By Andre Lodder
[1]KINGSTON, ONT (10/02/2012) - Belleville Bulls Goalie Malcolm Subban deflects a shot wide of the net during the first period of play at the K-Rock Centre in Kingston, Ont. A late goal by the Kingston Frontenacs pushed the game into overtime where the Bulls managed to best the Fronts 3-2 after Jake Worrad netted his second goal of the year. Photo by Devaan Ingraham
Goaltender Malcolm Subban is back and so are the wins for the Belleville Bulls.
With the return of the top-ranked draft-eligible goaltender in North America, the Bulls have managed to get back in the win column after winning just one game in all of January.
Subban has been nursing a groin injury that he suffered on Dec. 29 and didn’t play a single game in January.
Since his return, Subban has gone 3-1 with a 2.85 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.
Subban made his first start on home ice since Dec. 17 in a 3-1 routing of the Guelph Storm on Saturday Feb. 10.
Following the game Subban said how happy he is to be back in the lineup and helping the team get into the playoffs.
“It feels really good to be honest, just being back here and supporting the team,” said Subban. “We’re all clicking right now, and we just need to keep it up for the playoffs.”
The only blemish on Subban’s record since his return came in a 9-0 loss to the Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa 67’s on Sunday night. Subban let in three goals on 10 shots before being replaced in the first period by Charlie Graham.
Assistant coach Jake Grimes said he is confident Subban will get only better the more he plays.
“He’s still going to get a lot better than what you’ve seen in the last couple games. He’s still sort of on his way back to getting sharp,” said Grimes.
The Bulls have rallied behind Subban’s return, going 4-2 in the last six games.
While four wins and two losses isn’t anything to write home about, it’s certainly a step in the right direction for a Bulls team that has struggled in the new year.
“I think we should be winning again. We should expect to. We’ve had some tough times with injuries almost all year,” said Grimes.
“Maybe we won a little more than we should have at the start of the year but that‘s the way it goes. We may have lost a little more than we should have recently, but it should even out. I think we’re on our way up now and we need to be.”
With only 16 games left in the season the Bulls currently sit ninth in the Ontario Hockey League’s Eastern Conference but are only one point out of a playoff spot, and only two points behind the sixth seeded Oshawa Generals.
With the regular season nearing its end, Subban’s return is a big boost for a Bulls team eager to make the playoffs.
“He’s one of the best goalies in the country, one of the best in the world for his age,” said Grimes.
“What can I say? He’s one of the most important guys on the team.”
The Bulls will try to redeem themselves Wednesday evening as they play host to the Ottawa 67’s after losing 9-0 in Ottawa on Sunday. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. at Yardmen Arena in Belleville.