The Belleville Bulls closed off their pre-season with a 3-0 win over the Ottawa 67’s. The Bulls pre-season record climbs to an impressive 5-1-0 while the 67’s record falls to 2-2-1. Both teams were playing with severely depleted lineups due to injuries and players who were invited to the main NHL training camps. The 67’s ended up with 12 skaters for the last 5 minutes of the game.
Captain Luke Judson got the Bulls off to an early start after he shot the puck high stick side past Karsten Pankhurst at the 4:05 minute mark of the first period. The Bulls formed a nice 2-on-1 press starting with Garrett Hooey and finishing with a perfect feed from Brendan Gaunce.
The Bulls continued to control the early part of the game until Taylor Fielding nearly tied it up, but rang the puck off the crossbar at the 9:45 minute mark in the first. That marked Ottawa’s first shot on net. The 67’s were able to develop more scoring chances near the end of the period, but the Bulls did a good job of deflecting or blocking the shot limiting Ottawa to 3 shots in the period. Karsten Pankhurst had to be sharp and was able to keep the Bulls to a one goal lead.
Nearly midway through the second period, Bulls goaltender Charlie Graham got his first OHL taste when he took over for Malcolm Subban. Despite playing better in the second period, the 67’s failed to get any pucks past either goaltender. Michael Curtis picked up a rebound off of Jason Shaw’s shot and fired it past Pankhurst for his first goal since returning from Vancouver Canucks rookie camp.
There was no love lost from the last time these two teams faced off in Belleville. Early in the third period 67’s rookie Derek Dallman made a late hit on Scott Simmonds and sparked some mayhem as the two lines came to their teammates’ aid. It ended up with Sean Callaghan and Adam Bignell squaring off in an extended bout. As fighting is not supported in pre-season both players were sent the showers early. Derek Dallman stayed down on the ice after suffering an undisclosed injury. He also received a 5 minute major and game misconduct for checking to the head. Disciplinary action may follow.
From all the excitement above, the Bulls came out with a 3 minute powerplay. Jason Shaw found a clear lane in front of Pankhurst, took advantage and shot the puck from the top of the faceoff circle and in.
Things continued to get chippy later in the game. Brett Gustavsen got under the skin off Jordan Subban who forcefully went after him but missed flattening him against the boards. A little later Ryan Van Stralen quickly dropped Brendan Gaunce as it looked like he lost his balance.
The 67’s will look to rebound September 23, 2011 as they open the regular season with a rematch against the rivalled Belleville Bulls ( 7:30pm).
SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
BEL - 4:05 - Luke Judson (Brendan Gaunce, Garrett Hooey)
Second Period
BEL - 11:48 - Michael Curtis (Jason Shaw)
Third Period
BEL - 6:43 - Jason Shaw (Adam Guy, Alex Carnevale) PP
Shots on Goal
OTT - 19 BEL - 26
Powerplays
OTT - 0 for 3 BEL - 1 for 4
Goaltenders
OTT - Karsten Pankhurst (23 saves on 26 shots)
BEL - Malcolm Subban (9 saves on 9 shots) & Charlie Graham (10 saves on 10 shots)
Three stars as selected by the Team 1200
AROUND THE O’
Brampton Battalion 6 at Guelph Storm 4
Windsor Spitfires 4 at Sarnia Sting 4
Barrie Colts 5 at Sudbury Wolves 5
Saginaw Spirit 0 at Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 2
Pictures from the game
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