The Belleville Bulls made their first visit to the Gatorade Garden City Complex this evening to take on the Niagara IceDogs. The Bulls came into the contest with the top record in the eastern conference at 19-8-2-2, while the IceDogs are trying to shake a two game losing skid. The two teams were without their big guns as it was announced earlier today that IceDogs star Stefan Legein, and Belleville players Shawn Matthias and P.K Subban were all named to the Canadian roster for the World Junior Championships to be held later this month in the Czech Republic. However, even with Legein, Matthias and Subban out of the lineup, the game still featured four players among the league's top twenty in scoring: Matt Beleskey and Eric Tangradi of the Bulls and Luca Caputi and Michael Swift of the IceDogs.
It was a fast paced first period, as both teams came flying out of the gates with lots of energy. The IceDogs had their chances early in the game but they were not able to capitalize until forward Chris DeSousa (9) scored at the 17:19 mark of the first to open the scoring. DeSousa was set up beautifully by Matthew Sisca and Jason Bergeron, before wiring a shot over the glove of Belleville goaltender Mike Murphy, for the 1-0 IceDogs lead.
The second period was much like the first; fast paced, lots of icing and tight checking. The IceDogs managed to fire more shots then the Bulls, but it was Belleville who scored the loan goal of the period. Forward Bryan Cameron (16) took the pass from captain Matt Beleskey, came out from behind the net, before putting the backhand shot by IceDogs goaltender Andrew Loverock to tie the game at one.
Andrew Loverock was the star for the IceDogs in the third period, making one great stop after another, as the Bulls made a valiant effort to break the tie. The IceDogs on the other hand, did not manage to get a shot on goal until the 14:45 mark of the third period and when they did the Belleville goaltender made a fantastic stop on a bullet shot by Luca Caputi to keep the game tied. In a period dominated by the Bulls, the IceDogs were fortunate to be headed to overtime.
It was the IceDogs who came out in the overtime period on a mission. The Dogs kept the play in the Bulls end and it paid off. After two failed clearing attempts by the Bulls, Jason Bergeron (3) put his head down, won the puck off the Bulls player, fought his way to the front of the net and managed to get it by Murphy on a goal line scramble that ended with both Bergeron and the puck in the net. Bergeron was swarmed by his teammates after the goal and for good reason as the IceDogs picked up a big win against the eastern conference leading Bulls.
Jason Bergeron was named the first star of the game for his game winning goal and an assist earlier in the game on the DeSousa goal. The second star of the game went to Andrew Loverock who was stellar in net for the IceDogs stopping 32 of 33 shots he faced. Rounding out the three stars was Belleville goalie Mike Murphy who had a good game in net as well, stopping 20 of 22 shots.
With the win the IceDogs improve to 17-14-0-1 while the Bulls drop to 19-8-3-2 on the season. The IceDogs will be back in action tomorrow night as they take on their division rivals, the Barrie Colts at 7:30 p.m at the Gatorade Garden City Complex. Fans are reminded to bring along their teddy bears to the game to toss out on the ice when the IceDogs score the first goal, as part of the first annual IceDogs Teddy Bear Toss. It is your last chance to see the Dogs in action before the Christmas break so come out and support your team. Tickets for this game and all other IceDogs games can be purchased at the Customer Service Desk at the Pen Centre or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca.
GO-DOGS-GO!
Brianne Whitty
Media Relations
