Belleville Bulls @ Kingston Frontenacs, Friday March 16, 2012
The Belleville Bulls have picked the right time to turn the ship around. After Wednesday nights 3-2 OT win over the visiting Oshawa Generals, The Toro's knew what they had to do to avoid a 1st round playoff death match with the Niagara Icedogs. They had to win both of their remaining games and they did. They defeated the Frontenacs 4-3 in a shoot out in Kingston Friday night, followed by a 2-0 home win over the Sudbury Wolves on Saturday evening. With the Victories the Bulls improved their record to 35-32-1-0 with 71 points. The Bulls did everything they could and were rewarded as they finish the season in 7th and will now face the Ottawa 67's in the 1st round.
In Kingston, to no ones surprise the Bulls would start Malcolm Subban. Kingston would answer with their Regular season MVP, OA Russian import Igor Bobkov. earlier in the week Igor was named in the Eastern Conferences coaches poll. With 10 points he tied Frank Corrado of the Sudbury Wolves for 3rd Most Improved Player.
Both goalies played well in the game. Bobkov faced 34 shots in regulation and OT and stopped 31. In the shootout he stopped Brendan Gaunce before allowing the shootout winner to Bulls OA Adam Payerl. The winner had to be reviewed but it stood.Malcolm Subban was also named in the Coaches Poll, Malcolm tied Belleville native Kevin Bailie of the Oshawa Generals for the 3rd Best Puck handling Goalie honours. Subban made 34 saves on 37 shots. But it was in the shootout Malcolm showed why he also was named Best Shootout Goalie in the Coaches Poll. He stopped all three of the Fronts shooters, leading scorer Darcy Greenaway, former Bull and Fronts Captain Cody Alcock and Super Rookie Ryan Kujawinski. With the 3 stops Subban is now 12/12 in shootouts and the Bulls improved to 5-0 in shootouts.
The Kingston faithful of 2571 had thought they had a victory when Conner Stokes slipped one past Subban in overtime, only to have the goal disallowed.
Kingston got goals from David Mazurek his 7th and two from Billy Jenkins his 9th and 10th. Ryan Kujawinski had two assists and now has 6 points in four games Vs Belleville this season. Michael Moffat, Stokes, and Tervor Morbeck added single helpers.
For Belleville it was defence men Brady Austin with his 5th, a real beauty of a goal. A nice rush by the big man, something he has been doing a lot of recently, something we hope he keeps up. Austin also scored his 6th. Bulls import Daniil Zharkov netted his 23 on the PP. The Bulls got helpers from Luke Judson, Jordan Mayer, Micheal Curtis, Stephen Silas and Brendan Gaunce, who was also named in the Coaches Poll as the 3rd Best Play maker.
The Bulls PP went 1/6 and the PK went 5/5. Bulls win 4-3 in a Shootout3 Stars 1- Kingstons Billy Jenkins 3- Bellevilles Brady Austin 2- Kingstons Ryan Kujawinski
Belleville Bulls Vs Sudbury Wolves Saturday March 17, 2012
Belleville would finish 12-9 in their last 21 games. What does this mean ?
It means the goal the Belleville Bulls set for them selves on Feb 3rd to break their last 21 games down in to three 7 game series and win the 3 series, they would be a playoff team. Two games before it was over the Bulls knew they would be in. But they still didn't know where they would finish. So after a strong game Vs the Wolves that the Bulls won 2-0, The answer was division rival the Ottawa 67's.
Saturday night started in Belleville with the Bulls 3 over age players Jordan Mayer, Adam Payerl and Captain Luke Judson being honoured for their time in the OHL and with the Bulls. Also before the game Captain Luke Judson was awarded the Jake Gilmour awarded. The "Gilly" is voted on by the fans and is awarded to the player who best demonstrates the qualities that Gilmour exhibited as a valued and extremely popular member of the team from 2001-2003. The "Beast from the East" always showed pride in the Bulls jersey, a love of the game, and equal respect for teammates opponents and fans. Luke Judson does all these things.
Judson is only the second 3 year Captain in Team History, the other being the Bulls 1st Captain Dunc MacIntyre, who also holds the honour of having his number 15 hang from the rafters the only Bull to have that honour. Its very fitting that Judson won this award for the 3rd straight season.
Sudbury would start Joel Vienneau and he was very good stopping 34 of the 36 shots he faced. But in this goaltender's duel it was Malcolm Subban who stole the show. Subban was great for the Bulls in his 19th start in a row, making 39 saves for his 3rd shut out of the season.
Coming in to the playoffs Malcolm is looking real strong something the Bulls need if they hope to have any success. Subban finishes the season with some good numbers. In 39 games played he has a 2.50GAA and a .923SV% to go along with a 25-14-0-0-0 record.
Both of the Bulls goals were scored in the last ten minutes of the 3rd by Adam Payerl his 21st and 22nd in his last regular season OHL game. Brendan Gaunce, Carter Sandlak and Jason Shaw drew assists. Jason Shaw played what was easily his best game in the OHL.
The PP went 0/2 and the PK went 5/5. Attendance: 2532
3 Stars - 1- Bulls Malcolm Subban 2- Bulls Adam Payerl 3- Wolves Joel Vienneau
Belleville starts the Playoffs Thursday night in Ottawa.
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