal of the playoffs. The goal seemed to give the Bulls momentum, as they dictated the play for the remainder of the period. Belleville had numerous great scoring chances during the final half of the period but could not beat Unice who was outstanding in net for the Rangers. Shots on goal in the first period were 17-9 in favour of the Bulls.
The Rangers again came out fast to begin the period and were rewarded with a pair of early goals. Nazem Kadri gave Kitchener a 2-1 lead while shorthanded on a beautiful individual effort. Kadri stole the puck in the neutral zone before beating a Bulls defender and Murphy for a highlight reel goal. The Rangers increased their lead just 53 seconds later on an odd man rush when Matt Pepe one-timed a shot from the slot between the pads of Murphy. The Bulls tried to get back into the game but could not beat Unice. Kitchener then went ahead 4-1 with five minutes remaining in the period while on the power play when Nick Spaling was able to tap a loose puck at the top of the crease just past the goal line. On the goal, Murphy seemed to hurt himself in the Bulls net and was replaced by Parker Van Buskirk. Belleville had a glorious chance to get back into the game late in the second period but were unable to capitalize on a four minute power play advantage, as the Rangers led 4-1 heading into the final twenty minutes of play. Shots on goal in the second period were 13-8 Kitchener.
The Bulls pressed to cut into the lead but it was the Rangers who scored their fourth consecutive goal seven minutes into the third period when Spaling took a pass from Matt Halischuk and fired the puck past Van Buskirk on a Kitchener odd man rush. Belleville was able to cut the lead back to 5-2 just 33 seconds later when Nigel Williams one-timed a Jan Mursak pass from the slot on a Bulls three on two rush. Matt Beleskey also assisted on Williams’ sixth goal of the playoffs. The assist extended Beleskey’s point streak to a league high 14 games. Belleville did press during the remainder of the game but could not beat Unice and the Rangers defence to get any closer. Shots on goal in the third period were 11-5 Belleville and overall favoured the Bulls 36-27.
Murphy and Van Buskirk combined to make 22 saves in a losing effort while Unice was excellent, stopping 34 shots to earn the victory for Kitchener. The Bulls failed to score in five power play chances while Kitchener converted once in four opportunities with the man advantage. The Rangers also added a shorthanded goal. The three stars of the game were Spaling, Boedker, and Unice. Game two of the series will be played back in Belleville on Friday night. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets for all home games in the series are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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