|
Bulls Fall 5-3 to Rangers in Game Three
 Parker Van Buskirk made 45 saves in the Belleville Bulls 5-3 loss to the Kitchener Rangers Sunday in Kitchener.
Three Kitchener Rangers power play goals were the difference, as a late Belleville Bulls comeback fell short in a 5-3 loss Sunday in Kitchener. The Rangers now lead the best of seven series 3-0. The Bulls cut a three goal Rangers lead to just one late in the third period but could not get any closer. The series will now shift back to Belleville for game four on Tuesday night.
The Bulls enjoyed a good few opening shifts before early penalty troubles derailed their hope for a quick start. Kitchener was able to open the scoring just over four minutes into the game on the power play when Mike Duco tipped a Nazem Kadri shot just past Bulls goaltender Parker Van Buskirk. The goal seemed to give Kitchener momentum, as they dominated the remainder of the period. Despite significant pressure and numerous quality scoring chances, the Rangers were unable to extend their lead thanks to some sensational goaltending from Van Buskirk. Shots on goal in the first period were 23-11 Kitchener.
Belleville got off to a much better start to the second period, as they limited the Rangers to few scoring opportunities during the first half of the middle frame. The Bulls were able to tie the score ten minutes into the period when Stephen Johnston broke into the Kitchener zone after taking a pass from Nigel Williams and snapped a low, hard shot between the pads of Rangers goaltender Josh Unice for his fifth goal of the playoffs. Shortly after tying the score, Belleville found themselves in penalty trouble once again and Kitchener made them pay with a pair of power play goals. Matt Halischuk put the Rangers ahead 2-1 when he tipped a Justin Azevedo point shot past Van Buskirk. Nick Spaling then tipped a Yannick Weber point shot past Van Buskirk less than four minutes later to increase Kitchener’s lead to 3-1. The Bulls power play continued to struggle in the middle frame, as they were unable to penetrate the Rangers strong penalty kill. Shots on goal in the second period were 16-10 Kitchener.
Kitchener was able to extend their lead to 4-1 nine minutes into the third period when Scott Tregunna tipped Robert Bortuzzo’s point shot past Van Buskirk. Despite being down three goals, the Bulls did not quit and were able to get themselves back into the game. Jan Mursak cut the lead to 4-2 with nine minutes remaining when he blasted a shot past Unice from the high slot. Williams picked up his second assist of the game on Mursak’s ninth goal of the season. Belleville’s power play finally got on the scoreboard with just under three minutes remaining when Eric Tangradi backhanded a shot past Unice from the top of the crease. Matt Beleskey and Adam Perry assisted on Tangradi’s fourth goal of the playoffs. The assist extended Beleskey’s playoff point streak to 16 games. The Bulls comeback bid was short-lived, as Duco took a Mikkel Boedker pass and slipped the puck past Van Buskirk just 40 seconds later to restore the Rangers two goal advantage. Belleville pressed during the remainder of the game to cut into the Kitchener lead but could not beat Unice, as the Rangers skated away with the 5-3 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 11-8 Kitchener and overall favoured the Rangers 50-29.
Van Buskirk was excellent in goal for Belleville, stopping 45 shots in a losing effort while Unice made 26 saves in the win for Kitchener. The Bulls power play finished the game one for seven while Kitchener scored three times in six chances with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Duco. Tregunna, and Van Buskirk. The Bulls will now try to extend the series on Tuesday night when they will play host to game four. Game time is 7:15pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office.
| 
