Belleville Bulls @ Brampton Battalion January 12, 2012

Belleville Bulls @ Brampton Battalion January 12, 2012

Coming in to the game Vs Brampton the Bulls had been losers of their last 5 games, including a New Years Day game against the Battalion. As for Brampton they had not had a loss in regulation in their last 12. If the playoffs where to start before this game this would be a 1st round match up. With the Troops being the 2nd seed and the Toro's being the 7th.
Before the game Gm/Coach Burnett said Bulls #1 goalie Malcolm Subban who was ranked the number 1 keeper eligible for the 2012 NHL entry draft by Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings for CHL players, would return next week, if everything goes well. So after a good performance last Saturday in a tough 3-2 loss to the 67's Bulls rookie net minder Charlie Graham got the start. Earlier in the week it was announced that Graham would not be rejoining the Wellington Dukes and will spend the rest of the year with the Bulls, giving the Bulls 3 goalie's with Graham joining Subban & veteran John Chartrand. The 1752 in attendance would also get to see three other Bulls recently ranked by Central Scouting, Brendan Gaunce -11th, Daniil Zarkov -19th, and Garrett Hooey -61st. Jordan Mayer would play his first game for the Bulls after coming over from St.Mikes at the dead line.

In the 1st period it took the Bulls awhile to get going, allowing Brampton's big line to score 1st at 5:22, Goodrow from Watters and Bell. The Bulls did not register a shot till Adam Payrel potted his 13th unassisted at 9:31. Belleville was not taking lots of shots but they were making them count, on just their 2nd shot of the game, just over a minute later (10:41) Luke Judson lit the lamp for his 12th from newcomer Mayer and Jason Shaw. The 1st ended with Brampton out shooting the Bulls 7-5 but the visitors where up 2-1.

The 2nd period belonged to Charlie Graham with the Troops firing 22 shots his way. Burnett's bunch chased The Battalion starter Matej Machovsky after he gave up his third goal on six shots to Joseph Cramarossa (7) also the first shot the Bulls took in the period from Austen Brassard & Gaunce. The Apple gives Brassard points in 11 straight games. The Troops got one more by Graham ,Patrik Machac scoring from Philip Lane and former Bull Brett Mackie. to make the score 3-2. In the second the Battalion out shot Belleville 22-8, with Graham looking real good and making up for some sloppy play by the Bulls defence core.

In the third the Bulls seem to come alive a bit outshooting the home side 13-8. Overall Brampton out shot the Bulls 37-26. Belleville went 0/2 on the PP & 1/1 on the PK. This was a great game by Charlie Graham against a real good Brampton Team, He earned First Star honours ,in his first OHL win. Bulls get ready to face Sudbury Saturday night at the Yardman.