|
Bulls Set Club Point Record with 3-1 Win in Plymouth
 Mike Murphy made 36 saves to lead the Belleville Bulls to a 3-1 victory over the Plymouth Whalers Saturday night in Plymouth.
The Belleville Bulls established a new record for points in a season with a 3-1 victory over the Plymouth Whalers Saturday night in Plymouth. The win gives the Bulls 92 points and a 2-1 record on their West Division road trip. The previous record of 90 points had been set during the 1999-2000 season. The victory is just the fourth all-time against the Whalers franchise on the road in 18 games.
Despite playing their third game in as many nights, the Bulls came out hard to begin the game and skated well throughout the opening period. Both Mike Murphy and Whalers goaltender Jeremy Smith were very strong when called upon during the opening half of the period to keep the game scoreless. It was the Whalers who opened the scoring on the power play with five and a half minutes remaining in the period when Chris Terry one-timed a rocket shot past Murphy from the top of the face-off circle. Despite allowing the opening goal, Belleville continued to work hard and were rewarded with a bizarre goal with just three seconds remaining in the period. The goal occurred when Nigel Williams fired a shot on Smith from just outside the blueline that the Whalers goaltender easily handled. Smith then when to play the puck and kill off the remainder of the period but inadvertently played it off his own defender and into the net. Williams was given credit for his 14th goal of the season. Shots on goal in the first period were 14-7 Belleville.
The fast paced, end to end play continued into the second period, as both Murphy and Smith were each outstanding to keep the game tied 1-1. The Bulls were finally able to break the deadlock with just over two minutes remaining in the middle frame when Bryan Cameron one-timed a Cory Tanaka pass past Smith from the slot for what turned out to be the eventual game winning goal. Marc Cantin also assisted on Cameron’s career high 34th goal of the season. Shots on goal in the second period favoured the Bulls 15-14.
The Bulls penalty killing unit was the story of the third period, as they killed off five consecutive Whalers power plays to help preserve the victory. Belleville was shorthanded a season high on nine times during the game. Murphy also continued his strong play to help the Bulls skate away with the win. Eric Tangradi rounded out the scoring when he intercepted a pass and fired the puck into the empty net while shorthanded with two minutes remaining in the game. Shots on goal in the third period were 16-9 Plymouth but overall favoured the Bulls 38-37.
Murphy was excellent in goal for Belleville, stopping 36 shots to earn his 32nd victory of the season. Smith also played a strong game for Plymouth, making 35 saves in a losing effort. The Bulls finished scoreless in five power play chances while holding the Whalers to just one goal in nine attempts with the man advantage. Belleville also added a shorthanded goal. The three stars of the game were Murphy, Terry, and Tanaka. With the win, the Bulls improve their record to 43-13-4-2 while the Whalers drop to 32-24-2-3 with the defeat. Belleville is now off until Wednesday night when they will host the Ottawa 67’s for the final time this regular season. Game time is 7:00pm at the Yardmen Arena and tickets are available at the Bulls Box Office. Wednesday’s game is sponsored by GoodLife Fitness and will be shown live on Rogers Sportsnet.
| 
