Coming out of a rough week where they probably deserved better, the Belleville Bulls will look to get themselves back in the playoff picture when they head to Niagara Thursday night to play the IceDogs. Despite going 0-3 last week, the Bulls put together some of their best hockey since starting the New Year, but when push came to shove they were unable to answer. All three losses came by a single goal, a type of game the Bulls were very comfortable with earlier in the season when they seemed to find ways to win those games.
“We did some good things but we have only ourselves to look at,” said Bulls’ Head Coach and General Manager, George Burnett, looking back to last week. “I don’t think we competed hard enough Sunday in Kingston. Our game Saturday was solid but still loose at times when you can’t afford to be loose. The shorthanded goal and even the delayed powerplay goal Murphy scored are ones that wouldn’t happen if we move our feet through the neaurtral zone and take away time and space.”
Sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference and just one point out of the playoff picture, Belleville will look to do something they haven’t done all year and beat the Niagara IceDogs. Belleville was shutout 5-0 in their last visit and are hoping to use that as a lesson to break out of the 1-9 funk they have been in over the last ten games.
A big part of that will be staying out of the penalty box and not allowing the IceDogs’ top-ranked powerplay to go to work. In their last meeting, Ryan Strome was the difference maker with a hat trick to pace Niagara to victory. This time around, the IceDogs will be without his services after suffering a facial injury. The Bulls will also not have to contend with the likes of Team Canada defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, as he is in the midst of serving a ten-game suspension.
“We have to play with great discipline, their powerplay is deadly,” said Burnett looking to Thursday night. “They might be missing some key players but they are very deep. It’s always a tough rink to make the transition but we have to limit the turnovers. Giving them extra time of possession with their skill level would be a huge mistake.”
Burnett and the Bulls know that despite Niagara missing some top guns, Thursday will not be any easier on them. Anything less than 100% effort, if not more, could spell disaster for the Bulls going down the stretch of the season. Niagara loaded up at the trade deadline ready to make a serious push through the playoffs, acquiring the services of Jamie Oleksiak on the blue line. Along with Freddie Hamilton and Mark Visentin, that makes five players on the Niagara roster who played for team Canada at the World Juniors.
Belleville might be without a couple of their players as well when they hit the ice Thursday night. Forward, Daniil Zharkov, is questionable after fighting flu-like symptoms this week. It has also been reported that Joseph Cramarossa, who has picked up four goals and two assists in eight games with Belleville, is listed as questionable.
On the bright side, returning from injury is veteran goaltender , John Chartrand. Chartrand had his first practice Tuesday afternoon and looked good so he is expected to get the start in net Thursday night. It will mark his first start in two weeks. Defenseman, Adam Bignell, is also set to make his return to the lineup.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00PM and the game can be listened to live on AM800 CJBQ and TV COGECO.
