After being
down 0-3 to the Ontario Reign in Southern California, the Bulls hoofed it back
to tie up the game only to lose in a Shoot Out last night, Friday, February 8th.
This was the exact opposite of Wednesday’s game and a prime example of what the
team can do when they set their sights to winning.
Hans Benson had
received a one-game suspension for fighting in the last five minutes of
Wednesday’s game, so he was out. This is standard ECHL procedure and to be
expected. Peter Sivak was also scratched due to flu-like symptoms. I only hope
he’s back very soon. During the game, Jordan Clendenning and Scott Langdon ran
into each other and Langdon left the game for a while, but returned,
fortunately.
Dean
Ouellet, Jordan Morrison and Chris Carlson all scored for the Bulls. Ouellet
and Carlson were also able to score in the Shoot Out, though the Reign got one
more past Taylor Nelson, who, in spite of this, did a great job.
The one
thing that did drag the team down, especially in the beginning, were penalties.
They simply must do a better job at disciplining themselves. Games with the
Reign are always filled with emotion, so I know this isn’t always easy. The two
teams dislike each other intensely. Need I say there’s more hatred towards
these two teams than any rival team with the Bulls? Jonathan Lessard broke a pane of
glass out with his stick in the Third Period, as an example. However, their
heads have to be in the right place, and thank goodness this is the two teams
final match up until the playoffs when we may be playing them again.
On the
upside, they’re playing like a team once more, which is what they need to do
for the remainder of the season. They won’t have any more of those nasty
six-day breaks any longer; they seem to hurt more than help.
+++++
The Bulls
play two games against the Bakersfield Condors starting tonight, Saturday at
the Barn. This weekend the team wear special jerseys in Sharks’ teal, which
will go on auction or raffle. So be there for your chance to purchase them!
GO BULLS!
