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Bulls Defeat Rangers 2-1 to Force Game Six
 Mike Murphy made 41 saves to help the Belleville Bulls defeat the Kitchener Rangers 2-1 Thursday night in Kitchener.
The Belleville Bulls kept the 2008 Rogers OHL Championship Series alive with a 2-1 victory over the Kitchener Rangers Thursday night in Kitchener. The Bulls put forth a gritty effort and received sensational goaltending from Mike Murphy to win their second consecutive game in the series. Game six will now be played Saturday night at the Yardmen Arena.
The two sides played an extremely past paced opening period of play, forcing both Murphy and Rangers goaltender Josh Unice to make several great stops to keep the game scoreless. The Bulls enjoyed two power plays during the opening half of the period but could not capitalize and take the lead. Kitchener pressed heavily during the closing moments of the period but could not open the scoring. Shots on goal in the first period were 11-8 in favour of the Rangers.
The fast paced but tight checking play continued well into the second period. Belleville’s penalty killing was strong to begin the period, killing off two early Rangers power plays. It was the Bulls who finally opened the scoring with just over two minutes remaining in the middle frame when Cory Tanaka took a pass from Bryan Cameron and snapped a hard shot over the shoulder of Unice as he skated towards the Kitchener net. Adam Perry also assisted on Tanaka’s seventh goal of the playoffs. The goal marked the first time in the series that Belleville had opening the scoring in a game. Murphy was outstanding during the second period to help the Bulls hold a 1-0 lead heading into the final twenty minutes of play. Shots on goal in the second period were 12-6 Kitchener.
Kitchener quickly tied the score just 17 seconds into the third period on the power play when Justin Azevedo one-timed a low, hard shot past Murphy from the face-off circle. The Rangers then pressed for the go ahead goal but Murphy continued his strong play to keep the score tied 1-1. The Bulls were able to retake the lead with six and a half minutes remaining in the third period on a power play of their own when Eric Tangradi was alone at the side of the net to fire a rebound from a Matt Beleksey point shot past Unice. P.K. Subban also assisted on Tangradi’s sixth goal of the playoffs and third in as many games. The assist extended Beleskey’s point streak to 18 games. Kitchener pressed furiously over the final minutes to tie the score but could not beat Murphy and the Bulls defence. Belleville also killed off a late penalty to skate away with a 2-1 victory. Shots on goal in the third period were 19-7 Kitchener and overall favoured the Rangers 42-21.
Murphy was terrific in goal for the Bulls, making 41 saves in the victory while Unice was also strong, stopping 19 shots in a losing effort for the Rangers. The Bulls finished the game one for four on the power play while Kitchener converted once in five opportunities with the man advantage. The three stars of the game were Murphy, Unice, and Tangradi. The series now shifts back to Belleville for the final game at the Yardmen Arena this season on Saturday night. Game time is 7:15 on and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office.
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