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Bulls Lose Game Seven 4-1 to Kitchener
 Shawn Matthias returned to the lineup to score the Belleville Bulls lone goal in a 4-1 loss to the Kitchener Rangers Monday night in Kitchener.
The Belleville Bulls 2008 OHL Playoff run came to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Kitchener Rangers in game seven of the Rogers OHL Championship Series Monday night in Kitchener. The win gives the Rangers a 4-3 series victory and the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions. Both the Bulls and Rangers will now compete for the Memorial Cup May 16-25 in Kitchener.
It was the Rangers who came out quick to begin the game, forcing Bulls goaltender Mike Murphy to make several great stops to keep the game scoreless. Kitchener’s defence was also very strong, limiting the Bulls to very little offensively during the opening twenty minutes of play. The Rangers were able to open the scoring with just over two minutes remaining in the first period when Brandon Mashinter banged a rebound from a Scott Timmins shot past Murphy. Shots on goal in the first period were 21-9 Kitchener.
Kitchener quickly grabbed a 2-0 lead on the power play just a minute and a half into the second period when Nick Spaling slid a loose past Murphy from the top of the crease. The Rangers pressed to extend their lead but Murphy was again outstanding to keep the score 2-0. The Bulls were able to pull within one goal on the power play with just over six minutes remaining when Shawn Matthias snapped a shot past Josh Unice from the face-off circle. Matthias was making his playoff debut for Belleville after a bout of mononucleosis. Shawn Lalonde and Mike Murphy assisted on the goal. Both clubs skated hard for the remainder of the period but could not generate much offence while Murphy and Unice were solid when called upon. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the Rangers 15-9.
The Bulls pressed early in the third period to get back level but could not penetrate Kitchener’s defence. The Rangers then extended their lead to 3-1 just over six minutes into the final frame when Mikkel Boedker jumped on a turnover before passing the puck to Nazem Kadri. Kadri fired a shot that Murphy could only get a piece of as the puck deflected overtop of the Bulls goaltender and into the net. Kitchener then played terrific defensive hockey for the remainder of the period, limiting Belleville to very few quality scoring chances, as the Bulls pressed to get back into the game. Murphy also continued his spectacular play in the final period, making several great saves to keep the Rangers lead at two goals. Mike Duco rounded out the scoring with just under one minute remaining in the game when he fired the puck into the empty net. Shots on goal in the third period were 15-9 Kitchener and overall favoured the Rangers 51-27.
Murphy was tremendous in goal for the Bulls, making 47 saves in a losing effort while Unice was also very strong, stopping 26 shots in the victory for the Rangers. The Bulls finished the game one for two on the power play while Kitchener converted once in three opportunities with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Kitchener defenceman Ben Shutron, Murphy, and Unice. The Bulls will now prepare for the Memorial Cup beginning this week in Kitchener. Belleville will open the tournament on Saturday, May 17 against the Western Hockey League Champion Spokane Chiefs. Game time is 4:00pm in Kitchener and the game can be seen live on Rogers Sportsnet.
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